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| Compression wood for necks... http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=28966 |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Wed Sep 08, 2010 1:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Compression wood for necks... |
I have a few pieces of mahogany that are very nice, light with good quarter, but they have compression marks. Does this actually destabilize the wood at all or is it just cosmetic? |
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| Author: | Mike Collins [ Wed Sep 08, 2010 1:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Compression wood for necks... |
Some pics would help . Do the marks go all the way across the pieces? Can you look at the edge and see their depth? Mike |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Compression wood for necks... |
It varies along it's length. Some certainly appear to go all the way through, though the wood seems very strong and it doesn't open when you flex it. The marks look like cracks but they seem to be filled, much like can sometimes happen when you bend mahogany into tight curves. |
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| Author: | Mike Collins [ Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Compression wood for necks... |
Mike Collins wrote: marks look like cracks but they seem to be filled, much like can sometimes happen when you bend mahogany into tight curves That's compression ! Those pieces and some maple make sweet coals for grilling . REALLY ! Now-do you have any other neck woods? Do you need some? Mike 
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Compression wood for necks... |
Ah, therein lies the rub. Is the wood inferior and structually unsound, or is it just a matter of looks? |
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| Author: | Mike Collins [ Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Compression wood for necks... |
Those are unsound for necks. For a steel with lights your looking at 170+pounds of tension . Classicals 75-90 lbs. Do you want to spend the time making a nice guitar only to have the neck be a future problem? MC |
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| Author: | Chris aka Sniggly [ Wed Sep 08, 2010 3:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Compression wood for necks... |
I am DYING to see what this looks like.....anyone have photos? |
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| Author: | John Arnold [ Wed Sep 08, 2010 11:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Compression wood for necks... |
The compression lines just look like jagged cross-grain cracks. I have used mahogany like that for necks, where the 'cracks' run about 1/3 of the way through the piece. I have not encountered any problems. |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Thu Sep 09, 2010 1:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Compression wood for necks... |
thanks for your input everyone. I have a pile of the stuff, great quarter and light and straight grained, but with the compression "cracks". With the increasing difficulty, especially in Canada, of getting good mahogany, and with the expectation that this difficulty will increase in the future, it is starting to look appealing. |
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| Author: | John Arnold [ Thu Sep 09, 2010 12:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Compression wood for necks... |
To satisfy yourself that it is OK, you could cut a thin slice from the edge of a board and try to break it in the 'crack'. I am sure I did this when I first encountered it over 30 years ago. |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Thu Sep 09, 2010 12:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Compression wood for necks... |
Yeah I guess I will. I reefed on the boards but a thinner slice would be more telling indeed. |
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| Author: | Mike Collins [ Thu Sep 09, 2010 1:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Compression wood for necks... |
Laminating may be a great way to save your wood. Take a look at Brocks necks-nice lamination . Of course this makes the neck more stable and strong. just a thought. Mike |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Thu Sep 09, 2010 1:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Compression wood for necks... |
Good thought indeed. I intend to switch to lam necks anyway... |
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| Author: | Mike Collins [ Thu Sep 09, 2010 2:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Compression wood for necks... |
There ya go ! Let us know how they come out when they're carved and strung please! Mike ![[:Y:]](./images/smilies/smiley20.gif "Thumbs Up")
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