Purpleheart Bass Guitar Body Blank 21in x 14in x 2in - Luthier

In this review of the Purpleheart bass guitar body blank, the bottom line is simple: luthiers and experienced hobbyists seeking a dense, visually striking tonewood get a dependable blank that balances stability and aesthetics. The piece arrives kiln dried to a stable moisture content and is offered in an unplaned, glued configuration (three glued pieces) sized at 21in x 14in x 2in, making it practical for custom bass bodies or remodeling an existing instrument. This review focuses on the wood quality, workability, and whether this blank meets shop-ready expectations.

Key Features

• Wood species: Purpleheart (Peltogyne spp.) provides a distinctive purple hue and dense grain that can produce clear, focused tones when used for electric bass bodies.
• Moisture controlled: Kiln dried to about 6% to 8% moisture content, which reduces movement and helps the blank remain stable during routing, shaping, and finishing.
• Size and format: The 21in x 14in x 2in blank arrives as three glued pieces, offering enough surface area for full-size bass body outlines or for adapting to custom designs.
• Luthier friendly: Marketed as tailored to luthier specifications, the blank is suitable for builders who want a solid, ready-to-dimension starting point for custom work.
• Finish options: Unplaned and unglued options available on request, which is useful for shops that prefer to plane and join their own boards for grain matching and thickness control.

Who It's For

This Purpleheart bass body blank is best for experienced luthiers, advanced hobbyists, and instrument repair shops who want a stable, visually distinctive tonewood for a custom bass or a replacement top. Its kiln-dried condition and substantial dimensions make it a practical choice for those who will route cavities, glue on tops, or sculpt custom contours.

Beginners or builders wanting a completely shop-ready, pre-planed and assembled body might look elsewhere unless they specifically request planed pieces. The blank is intentionally offered in unplaned and glued formats, so those needing fully finished, plug-and-play bodies should factor in additional woodworking time.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Attractive, dense Purpleheart offers good sustain potential and a unique visual character for electric basses.
• Kiln-dried to 6% to 8% moisture content, helping reduce warping and easing long-term stability concerns.
• Offered in configurable formats (unplaned or unglued by request), which benefits builders who want control over final thickness and joinery.
• The 21in x 14in x 2in size across three glued pieces suits full bass body outlines and most custom routing layouts.

Cons

• Some customers report mixed planing quality, so the blank may require additional surfacing before finishing.
• As a dense tropical hardwood, Purpleheart can be harder on tools and requires care when cutting and sanding.

Specifications

Wood name	Purpleheart (Peltogyne spp.)
Common names	Amaranth, Roxinho, Violeta
Dimensions	21in x 14in x 2in (glued, 3 pcs)
Moisture content	Kiln dried, 6% to 8%
Intended use	Luthier guitar/bass body blanks
Finish options	Unplaned and unglued options available on request

Our Verdict

The Purpleheart bass guitar body blank is a strong choice for builders who want a visually unique, stable tonewood for custom bass projects. It offers good value when you factor in the kiln drying and configurable options, though buyers should plan for additional planing or surfacing if they require a perfectly shop-ready face. Overall, it is recommended for experienced luthiers and serious hobbyists who value wood character and stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this blank ready to route for pickups and cavities?
The blank is kiln dried and glued as three pieces but may require planing and final thicknessing before routing to personal specs.

Can I request unplaned or unglued pieces?
Yes, unplaned and unglued options are available upon request so builders can prepare pieces to match grain and thickness needs.

What moisture content does the wood have?
The blank is kiln dried to approximately 6% to 8% moisture content for improved dimensional stability.