Does the grain direction matter in a mahogany neck? (Full Version)

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Ahmed Flamenco -> Does the grain direction matter in a mahogany neck? (Jul. 5 2015 18:45:23)

I have 4 pieces of mahogany, 3 of them have the grain rings making angle with the piece but the fourth one rings are somehow parallel to the piece.
Is this OK?!
Thanks in advance



Stephen Eden -> RE: Does the grain direction matter in a mahogany neck? (Jul. 5 2015 20:45:10)

Flat sawn on the broadest side with quartering on the edge of the board is absolutely fine. I've seen many guitars by some of the finest builders on the planet with it. As such I have done 20 like this so far and have another 20 more necks just like it ready to go



jshelton5040 -> RE: Does the grain direction matter in a mahogany neck? (Jul. 5 2015 22:32:51)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SEden

Flat sawn on the broadest side with quartering on the edge of the board is absolutely fine. I've seen many guitars by some of the finest builders on the planet with it. As such I have done 20 like this so far and have another 20 more necks just like it ready to go

Stephen,
While I agree with you about the stability of flat sawn necks they are harder shape and sand without showing ridges in the finish along the grain lines. I occasionally use flat sawn material for the head and stacking but would rather not use it for the main neck plank. It's not a big deal to incorporate laminations with ebony or rosewood to facilitate using wood of smaller dimension but more quartered. Of course we're not producing guitars at the rate you are since worn out old people like us do it more as a pass time than a profession. I wish I had your energy[:D].



Ahmed Flamenco -> RE: Does the grain direction matter in a mahogany neck? (Jul. 6 2015 0:09:10)

At first I'd like to thank you Stephen [:D] you are awesome [:D]
but also how can I determine if the wood is well aged so as not to bend then.



Jeff Highland -> RE: Does the grain direction matter in a mahogany neck? (Jul. 6 2015 3:31:31)

You can't really determine aging unless you know it's history.
But if you have it in a suitable environment ( the controlled humidity room you intend to build in for example) then you can determine whether it has reached it's Equilibrium moisture content EMC by accurately weighing the wood and recording it over time. If it does not change then you are good to go.



Anders Eliasson -> RE: Does the grain direction matter in a mahogany neck? (Jul. 6 2015 10:36:38)

quote:

but also how can I determine if the wood is well aged so as not to bend then.


Buy it and stock it for a year or more depending on the type of wood. Thats what the rest of us do. There really aint no other way. African mahogany dries pretty fast, so a couple of years should do.

I know a Reyes blanca from 1962. It has a totally flatsawn neck that is straight and good. I think the guitar is worth around 28000,-€
I personally prefer quatersawn necks.



Stephen Eden -> RE: Does the grain direction matter in a mahogany neck? (Jul. 6 2015 12:22:59)

All of my flat sawn Mahogany is for my student level guitars so the look is not a major concern of mine. Sill I don't mind the look of it so much.

I use the wieghing method when I can't be sure too. I do over a few months to be sure.

Anders - buying wood and storing it for two years is great but not an option for a lot of people who are just looking to make a few a guitars and especially those at the beginning of thier guitar building journey!



Ahmed Flamenco -> RE: Does the grain direction matter in a mahogany neck? (Jul. 6 2015 12:24:23)

quote:

by accurately weighing the wood and recording it over time

For how long should I do that?



estebanana -> RE: Does the grain direction matter in a mahogany neck? (Jul. 6 2015 13:19:08)

My take on the situation is to try to use the oldest vertical grain neck wood you can find in the beginning. Try to source some aged wood and build with that now. And continue to collect wood and store it, but learn over time as your experience and knowledge grows when to bring in flat sawn wood.

Learning about wood is an ongoing thing, you never know everything. If you have a question now you might just get your own answer in 6 months or a year. Things become clear as you go and you can take calculated risks as your knowledge grows.

In the beginning be conservative and go with the dry wood you can purchase now, go with the best tops you can purchase. Spend extra money on tops and necks....being frugal is for experts not beginners. Get the best materials and when you gain experience you will naturally know which decisions to make about which grade and cut to use.



Ahmed Flamenco -> RE: Does the grain direction matter in a mahogany neck? (Jul. 6 2015 15:10:39)

The mahogany pieces I have right now are very stiff, some of them have a metallic sound when I hit them,but others do not have the same bright sound ,that makes me say that they are not of the same age.



estebanana -> RE: Does the grain direction matter in a mahogany neck? (Jul. 6 2015 15:24:49)

quote:

The mahogany pieces I have right now are very stiff, some of them have a metallic sound when I hit them,but others do not have the same bright sound ,that makes me say that they are not of the same age.


Then they are more likely not the same density or same size or shape.



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