Minimum thickness of top for a semi-hollow

I would like to build a guitar with double chambers and f-holes in the top plate. I have some flame maple but it is only 0.150" thick. Is this too thin, resulting in a fragile guitar?

I would like to build a guitar with double chambers and f-holes in the top plate. I have some flame maple but it is only 0.150" thick. Is this too thin, resulting in a fragile guitar?

That is too thin IMO. It will be super prone to warping, cracking, and breaking.

Most drop tops are 1/4" thick. I wouldn't go any thinner than 3/16".

I don't think it's an issue. The 'acousticaster' I did two build-offs ago was probably less than that and acoustic tops tend to run around .120" or less and have a lot more unsupported area.
OTOH, nothing wrong with adding some veneer around the 'f' holes for insurance.

I don't think it's an issue. The 'acousticaster' I did two build-offs ago was probably less than that and acoustic tops tend to run around .120" or less and have a lot more unsupported area.
OTOH, nothing wrong with adding some veneer around the 'f' holes for insurance.

Could you post a link to that build so I can check it out? I was thinking of making the chambers only as big as needed for the controls chamber and so the f-holes actually are in an empty portion of the body. I have all kinds of veneer I could use to build up the f-hole area. I believe the flame maple I have is large enough that I would have enough waste that I could use to reinforce the top. I will have check on that.

Thanks for the input fellas.

Maricopa, I found your build thread but none of the photos appear!

My provider recently deleted all my uploaded images so the build thread is pretty useless. Here's some pics though.
http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/Final_6.jpg
http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/Final_21.jpg
http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/medium/Final_1.jpg
and a YouTube vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTJKw2HnAiM

It's standard thickness with the back hogged out pretty much everywhere but the upper bout, horn and under the bridge. The back was left about 3/8" or so.

Wow! A true beauty! Thanks for posting that.

Thanks, it was one of my favorites and I really miss it.
I'm planning a guitar similar to yours actually, hollowed out double-f Tele with two P-90s. Might even keep that one.

I was inspired by Scubadoo's chambered build which I think is a real winner! I have two P-90's in a humbucker size body that I am thinking of using.

You could laminate the entire top to another substrate of a contrasting wood. Then if you bind the edges and f-holes, no one knows. If you go faux binding, you have a nice 2-tone, detailed edge.

Mark

Thanks Guitarnut but I don't have any other thin lumber that I could use. I will have to see if I have anything I could plane down thin enough for laminating.

That's a good idea Mark, similar to how side ports are often done. http://www.constantines.com/ and others sell dyed veneers that would work perfect.

Thanks for the added input. I am taking notes.