Re-bodied Warwick Corvette $$

[Jacqueslemac]

My Nirvana black Corvette is the one I've had the longest and I bought it mainly because I couldn't find a natural-finished one.



To cut a long story short, I came across a young luthier who is just starting out and, although he is building acoustic guitars, he does quite a few replacement bodies.

An example:





I've decided to bite the bullet and commission him to build a couple of replacement bodies for me.

The first one will be a straight replica in olive rippled ash:


But... I've also decided to let him loose on something slightly different.

It'll be the same Corvette body shape, because it's my favourite of all the Warwick body shapes.

However, it'll be a constructional veneer (i.e. layers) of Mexican rosewood, zebrano and brown oak. The layers will be sanded to create a "burst" effect and the control knobs and strap buttons will be recessed, also revealing the different layers.

He's also going to experiment to see whether a German carve (a la PRS) will look good.

I've asked him to take plenty of photos as it develops.

[charic]

Sounds really interesting

[Jacqueslemac]

Alex has started on the CNC machine to make up the jig from which he'll make the new body:






And here is the jig starting to take shape on the bench:




The best bit is that the wood has also arrived:

Edited May 26, 2013 by Jacqueslemac

[Jacqueslemac]

More progress.

The (I think he said 27) layers of wood have been glued and topped with a layer of rosewood:


The layers have been rough-sawn into shape:






He's started sanding through the different layers on the back:








...and routing the front for the pickups, bridge and neck:

[CHRISDABASS]

Wow!!

That looks amazing!!

Can't wait to see the finished bodies!!

[AntLockyer]

Looking forward to see what they turn out like, I can't picture it in my head.

[LukeFRC]

having had a brief facination with old japanese basses ply wood was something you avoided - it's interesting that your luthier goes for it.

[3below]

There's plywood and multi laminate body construction. Two totally different things depending on cost and fashion [size=4] [/size]

[Jacqueslemac]

And now for some photos of the olive ash body:













Just going by the photos, I'm a little underwhelmed by this one, given my main bass is this one:


But I'll reserve judgement until I've seen it for real.

[mart]

That looks very interesting. Are you going for a concave curve on the back of the laminate body, like on a Streamer or Thumb? That would make a great improvement to the 'vette body.

[Jacqueslemac]

To be honest, I did mention it last year, but hadn't done so since.

I had suggested him having a go at a German carve (like PRS does) on the front to show off the layers of the laminate.

For the multi-layered one, I just told him to push the boat out and see what he came up with, so if he's done a rear carve, that's fine by me!

[Myke]

I really love the second body. The grain is lovely

[Jacqueslemac]

More pix:









He says he plans to start the four-day oiling process on Friday. This should bring the grain out even more.

[Horizontalste]

I like how its looking, can't wait to see the finished product.

[Jacqueslemac]

Alex has started on the new neck for the multi-layered one.

He gave me a choice of neck woods:
Sapele



Walnut



Maple



Oak/maple sandwich



He also put some of the hardware in place to give a better idea of the finished look

[Jacqueslemac]

The bass arrived at the weekend, so here it is in all its glory:



A close-up of the multi-layered body:

You can see the slightly-recessed control knobs (mainly to show off the layers).

A view from the back:


The back is slightly contoured to show off the different layers. The new neck looks good, although I will invest in a Warwick Just-a-nut as the one currently fitted is too low.

I now have the makings of four Corvettes - two already built up, one needing a fair bit of hardware and the final one needing everything except the body!

[Myke]

I really like the front, but personally I think the back is a little odd.

How does it play?

[rubis]

Why not have a fretless neck made for the dark one?

[Jacqueslemac]

I have yet to run it through my amp, but will do so at tonight's band rehearsal (first gig with my new band is the week after next, but I'll probably stay with my other Corvette for that one).

Through the headphones it sounds just like a Corvette should. It's a bit heavier than the others, but as it's an exact clone (including the neck profile) if I close my eyes it feels exactly like the others.

I had a fretless Corvette but didn't get on with it and sold it to finance this project...

[geo_bass]

does the luthier have a webiste at all?

[Jacqueslemac]

I'll send you his address. He used to have lots of photos on his Facebook page, but I can't find them any longer.

[JamesFlashG]

that some nice wood work

[Jacqueslemac]

It is, isn't it?

I used it for rehearsals earlier this week and compared it back-to-back with my ash-bodied Warwick version. It has considerably more growl, a much darker voice all round. The verdict of the band was that I should use it from now on because there's no way the guitarist can encroach on my sonic territory!

[Jonnyboy Rotten]

Thats a great idea with the grain of wood on the multi layered one. I love the way the back looks!

[Ghosts Over Japan]

that is VERY nice, unusual in a good way!
Cai