3-piece neck wood dimensions

[peter havriluk]

I have in my stash of parts purchased when I knew too little for my own good a pair of black cherry necks whose fretboard areas are 3/4" thick. Seems a mite skimpy, as wood vendors seem to sell neck blanks cut from '1x3' stock. Is this really one inch by three inches or lumberyard terms for materials measuring 3/4" x 2 1/2"? And is it a rational idea to use material 3/4" thick for an acoustic neck? The only advice I've found encourages the builder to 'make the neck blank 1/64" thicker than the finished neck thickness'. If only I knew what that was. I was planning on carving until I had something that either felt good or felt familiar, at least.

Thanks, folks.

[ken cierp]

I know its not my $$ (Cherry is not expensive) but unless the wood is special or has special meaning I would not mess with it for necks -- yes 1/4" sawn blanks are usually minimum of 7/8" x 3 1/2" wide so the blended heel stack looks OK.

[peter havriluk]

Ken, thanks for taking the time to offer some advice. Which I'm taking. I can chew on stuff that looks like a neck all I want, but I'll get indigestion. Well past time to use the necks as 3D models of necks and make some out of safer materials. Cheap tuition at the school of experience.