Neck wood

Wood selection sound-boards, backs, sides, necks and trim
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Harold in Tn
Posts: 67
Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:54 pm

Neck wood

Post by Harold in Tn » Wed Mar 29, 2017 9:08 am

Other than mahogany, cedar and maple, what other woods are good for making acoustic necks?

Tim Benware
Posts: 1489
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:22 pm
Location: Asheboro, NC

Re: Neck wood

Post by Tim Benware » Wed Mar 29, 2017 10:04 am

Walnut & Sipo.
I've "Ben-Had" again!
Tim Benware
Creedmoor, NC

ken cierp
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Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:23 pm

Re: Neck wood

Post by ken cierp » Wed Mar 29, 2017 10:14 am

Black Walnut, Cherry, Birch ----- properly dried of course

johnnyg
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Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2015 3:12 pm

Re: Neck wood

Post by johnnyg » Wed Mar 29, 2017 4:47 pm

I have been using sapele for the last couple of necks.
- johnnyg

ken cierp
Posts: 3924
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:23 pm

Re: Neck wood

Post by ken cierp » Wed Mar 29, 2017 6:08 pm

I found Sapele a bit on the heavy side, African Mahogany too. Don't expect either one of those to have the wonderful machining characteristic of Honduran Mahogany. Both are prone to fuzzing and splintering, but they do work I've used both.

Tim Benware
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Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:22 pm
Location: Asheboro, NC

Re: Neck wood

Post by Tim Benware » Wed Mar 29, 2017 9:06 pm

ken cierp wrote:I found Sapele a bit on the heavy side, African Mahogany too. Don't expect either one of those to have the wonderful machining characteristic of Honduran Mahogany. Both are prone to fuzzing and splintering, but they do work I've used both.
That has been my experience as well. Sometimes when I want a darker color without having to apply stain I go to one of those, otherwise, it's Honduran mahogany for me.
I've "Ben-Had" again!
Tim Benware
Creedmoor, NC

Kevin in California
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Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:19 pm

Re: Neck wood

Post by Kevin in California » Wed Mar 29, 2017 11:00 pm

I am building a sapele neck right now, will be my 3rd, and I agree it is a little heavier than Honduras hog. I do however find it easy enough to carve and I really like the coloring. I paired it with a Cocobolo dred and that was one heavy guitar. This one is going with cherry and I hope that the balance will be alright.

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