How can I build tone chambers into a solidbody electric guitar, what are their effects, and how do I “tune” them?
A. Tone chambers are really just a fancy way of saying partially hollowed out. This can be done in many ways. A body blank can be routed prior to gluing on a figured wood top. You can also band saw out the chambers, then glue on both a top and back cap. The entry saw kerf can be filled with a decorative piece of veneer. As far as what shapes to remove, there are really no hard and fast rules here. Circles and/or ovals made with a forstner bit or irregular shapes routed out will all work. You may remove almost all of the wood except for a 1/2″ border and the area where the neck pocket sits, and directly beneath the bridge, prior to gluing on a top cap. Your top cap may or may not have f holes, and chambers may or may not be sealed with a finish. It’s a matter of personal preference. All of these methods have been employed to produce good sounding guitars.The most noticeable effect of chambering is a reduction in weight, but chambering can also enhance the overall resonance of a guitar.
