Building up neck stock by laminating multiple pieces of wood.

Posted by arctangent on December 3, 2010 at 10:05am

Considering building up a neck by laminating 4 1x2 (each standing up on their side) so that i end up w/ a neck 1 1/2" wide by 1 1/2" tall. thot i've seen others do this here but was curious what folks thot about the pros and cons of doing so. Would doing this give me additional strength in the neck? (the portion of the neck outside the body would be shaped for comfortable playing....similar to traditional acoustic/electric necks and would enter the body w/ a heel and be about 1" tall going thru the body)

I plan to likely also laminate a couple of short 1x2 up at the headstock to give me a headstock width starting at 3".

While this approach may not even be that ugly w/ a natural finish, i'm already planning on painting the neck (and likely headstock as well) black.

The neck would then be topped w/ a 1 1/2" wide, 1/4" tall curly or birdseye maple fretboard.

Thots from our mighty cbg building veterans?

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Replies

JonBouye April 27, 2011 at 12:00am

Hey everyone. Travis I was considering doing this same thing for my 2nd build to learn how it works. Would Red Oak and Poplar be a suitable combo? I realize Red Oak is a little stronger than Poplar, but I want to make my mistakes on some inexpensive materials before I jump into the deep end. I have never done any woodworking so you advise is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Travis "SlackJack" Woodall said:
Maybe I misunderstood or misread, but if you stand up four pieces of 1x2 on their edges, that gives you a neck that's 3" wide, not 1 1/2". Maybe I missed something. Also, being in the wood business my whole life I will agree with everyone's assessment that laminating woods is stronger but be cautious to use woods that have similar dimensional stability ratings. If not, it will warp like a mother chicken. Also make sure they are kiln dried equally. I use a moisture meter. May be over doing it but it helps me avoid disasters. Best of luck, we'd love to see pics!
Steve (HaGGuS) Hattersley December 10, 2010 at 7:32am

Ready for clear coat. :)
arctangent December 7, 2010 at 9:27am

Travis "SlackJack" Woodall said:
Maybe I misunderstood or misread, but if you stand up four pieces of 1x2 on their edges, that gives you a neck that's 3" wide, not 1 1/2". Maybe I missed something. Also, being in the wood business my whole life I will agree with everyone's assessment that laminating woods is stronger but be cautious to use woods that have similar dimensional stability ratings. If not, it will warp like a mother chicken. Also make sure they are kiln dried equally. I use a moisture meter. May be over doing it but it helps me avoid disasters. Best of luck, we'd love to see pics!

My bad. I will only be laminating 2 pieces standing up on their side. I'll be laminating a couple of extra smaller length pieces up on the headstock to widen that area only.
Thanks again for all the replies!
Alan Roberts December 4, 2010 at 10:09am

One POSSIBLE downsize would be that a laminated neck might dampen the sustain. I glued up enough width to make a peghead, and it looks fine. Be sure to post photos when you're done!
Steve (HaGGuS) Hattersley December 3, 2010 at 5:43pm

I just did a meranti laminate. It gets sanded in a few days. 2* 42*19mm
Travis "SlackJack" Woodall December 3, 2010 at 12:35pm

Maybe I misunderstood or misread, but if you stand up four pieces of 1x2 on their edges, that gives you a neck that's 3" wide, not 1 1/2". Maybe I missed something. Also, being in the wood business my whole life I will agree with everyone's assessment that laminating woods is stronger but be cautious to use woods that have similar dimensional stability ratings. If not, it will warp like a mother chicken. Also make sure they are kiln dried equally. I use a moisture meter. May be over doing it but it helps me avoid disasters. Best of luck, we'd love to see pics!
arctangent December 3, 2010 at 11:01am

Wes "Blind Lemon Pledge" Yates said:
I habe noet been smiffing pPledsge gfumess. O don'w have a p[rtobe,m, U ave tjheu probnlem, @!@

[Snnnnnnnnnnnnfffffffffff. Ahhhhhhhhhhh]

-WY

LOL! u 2 break me up. Thanks again folks!!
herb Berwald WWW.CigarGuitar.com December 3, 2010 at 10:59am

go for it. the laminations will make for a stronger neck as you can orient the grain for maximum strength.

I did this for a banjo neck. I used some 1 by 6 pressure treated pine...now I have a neck that will last if I leave it outside in the weather..

just kidding. this is also a great method to add an accent stripe and thickness to the neck heal...good luck..
Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates December 3, 2010 at 10:51am

I habe noet been smiffing pPledsge gfumess. O don'w have a p[rtobe,m, U ave tjheu probnlem, @!@

[Snnnnnnnnnnnnfffffffffff. Ahhhhhhhhhhh]

-WY
Outhouse Instruments December 3, 2010 at 10:39am

Don't listen to Wes ... he's been sniffing pledge fumes!
Oh! Wait!

He's right, never mind me.

AFKAM