Author Topic: Neck Wood (Read 155 times)

peever · « **on:** February 18, 2006, 12:08:23 AM »

What do you guys (and gals) think is the nicest neck wood?
For a long time I always loved maple for the neck, but i recently tried a warwick and i just fell in love with the tone and the feel of ovankol.

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2006, 05:56:31 AM »

Hi Mike; welcome to the group! Take a look through the Showcase section and you'll see a variety of neck woods. The standard on the less expensive Alembics is Maple. The standard on more expensive Alembics is Maple with Purpleheart laminates. The most desired upgrade is Ebony laminates. Some folks go with a combination of Maple, Purpleheart and Ebony. One member just placed an order for a combination of Maple, Purpleheart, Ebony and Mahogany. Some folks drop the Maple all together. Walnut is another not infrequent laminate. And I'm sure you'll see other woods used as well.

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2006, 09:31:22 AM »

My custom Further is being built with the neck composed of Cherry, Vermilion & Flame Maple.

Bill, tgo

strangerones · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2006, 09:59:32 AM »

Not to be a thread hijacker, but I have a question...

I've heard that Coco Bolo has superb tonal qualities to it, and I've only really seen it used on non-neck-through instruments. I assume that this is so the tonal qualities of the Coco Bolo come through on the sound of the instrument.

Would it then be possible to get the sound qualities of Coco Bolo in a neck-through instrument, say through laminates or the fret board?

James

dejan · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2006, 10:18:29 AM »

Hi James,I've never seen a neck with coco bolo laminates but the fretboard is an option available,you can see here http://www.alembic.com/info/woodsamples.html ,Bye

bsee · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2006, 10:27:15 AM »

This is a question with no correct answer. Nicest to look at, nicest feel to play or nicest tone? Whichever question you pick, you'll have several different preferences. Since neck wood does have a significant impact on tone, the tone you're looking for will make quite a difference in your selection. If you search the boards here you should find a few discussions talking about the tonal properties of various woods.

-bob

bsee · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2006, 10:42:20 AM »

James-

Your basic premise is flawed in that many a neck-thru instrument bears a cocobolo top. While the neck is a primary source of tone there, it has been said many times that the cocobolo still makes a difference.

I would be careful about it as a fretboard wood, though. It would be unfinished in that role and several of the oily members of the rosewood family can act as skin irritants to some people. I would make sure you're not one of those who is bothered by the oils before ordering a cocobolo board.

strangerones · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2006, 01:30:32 PM »

Bob,

Thanks for the response. I had been told that the body wood doesn't really effect the tone that much in neck-thru instuments, and was just curious as to whether or not there was a way to better incorporate the cocobolo sound into a neck-thru. (And, all in all, I'm operating under facts that I havn't verified for myself, as I've never compared a cocobolo instument to others, and have only played one neck-thru guitar once for a few minutes at Alembic).

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2006, 01:49:46 PM »

James; at the moment I can't recall seeing any instruments with Coco Bolo neck laminates. (But then I can't recall much of anything that happened before this morning .) You would think that if possible this would be a popular option; so I'm guessing that structurally Coco Bolo doesn't make for a good neck laminate. But I could be wrong; maybe it's just hard to find good pieces that are long and thick enough for a neck.

palembic · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2006, 04:34:53 PM »

Mmmmmm ...IFF I remember well Moder Val once told me about his plan having a bass with Cocobolo lams in the neck. Dunno if he continued the idea.

PTBO

peever · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2006, 06:07:47 PM »

I think one reason why cocobolo isnt used in neck laminates very ofen is the fact that it is a very very oily wood, and i would be concerned about de-lamination.
Also the oils in it can cause severe allergic reactions, and i wouldnt wanna be playing bass with a nice swelled up hand.