Dom in Dorset Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 I'm starting a new project soon and may attempt to make the neck myself. I did this once before and found the result hopelessly unstable. The possible reasons : I used a cheap truss rod. - any recommendations? I used birdseye maple - is that ok for necks? I still have some but should I get some good straight grained stuff instead? I thinned it too much - I'll be paying much closer attention to my fender neck this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradwell Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 I'd say until you are confident making necks then go with more predictable straight grained maple. Birdseye can be used but will be more difficult to carve and potentially weaker due to the irregular grain pattern. As for truss rods, have a look into carbon fibre reinforcement, I've been experimenting with 2mm x 12 mm battens epoxied into necks. They're light and incredibly stiff. Maybe one of those plus a decent steel truss rod to give a bit of adjustment. First neck I made was very chunky, but if you get the profile & finish right then they're still very playable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted August 27, 2014 Author Share Posted August 27, 2014 Thanks, I'll get some regular maple soon. Anything to look out for in a truss rod? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manton Customs Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 (edited) Could be your third choice (thinned too much) though I doubt it unless you went mega skinny, how thin did you go? Most truss rods are pretty much the same, so I doubt it's to blame. Normally the most likely cause of an unstable neck is the wood itself and I'm not talking the species (Birdseye is fine) but more how it was dried and for how long. There is also such thing as crap wood which will never become stable! Edited August 27, 2014 by Manton Customs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted August 28, 2014 Author Share Posted August 28, 2014 It probably was a bit thin , it's no longer possible to say exactly how thin .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted August 28, 2014 Share Posted August 28, 2014 You going for the Ernie Ball "Roasted" neck treatment? If so you may have to use a lower flame.....! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scojack Posted August 28, 2014 Share Posted August 28, 2014 (edited) Relic'd Edited August 28, 2014 by scojack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted August 28, 2014 Author Share Posted August 28, 2014 Isn't graphite just a form of carbon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manton Customs Posted August 28, 2014 Share Posted August 28, 2014 Carbon fibre, yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted August 28, 2014 Author Share Posted August 28, 2014 So extreme heat treatment of a wooden neck doesn't turn it into graphite? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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