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I was wondering if there was anything to consider when using flat sawn maple boards for necks, other then going for as straight a piece of wood as possible? I know that quarter sawn wood is better for stability and is typically the norm, but Fender seems to often use flat sawn maple on their necks, and its an awful lot easier to find good flat sawn maple boards at the lumber supply than quarter sawn ones. I've also read that figuring in the maple is more evident in flat sawn boards.

Conor, my take on the subject is quarter sawn is better for a neck.
I never use flat sawn for that.
What I do if I have a nice seasoned flat sawn board,
I rip it so you basically have something close to quartered,
and do a 2 piece laminated neck.
I think the only reason we see flat sawn necks,
is because Leo was trying to save money.
Alan

I buy flat sawn boards, rip them into strips, and rotate them 90° and glue them together. Now you have a quarter sawn laminated neck, which will be more stable.

But I’ve also made flat sawn necks. They work fine too.


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I use flat sawn maple on some of my custom guitars. I am particular about the cut.... I often cut up a 5/4x6 to get one premium flat one pc. neck and pieces for a 3 pc one as leftovers.

In my blank I want a cut that is from the 12"- 18" diameter section of the tree so the grains are neither to arched or to flat. The lengthwise grains on both sides of the billet must be straight and true for the entire length of the neck. So boards cut from bent or waning logs will not do.

I start with 5/4 so I can exactly follow the grain orientation in all directions and have a regular size blank in the end. Necks are constructed with the finger board on the side that was toward the center of the tree.

Of course I'm almost as picky about the strips used in a laminate neck.... necks are that important. Select the lumber correct and work with it instead of against it and you'll always get the best results. Oh, and you won't need stuff like carbon rods to help keep it straight....

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

All the above, but what not just go for all you can get! Roasted flame very well quartered, and a perfectly quartered flame maple, The natural colored neck is out of a $21 turning blank, three $7 necks

Fender has made a jillion flat sawn necks.
I’ve made a few without problems.

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