Yes, and also because it's free(I live in a spruce forest...
).
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| Author: | sdsollod [ Mon Feb 17, 2014 2:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
What are some acceptable alternative woods for neck blocks other than mahogany? and - does the neck need to be the same type (or a laminate)? |
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| Author: | nyazzip [ Mon Feb 17, 2014 2:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
i was surprised to learn(in here) that many good builders seem to use plywood. the sentiment is that the neck block contributes very little, if anything, to sound. basically anything that is not prone to splitting or cracking |
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| Author: | Colin North [ Mon Feb 17, 2014 2:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
I use Sapelle for neck blocks and glue birch ply to sapelle or hog for tail blocks. |
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| Author: | Rodger Knox [ Mon Feb 17, 2014 2:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
I think there are more that are shop laminated than actual hardware store plywood, although I do seem to remember someone using baltic birch plywood. Almost any species with adequate strength/ splitting resistance should work, I believe some people use spruce. |
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| Author: | sdsollod [ Mon Feb 17, 2014 2:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
I wonder if some of the alternative woods for necks could also be used for neck blocks, like walnut, cherry, and maple...? |
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| Author: | bftobin [ Mon Feb 17, 2014 5:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
I believe any stable wood should be OK, as long as it isn't too heavy or splits easily. I like to laminate Sp. Cedar in three layers with the outside layer running with the grain of the sides. Cheap, stable, lightweight and smells real nice. Trim back the inside face so it's the same width as the kerfling and the top will glue well to the long grain. Haven't tried spruce but some swear by it. |
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| Author: | Pete Brown [ Mon Feb 17, 2014 8:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
nyazzip wrote: i was surprised to learn(in here) that many good builders seem to use plywood. the sentiment is that the neck block contributes very little, if anything, to sound. basically anything that is not prone to splitting or cracking I think split/crack resistance is only half the story. In using plywood, don't forget that half of the surface area to which the soundboard is glued will be end grain; not the most secure bond given the propensity for the neck angle to want to change over time. I'm likely to begin using laminated head blocks in the near future, but I'll try to come up with a design that provides split resistance while at the same time minimising end grain. |
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| Author: | grumpy [ Mon Feb 17, 2014 10:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
I've been using spruce for years, now... To aid in split resistance, I'll sometimes glue-up the blocks from two different pieces of spruce but with the grain running in the same direction. This way I keep the correct grain orientation yet the different pieces will still have different weakness lines. But most of the time, I use a one-piece block of spruce... I've even used red cedar without issues. |
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| Author: | Joe Sallis [ Tue Feb 18, 2014 8:08 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
grumpy wrote: I've been using spruce for years, now... To aid in split resistance, I'll sometimes glue-up the blocks from two different pieces of spruce but with the grain running in the same direction. This way I keep the correct grain orientation yet the different pieces will still have different weakness lines. But most of the time, I use a one-piece block of spruce... I've even used red cedar without issues. do you use spruce to keep the weight of the guitar down? |
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| Author: | grumpy [ Tue Feb 18, 2014 11:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
Yes, and also because it's free(I live in a spruce forest... ).
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| Author: | jfmckenna [ Tue Feb 18, 2014 11:27 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
sdsollod wrote: I wonder if some of the alternative woods for necks could also be used for neck blocks, like walnut, cherry, and maple...? I've used walnut, cherry, oak, among the usual mahogany and spruce. No problems there at all. And to the OP's question, no you do not need to use the same wood as the neck. |
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| Author: | sdsollod [ Tue Feb 18, 2014 11:43 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
Thanks Guys, It sounds like any of the typical woods used for necks would work for the neck block... Is splitting really an issue? I've never heard of that happening... |
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| Author: | Nick Royle [ Tue Feb 18, 2014 11:51 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
grumpy wrote: Yes, and also because it's free(I live in a spruce forest... ).I'm jealous! 
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| Author: | Rodger Knox [ Tue Feb 18, 2014 1:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
sdsollod wrote: Thanks Guys, It sounds like any of the typical woods used for necks would work for the neck block... Is splitting really an issue? I've never heard of that happening... It's more of an issue with a dovetail joint than a mortise & tenion or butt joint. |
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| Author: | sdsollod [ Tue Feb 18, 2014 1:38 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
That makes sense, Rodger. I typically use M&T joints, so I guess I'm okay... I do have a block of alder left over from an electric build. Is that suitable? |
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| Author: | truckjohn [ Sat Feb 22, 2014 1:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
Literally any stable wood that takes glue well will do the trick... Plywood is highly esteemed.... So is basically every wood under the sun you could possibly think of.... I did a neck reset and retop on my cheap Esteban guitar... Neck block looked like it was Spruce.... but that had NOTHING to do with why the neck went loose - it went loose because it was a dowel pinned Butt joint.... I converted it to a bolt-on, and it has never given any more trouble... Thanks |
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| Author: | bluescreek [ Sat Feb 22, 2014 3:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
Martin uses a laminated block. In most cases the difference is laminated , not plywood. In laminated blocks the grain is not crossed but in the same orientation. The layers do help add strength and stability. Plywood from the lumber yard may work but would be my last choice. |
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| Author: | John Arnold [ Sun Feb 23, 2014 4:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
Quote: In using plywood, don't forget that half of the surface area to which the soundboard is glued will be end grain; not the most secure bond given the propensity for the neck angle to want to change over time. The neck angle can change without any creep in the joints. That is because the body tends to distort under string tension. In fact, that is the reason most better-quality guitars need resets after many years of use. I have used walnut, cherry, and poplar....all woods that are medium density and relatively stable. Quote: I do have a block of alder left over from an electric build. Is that suitable? Sure. |
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| Author: | Matt Bouchie [ Sun Feb 23, 2014 7:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: alternative woods for neck blocks ? |
I've used Butternut on several guitars and a couple of ukes. It works great. Matt |
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