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Wood Choice for Neck with Mahogany Body

Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 12:24 pm
by Darryl Young
I'm trying to decide what neck wood to use with the Cuban Mahogany I'm using on the 00 build I'm starting for my daughter. If I use Honduaran mahogany, it will have a bit of monotone look that really doesn't fit with my daughter's personality. However, John Steinert at Hannalei Moon sayd he has some curly mahogany that could be used so that's an option.

I've considered using curly Red Maple for a contrast with the body. Another option is curly Big Leaf Maple for another contrasting wood. The neck will be a 12 fret Martin short scale so maybe wouldn't get too unbalanced using a heavier wood.

What are your thoughts of using a lighter colored neck? My daughter would get a kick out of a neck with a lot of curl if it doesn't look awkward. Anyone have pics of mahogany with a maple neck so I could see how it looks?

Thanks!

Re: Wood Choice for Neck with Mahogany Body

Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 12:58 pm
by Kevin Sjostrand
Hey Darryl,
If you want contrast, how about using spanish cedar. That will be a lighter in color look, but not a stark contrast like maple would be.
I was going to suggest Sapele if you wanted a similar color, but sounds like you don't. I've used it on my last two guitars and it sweet to work with, and, you don't have to pore fill it.
I have an African Mahogany neck blank for my next guitar, and it is lighter in color than Honduras Hog....it will contrast nicely with the walnut I'm using for the body.

Kevin

Re: Wood Choice for Neck with Mahogany Body

Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 1:11 pm
by David L
Hey Darryl, considering the brief insight you gave of your daughter's personality I'm thinking "go big" with some radical curly big leaf, plus it'll have outsranding contrast!

David L

Re: Wood Choice for Neck with Mahogany Body

Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 2:36 pm
by Darryl Young
David, I think you are correct that she favors a bold statement.......just can't decide if I want something as blond as maple. Maybe the red maple would look ok.

Re: Wood Choice for Neck with Mahogany Body

Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 2:52 pm
by Tony_in_NYC
You could always add come color to the maple. If you want to see how it looks with color, but still be reversible, add some finish first, then some color. If you no likey, you can sand it off.

Re: Wood Choice for Neck with Mahogany Body

Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 5:52 pm
by David L
Hey, maybe a laminated neck, three piece, red maple on the outsides, big leaf down the middle, divided with thin strips of whatever the binding is, just a thought!

David L

Re: Wood Choice for Neck with Mahogany Body

Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 6:33 pm
by kencierp
We KMG offer just about any combo within reason -- here's a couple of recent requests -- I like the Mahogany with the thin Rosewood stripe, Curly Maple in any combo is hard to beat -- very elegant!

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Re: Wood Choice for Neck with Mahogany Body

Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 9:44 pm
by Darryl Young
Ken, those necks look nice. Do you offer different volute options? (diamond/smiley face)

Re: Wood Choice for Neck with Mahogany Body

Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 7:57 am
by kencierp
KMG offers blank retangular paddle headstocks and the full rounded heel for cutaways as well as the Gibson style rounded heel. The D18 style is by far the most popular and is our standard. We have left the headstock full thickness for a few customers that wanted to create thier own style transition point. The "real" diamond volute is the result of the old time glue joint of the headstock and the arm. The smiley humps are anti-crack reinforcements for truss rod adjustment channels that run into the head stock at the weakest point.

Re: Wood Choice for Neck with Mahogany Body

Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 8:00 am
by kencierp
The 2nd picture above is actually Cherry and Rosewood --- Cherry is lovely stuff -- it does change color over time which is pretty cool.