One Piece Neck 4a

Add a Comment

Comment by Akira Sakamoto on June 4, 2012 at 9:23

Thank you, again, for detailed explanation.  I've always interested in any kinds of craftsman works, especially the those of musical instruments!

Comment by Scot Tremblay on June 3, 2012 at 23:38

Spruce/pine was often used for lute and guitar necks. It's a very strong stable wood, especially when quarter sawn (vertical grain) as this one is and plenty strong to hold the tension on a lute or 19th century guitar. Maple was used by some as well as Basswood/Lime/Linden. Maple, more so the French (Lacote etc) than the other schools but one sees it used throughout the 19th century schools of guitar building. 

 

Generally the Viennese guitar necks were dyed black and varnished but occassionally veneered (often with a decorative pattern) so the spruce will be veneered and the maple not. The maple is a bit of an experiment for an instrument that I hope to keep for myself so I may leave it natural. Contrary to common belief the luthier never has a selfmade instrument for him/herself to play just as the shoemakers children never have shoes and the auto mechanic always drives an old wreck. ;)

 

 

Comment by Akira Sakamoto on June 3, 2012 at 22:55

Thank you, Scot, for the reply. It is surprising to realize that spruce can hold the tension of the strings. I've heard that spruce had been used for the necks of lutes, too. Is the spruce neck going to be wrapped with ebony veneer?

Comment by Scot Tremblay on June 3, 2012 at 21:02

One is indeed maple and the other is spruce.

Comment by Akira Sakamoto on June 3, 2012 at 20:14

Oh, this is truly a precision work!  One neck looks like it is made of maple.  What kind of wood is used for another one?

Comment by Scot Tremblay on June 2, 2012 at 19:49

Now for the really fun part....shaping them to look like what they are supposed to be...