black cherry neck wood

[peter havriluk]

I just 'won' a pair of black cherry neck blanks on Ebay. I was reluctant to purchase what seemed to be expensive neck blanks only to subject them to the indignities delivered by a first-scratchbuilt-project builder. And I didn't want to purchase neck blanks described as 'seconds', having obvious blemishes or shaping errors that would challenge a beginning builder.

In the meanwhile, is this wood species 'acceptable' as neck wood? Any particular qualities that need to be accounted for?

Thanks very much.

[ken cierp]

show us the listing

[peter havriluk]

Here's the item numbers: 230958286714
230958293071

[ken cierp]

If the necks in the pictures are what you bought they are constructed wrong -- the arm (long part) is flat/slab cut. Which means it will be susseptible to warps, cupping and twists. You can see the grain on the heel block is vertical. The arm has be vertical grain this is key in neck construction. Did you ask about moisture content? Should be 7% Buyer beware --- Sorry I could not give you better news

[peter havriluk]

Ken, thanks for the analysis. Moving right along....

[TonyinNYC]

There are plenty of guitars with flat sawn necks. Yes, it is more susceptible to warp than quartered wood but, and I rarely disagree with Ken, lots of electrics and acoustics have flat sawn necks. If you are really worried, put in some carbon fiber rods with the truss rod. If the wood is dry and stable, it should be fine.

[ken cierp]

Yes Fender has used flat sawn Rock Maple for on some Strats and Tele's

Major warrantied acoustic brands with flat sawn necks?

I truly never heard of that, nor have I ever seen an instructional recommending flat sawn for the arm. Siminoff has done testing, but what I read was not very convincing. You guess it, flat sawn is not something I would try or recommend. I could cut my neck manufacturing costs in half or more if I used slab lumber --that's not happening
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