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PostPosted: Wed Dec 11, 2019 2:30 pm 
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Koa
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Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2017 11:09 pm
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Location: Cowichan Valley, BC, Canada
First name: Conor
Last Name: Searl
City: Duncan
State: British Columbia
Zip/Postal Code: V9L 2E5
Country: Canada
Status: Semi-pro
I was wondering if there was anything to consider when using flat sawn maple boards for necks, other then going for as straight a piece of wood as possible? I know that quarter sawn wood is better for stability and is typically the norm, but Fender seems to often use flat sawn maple on their necks, and its an awful lot easier to find good flat sawn maple boards at the lumber supply than quarter sawn ones. I've also read that figuring in the maple is more evident in flat sawn boards.


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PostPosted: Wed Dec 11, 2019 8:00 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Sat May 22, 2010 10:32 am
Posts: 2616
First name: alan
Last Name: stassforth
City: Santa Rosa
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Country: usa
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Conor, my take on the subject is quarter sawn is better for a neck.
I never use flat sawn for that.
What I do if I have a nice seasoned flat sawn board,
I rip it so you basically have something close to quartered,
and do a 2 piece laminated neck.
I think the only reason we see flat sawn necks,
is because Leo was trying to save money.
Alan



These users thanked the author alan stassforth for the post: Conor_Searl (Thu Dec 12, 2019 12:14 pm)
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 12, 2019 10:49 am 
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Mahogany
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Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2015 4:43 pm
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Location: Staten Island, NY
First name: David
Last Name: Schwab
City: Staten Island
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Zip/Postal Code: 10201
Country: USA
Focus: Build
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I buy flat sawn boards, rip them into strips, and rotate them 90° and glue them together. Now you have a quarter sawn laminated neck, which will be more stable.

But I’ve also made flat sawn necks. They work fine too.


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These users thanked the author DavidSchwab for the post: Conor_Searl (Thu Dec 12, 2019 12:12 pm)
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 13, 2019 8:33 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2010 9:06 pm
Posts: 2739
Location: Magnolia DE
First name: Brian
Last Name: Howard
City: Magnolia
State: Delaware
Zip/Postal Code: 19962
Country: United States
Focus: Repair
Status: Professional
I use flat sawn maple on some of my custom guitars. I am particular about the cut.... I often cut up a 5/4x6 to get one premium flat one pc. neck and pieces for a 3 pc one as leftovers.

In my blank I want a cut that is from the 12"- 18" diameter section of the tree so the grains are neither to arched or to flat. The lengthwise grains on both sides of the billet must be straight and true for the entire length of the neck. So boards cut from bent or waning logs will not do.

I start with 5/4 so I can exactly follow the grain orientation in all directions and have a regular size blank in the end. Necks are constructed with the finger board on the side that was toward the center of the tree.

Of course I'm almost as picky about the strips used in a laminate neck.... necks are that important. Select the lumber correct and work with it instead of against it and you'll always get the best results. Oh, and you won't need stuff like carbon rods to help keep it straight....

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You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/



These users thanked the author B. Howard for the post: Conor_Searl (Fri Dec 13, 2019 12:16 pm)
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 15, 2019 4:29 pm 
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Contributing Member
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Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2011 7:44 pm
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Location: Andersonville
State: Tennessee
Country: USA
Focus: Build
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All the above, but what not just go for all you can get! Roasted flame very well quartered, and a perfectly quartered flame maple, The natural colored neck is out of a $21 turning blank, three $7 necks :mrgreen:


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PostPosted: Sun Dec 22, 2019 5:43 pm 
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Contributing Member
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Joined: Fri May 18, 2012 8:35 pm
Posts: 2658
Location: Austin, Texas
First name: Dan
Last Name: Smith
City: Round Rock
State: TX
Zip/Postal Code: 78681
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Fender has made a jillion flat sawn necks.
I’ve made a few without problems.

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