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I'm starting a 00 bodied guitar for my 11 year old daughter. It will be Cuban Mahogany for the back and sides and I'm trying to decide the binding/purfling scheme and neck design and materials. It will be a 12 fret neck on a 14 fret body (ala Norman Blake) and I may use a slotted headstock.

If I go with a mahogany neck the guitar will have a bit of a monotone look that doesn't fit my daughter's personality (though I would be fine with it). I could break that look up with a 5 piece neck with a contrasting center stripe. She likes the look of a curly maple neck (from internet pictures) and she likes the look of the curly maple binding I have on-hand.

So I'm wondering, would it be too much to have a curly, Big Leaf maple neck on a mahogany body? I've never seen this combo and curious how it would look. Any chance someone has a picture of this combo? She likes the thought of mahogany body with curly maple binding and maple neck with a mahogany center stripe. Seems a bit much to me......but it's difficult for me to picture. Since it's a short neck, maybe the weight of a maple neck wouldn't be too bad.

Thoughts?

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

I wouldn't like that look personally. IMO you'd better off making a 5pc lam with maple racing stripes to match the binging. .02

I have no pictures but it was either my 3rd or 4th guitar, can't remember and my brother owns it now, that had maple sides, with a mahogany top and back, with maple back stripe, and a maple neck. It was quite a contrast

It would be very unique anyway to say the least. BUt I see nothing wrong with breaking with tradition.

I would probably personally prefer some contrasting laminates in a mahogany neck (a bit more costly generally and time consuming though), but if you go with a maple neck you can always stain or dye it to make for a better match if need be. Even if you could match the stained maple to the back and sides perfectly, the figure in the wood could add something different and unique. Whatever your daughter likes will be the "right" choice (though if you go with a maple neck with no added color, everyone here will likely be anxiously awaiting some pictures ). Good luck, regardless of the decision.

Aaron

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Aaron Craig

Though I like the look of maple over mahogany I would be concerned with weight and balance of the instrument. A laminate in a mahogany neck would be my preference. However, you're the one dealing with the client here.

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Michael Lloyd

“I was born to ignorance, yes, and lesser poverties ...
I was born to privilege that I did not see ... I didn’t know it, but my way was paved” – John Gorka

Ain't that the truth!

I'm hoping someone has a picture of this combo so I can see what it looks like.

My preference would be for a reddish-brown binding with the Hog. I have a pic of some Amazon Rosewood that looks nice with Mahogany and I've found some figured Pau Ferro that is about that some color. Of course a Hog body and neck is fine with me as well.......but it will be hers so I want it to be something she likes. She liked the pic of the Amazon Bindings with Hog so there may be a possibility there.

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Ah, I love this part. Top is spruce, I assume? Here's what I would do...

Spruce top
Mahogany back/sides
Curly maple bindings with rosewood side purf and back purf
Matching curly maple end wedge with rosewood purfling mitered around it (see photo)
Black/white/black or black/maple/black top purf, or maybe abalone if she likes that look
Curly maple neck with .020" rosewood, 3/8" mahogany, .020" rosewood center stripe
Curly maple heel cap with rosewood veneer layer, to match side purfs
Rosewood fingerboard (maybe Madagascar, for more reddish to match the mahogany better than Indian would?)
Faux bind fingerboard (rip strips off of it before slotting, glue back on later), but with .040" maple strips between the board and the bindings (this adds contrast to both the fingerboard and neck, while avoiding the trickyness of fingerboard side purfs )
Curly maple and/or white MOP position marker inlays on the fingerboard, whatever theme she wants (not boring ol' dots)
Rosewood headplate
Rosewood bridge
Standard abalone/purfling rings rosette, unless she has a better idea

And there you have it, a nicely balanced scheme using only 4 woods and one or two shells. It's all about working the borders between parts. Maybe could use one more color to spice it up a bit though... How about Honduran rosewood for the fingerboard, while keeping the fingerboard bindings and all other rosewood things being Madagascar or Indian? I think that would do it

Spanish Cedar is lighter in both weight and color.

It depends totally on the piece of Spanish Cedar you have. I have had some Sp Cedar that is denser than most HOG I've seen.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I'm not usually a fan of Maple necks because they tend to feel heavy...........but, since it's a 12 fret that might not be a problem.

However if I were choosing, (or dealing with the "client") I'd suggest, assuming you're going to use Maple binding, a Laminated Mahogany neck with Maple in it. Be careful with your widths so the slots don't get........ funny. Another option to eliminate the....monotone look would be a dark stained neck (or body). Walnut stain will make a neck kinda Martinish. Oven cleaner can be used to oxidize a neck sorta reddish, like an old Guild.

Another option................Walnut binding, and neck..............or (I better leave LOL)

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Mainly because of where I live and the availability of materials I am building Hog & spruce w maple neck....
Im liking it I think...?The maple was a drag to shape hard work and dense and the binding and purfling are a bit difficult to do tasefully with that white neck..try post some pics when the sun comes up

Woody, I bought some curly Claro Walnut binding to try with the mahogany. Didn't look bad but wasn't a great match (dark walnut). I would rather use a darker binding but may go with the maple and maple center stripe on a laminated neck as you suggest. Here is a pic of the pau ferro binding I have on the way that I hope is a good match (reddish browns). I'm hoping it will give a look similar to the second pic shown below which is Amazon Rosewood.

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Mainly because of where I live and the availability of materials I am building Hog & spruce w maple neck....
Im liking it I think...?The maple was a drag to shape hard work and dense and the binding and purfling are a bit difficult to do tasefully with that white neck..try post some pics when the sun comes up

Look forward to the pics Steve.

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Here you go
not good day for pictures here....

Headstock and Rosette are Koa
FB Madrose I think
I will bind the headstock to continue the bwb side purf but the maple will be thinner