Well, it's assembled and has some temporary PUs in it right now. 7.16 lbs! No more backaching for me. Just getting acquainted with her right now. A very different sound from the LP tone. I was expecting the usual LP sound when I plugged her in, but its much more open with a more scooped-mid sound. I was aiming for 335 type territory and went past it. I'm really surprised how much this thing sounds like a hollowbody, even though there is a lot more wood that an HB. The sound is very open, and chords are really clear, and the guitar really shines with the volume on about 7-8 and the tone rolled off a hair. I'm not sure how this guitar will go in a rock setting (I will find out tomorrow though a band practice), but will make a great blues guitar for cleaner stuff. You can hit a note even without pushing the amp, and it just rings out with a nice sweet sustain. I've got it setup an dialed in, and I've been playing it all night tonight with a big grin. Even wrote some new song ideas, which is saying something. A different sound often does that, gets you to think of new chord formations or licks.
I went through a bunch of PUs that I have around the shop, and found it really likes a pretty weak neck PU (the one in there now is 7.3 alnico 2), and a stronger bridge (the one in there now is 8.3). I'm looking forward to see how the WBs sound in here.
I went with I higher neck angle to try and get more of a jazz box setup. The only downside to this is that there is less stud in contact with the body, so I called pigtail to see if they can make me some longer studs. Will hopefully find out about that tomorrow.
Overall, I'm happy with the outcome, but I definitely understand why gibson leaves the wood under the pickups, it just gives it that extra midrange that is needed for that LP sound.
I have some ideas for changes for the next chambered guitar.
I ordered some cream plastic from allparts for the pickguard, hoping that it would be whiter than the stewmac cream plastic. It's not, but I'm gonna cut a pickguard for it this weekend. Of course I already out a ding in her
Soundclips to come down the line.