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I've got some Sapele from the local lumber yard at a very resonable price - in blocks that can easily be cut into neck and tail blocks.

I'm assuming that the properties are very similar to Honduran Mahogany and as such can be used as a substitute for Honduran in neck and tail blocks. Reasonable assumption? Thanks.

I`ve used them with no problems.I`ve also used Khaya with no problems.I`m pretty sure LMI sells them,so they must be fine.
James

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

taylor is using sapele necks now and its a good substitute.

I've been using sapele for end blocks and necks for some time now. It is a little heavier than Mahogany, but I have had no issues from it at all. It finishes beautiful and is great to work with

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John Ressler

Todd,

Does it matter how you orient the "grain" of the baltic birch ply when you use it for tail blocks?

Thanks,
Peter

Thanks, Todd.

Peter

I think some sort of ply is almost ideal for the tail block... It is nice to have something hard to split.

In my rooting around inside guitars... I have found almost every sort of wood blocks imaginable. I am surprised how often I see plain 'ole spruce, pine, and fir are used for both head and tail blocks..... Those guitars sound just find -- so in my mind... if those make good guitars (And they appear to..) you could use most anything.

Thanks

John

I think some sort of ply is almost ideal for the tail block... It is nice to have something hard to split.

In my rooting around inside guitars... I have found almost every sort of wood blocks imaginable. I am surprised how often I see plain 'ole spruce, pine, and fir are used for both head and tail blocks..... Those guitars sound just find -- so in my mind... if those can be used in good guitars (they appear to..) I think you could use most anything.

So far, I have personally just used whatever wood I used for the body... which is Mahogany, Cherry, and Oak.

Thanks

John

I plan on useing ash, walnut, cherry, and maple in mine.I have some spanish cedar that i will use as well.

I've used baltic birch ply for end blocks, but I've used up all I had. I've got some Spruce top wood that isn't stiff enough. I'm going to make my own laminated end blocks from them while supplies last. I normally make my neck blocks from the same material the neck is made of, usually Mahogany or Maple. I don't see how Sapele would cause any problems.
Todd, others, didn't Martin used to put a strip of Maple on the inside of their Mahogany tail blocks to help keep them from splitting? That might be a good idea with a solid end block. It could be made to look good if looks inside the box are important.

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