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Hello, I'm wanting to build my first guitar. I figured an drop top would be easier for a beginer, but i'm not to big on the strat syle. Eventually i'd like to go for an archtop lp style, but for now i would settle with a ML. Does anyone know what body blank dimensions i would need for an ML? Or where i could plans for a ML?

Actually a drop top is not easier than a carved top. The trick of getting a good joint in the forearm contour is not an easy one to get right the first time round.If you intend on using a very modest contour you may do better.
Remember that when laminating ,never make the base block compound curved or you will not be able to glue it down with good results.When designing the arm contour think tubular or conical shapes, not domed shapes and you will have an easier time with it.
good luck
Brett

I dont believe a ML has a forearm contour.

Of course, I want mine with a Floyd Rose tremelo.

Well I guess that would make it a lam top not a drop top.......... nevermind
That would be a great skill builder with binding and a recessed Floyd Rose.
good luck with you first build

Thanks Brent, I guess it would be a lam top, i'm still learning the vocab.
I'm asuming I would use faux binding?

You can use a "masked" binding to get a natural look,but you will need a 1/4" +/- top for it to look right. You could also do a plastic binding job with celluloids like ivoroid, tortoise ect... ABS binding is the most common plastic, you can get black, white and cream ,no problem.
With either plastic or wood ,you must learn to mask and scrape the color off the binding area. Good skill builders! Once you feel good about the body,the bound neck, that is a whole nother "skill builder".
I know nothing of your skill level or related experience ,but I would start with a modest first build. That done well, move on to a more difficult "skill builder".Your money and time will be best spent making beginners mistakes on inexpensive wood. I don't mean to imply the chops are not there yet, but it never hurts to have more guitars Even simple ones.
So true up your sanding blocks,you will surely need them to be staight for that ML body style. One more hint, rout a wire channel into the body before you put the top on.The wire runs are really long to drill from a small control cavity.
Best of luck in your guitar building adventures.
Brett

Thanks alot bret, I really have to do some thinking about what materials i'll use. Like you said I would really hate to ruin a beautiful(expensive) piece of wood now, when I could do it alot more justice after I acquire some more skills.
I have one more qustion: Do you think I could do a ML with a standard size body blank?
It seems like it would be alot bigger than the blanks on stew mac

You are correct sir! The ML is way bigger, sorry I have no measurements to give you regarding proper size. I only know that an Explorer is a huge chunk of wood and the ML appears even larger.
Happy wood hunting
Brett

Thats what i figured, I took some rough measurements of a scaled down image, then converted mm to inches, based on a 24.75" (628.65mm) scale.
And i came up with 16.86", outside to outside at the end of the V, and a length of 23.33".
So since i'm a complete newbie, I have to ask.....
Can you piece a body "blank" together? or would that cause problems?

Yes you can. A 2 or 3 pc blank is preferable for such a wide guitar. The multi pc lam is more stable usually,and much easier to find a board of good quality.Join your 2 pc on center but if you go 3 pc make sure to flip over the center pc so the growth rings go the opposite direction as the other boards.That makes a 3 pc more stable.
Good hunting
Brett

OK, Perfect, Thanks for all your help Brett, I'd like to try it 2pc but it seems a 3pc would look really cool with the center flipped, as you explained.

You can always mix and match woods .Maybe you want the same wood as the neck in the center ,but a lighter weight wood for the "wings". Have fun, enjoy the process.

Thanks alot Brett, I really appreciate your help and input. You definitely gave me some food for thought for my current and future builds.
See ya around,
Daniel