mahogany neck blanks

[mike-p]

Planning my first major wood buying trip. Getting reclaimed mahogany bns and cedar top. I understand wood grading as regards tops etc vaguely but what about necks? The supplier has three different grades, I want the best sounding one, any ideas on picking it?

[TonyinNYC]

Look for blanks that will result in quarter sawn necks. The neck needs to be stable and stiff. Other than that, it has little impact on the sound the guitar makes. However, if you happen to pick up a piece that sings to you, buy it. Unless it sings something by Justin Bieber. Then you should burn it.

[ken cierp]

Ditto Tony

The woods that will sound the best are the ones that stay straight and true. Dried to about 7% or less, 1/4 sawn 3 1/4" wide x 4" tall or slab cut thick enough so that two layers can be laminated to about 3 1/4" -- This what Martin is now doing. The tonal personality of a given guitar is the combination of many, many, many varibles starting with shape and ending with string selection.

[mike-p]

Thanks guys, I realise it's a combo of many things but basically i want to make sure things are not going to be detrimental to the sound. The supplier seems honest and has a good rep so should be fine.

If I find one that sings like Bieber I won't burn it I will make a guitar, install those auto tuning pegs on the new les pauls and market it to teenage girls and make my millions.