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| Difference between neck woods? http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=26595 |
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| Author: | SteveLuthier [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:38 am ] |
| Post subject: | Difference between neck woods? |
I am wondering why almost all Luthiers use Mahogany for the neck wood does it help the sound that much or is it just because it is cheap? Would a solid gaboon ebony neck hurt the sound or a solid ziricote neck or Indian rosewood neck. I am putting a solid piece of Indian rosewood on my current guitar but I was considering an african blackwood neck to match the back and sides for my next guitar and I don't really want to chance it. |
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| Author: | Laurent Brondel [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:11 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Difference between neck woods? |
Stability and resistance to warping and twisting. All the woods you mention, except EIR, are not considered stable. Weight is the other issue, a neck heavy acoustic guitar is less pleasant to play. That being said, if you have access to straight grain, old, ultra seasoned stock and build in controlled RH and temp, it can be done. |
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| Author: | Arnt Rian [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:13 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Difference between neck woods? |
I'm sure price has something to do with it, but so does weight; an African blackwood neck would make an extremely neck heavy guitar. Rosewood is more common on electrics, and lots of folks love the sound of feel of them. I think mahogany is about the perfect neck wood; stiff, light, stable, inexpensive (for now), what's not to like? You can always stain it too, if you want it to match the sides and back better. <edit> Laurent types faster than me! Glad to see we seem to agree, though. 
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| Author: | letseatpaste [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Difference between neck woods? |
Mahogany is really nice to carve, too. |
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| Author: | Mike Collins [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Difference between neck woods? |
Lots of good advise so far. Weight & cost are very important. There are lots of native woods to use that are great ! Maple,Cherry,Walnut,-just to name some! The suppliers on this site have good seasoned woods for sale. I'd stick with something like Mahogany if you just starting out. Mike |
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| Author: | Mike Collins [ Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Difference between neck woods? |
Lots of good advise so far. Weight & cost are very important. There are lots of native woods to use that are great ! Maple,Cherry,Walnut,-just to name some! The suppliers on this site have good seasoned woods for sale. I'd stick with something like Mahogany if you just starting out. Mike |
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| Author: | coke_zero [ Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Difference between neck woods? |
I played a steel string guitar the other week with a cedar neck for the first time. I see it is isn't very common, but it was amazingly light, smooth and a joy to play. Any reason why cedar isn't so common on steel strings as much as nylon? |
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| Author: | Bob Garrish [ Thu Mar 18, 2010 3:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Difference between neck woods? |
There's a big difference between cedar (cedrelus, North american cedar) and Spanish cedar (cedrela, tropical, mahogany family). Cedrela works fine, though I think cedrelus might not be stiff enough in that cross section without reinforcement and would be extremely easy to dent. |
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