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cedar neck?

Posted by Sumner McLain on September 11, 2012 at 1:51pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Well yesterday I spoke with a local rustic furniture builder in town and he sold me a 4"x12"x4' slab of cedar as well as more oak flooring than i could ever use and some really nice black walnut. i plan on using the oak and walnut to experiment with some laminate necks and such, my question is- has anyone ever used cedar for a neck and if so how does it hold up? i know for bodies cedar has a great tone, im just worried about standing up to string tension and whether or not it will hold frets.

Thanks guy!

 

Sumner 

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Replies

  • Skeesix September 13, 2012 at 12:06pm

    Spanish cedar is traditionally used for Spanish/classical guitar necks. It's also used for cigar boxes. The wood is actually a lightweight, fragrant form of mahogany. The Latin name is cedrela odorata. If this is what you have, it would make a great neck. If not, probably best to laminate, or stick with making a body.


    Do you have any idea what your species of cedar is?

  • Mike Gallagher September 13, 2012 at 4:52am

    I've used quite a lot of cedar in necks but have always laminated the necks. Have a look in the photos section for a look at some I have done.

    Mike

  • Order99 September 12, 2012 at 11:40am
    I've only done one side-to-side laminate neck to date as an experiment-sadly the results are still trapped in my cheap phone.. :( Every build I have in my current Photo page however is a front to back lamination build.

    My design choice of neck is a matter of finances and skill level rather than a quest for the World's Strongest Neck. Shaping a head/neck from scratch involves access to power tools I can't afford anytime soon and room for a workshop...building a laminated neck is just a matter of Titebond, spring clamps, wood rasp and pocket knife for finishing work on the porch...

    Also, Laminating let's me do fun stuff like glue an oak slat and a fretboard to a broken tennis racket I fished out of the dumpster and wind up with a guitar. :D
  • Sumner McLain September 12, 2012 at 9:09am

    wow all very helpful info. wormil-that link is gonna come in real handy. I've though about laminating cedar/black walnut/cedar side by side, give it that skunk tail look or possibly cedar/oak/cedar with a walnut fretboard. Kid-good idea with the bodies. I'm thinking solidbody electric mandolin. order99-correct me if i'm wrong, it sounds like you are describing lamination from back to front. I've never seen necks made that way, usually the strips are glued side by side that i have seen. am i just misunderstanding? anyways, pictures of that would be awesome if i could see what you mean

     

    Thanks again guys

     

    Sumner

  • Order99 September 12, 2012 at 2:41am
    Cedar? That is going to be one fantastic neck!

    If you're worried about strength though, why not just go ahead and laminate with the cedar too? I limit myself to Poplar and oak usually(the 'Home Depot special' , i'm a real cheapskate) and I use one layer of poplar to start( easy to carve and shape) at least one layer of Oak for strength and then my fretboard when the neck is thick enough for personal preference.

    I don't see any reason you can't just use solid Cedar if you want as long as the neck is meaty enough to suit-if you're worried though, there's alwatsthe option of routing a channel for a professional or homemade Truss Rod, then hiding the addition with a fretboard.
  • The Phrygian Kid September 11, 2012 at 10:22pm

    ive done a few cedar necks.  although its soft and easy to bruise / mark it is reasonable strong and more resistant to warping/twisting than pine imho.  mind you im in Australia, might be different stuff.  the only cedar ive had in quantities is western red cedar and im comparing it to pinus radiata that we grow around here.  It DOES NOT hold frets too well tho, you are spot on about that id look at a hardwood fingerboard or you'll have to super glue them in.

    if i were youI would consider saving that cedar for three solid bodies, one piece cedar bodies would be sweet, its a very musical wood, and it seems a terrible shame to rip a foot wide piece into neck blanks, its the width that costs money in wood, not the length

  • Low Budget Luthier September 11, 2012 at 5:52pm

    any wood will work. if it is soft, cut it on the bias or lam small strips together.

  • Bluesheart September 11, 2012 at 5:27pm

    I would image a cedar would be fine for a 3-4 string cbg w/o any truss rod or anything.

  • wormil September 11, 2012 at 5:27pm

    That's a nice haul. What kind of cedar? Red cedar is stronger than white, eastern is stronger than western.

    Here is an interesting link comparing various woods.

    http://workshopcompanion.com/KnowHow/Design/Nature_of_Wood/3_Wood_S...

    Probably be fine for a 3 string, maybe 4, if you leave some thickness to the neck.

  • Sumner McLain September 11, 2012 at 1:52pm

    btw-all the above mentioned lumber cost me 20 bucks--what a steal! he promises to have some bald cypress, spruce, maple, and more black walnut when i return.

     

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