neck block material

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Stray Feathers
Posts: 677
Joined: Sun Sep 08, 2013 11:39 pm
Location: Ladysmith, BC

neck block material

Post by Stray Feathers »

I'm building two guitars based mostly on Jonathan Kinkead's book and plans. He calls for a mahogany neck and also a mahogany neck block, saying they should be the same material so they have the same coefficient of expansion. I don't have necks yet but have been considering cherry (one of the guitars has a cherry back and sides) - should I be using cherry for the neck blocks too? I have done the tops and backs and am just starting the sides so need to find blocks soon.
tippie53
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Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
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Re: neck block material

Post by tippie53 »

Cherry splits easy you are better to use Mahogany or even spruce. Cherry can be very hard and heavy, Mahogany is lighter and strong. Spruce would be my 2nd choice. You can find mahogany easy enough and it isn't too expensive. A decent board can make a lot of blocks. You can also but them GMC 1-800-247-6931 That is Martin's guitar makers connection will have them.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
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