Using Maple Guitar Necks On Custom Guitars
As you hone your musical craft, you begin to recognize and have preference to the difference sounds and qualities of material used in your instrument. There may even come a point in which you want to try your hand at a custom made guitar of your choosing. As you contemplate the different designs and styles that will become your masterpiece, you must also determine the right materials to use in your piece. The type of wood you use in your guitar will affect the longevity, tone, and feel of the instrument. You want to make sure that they guitar meets your expectations from the beginning.
One of the most popular and frequently used materials used in a custom guitar is maple. Maple guitar necks offer some of the stronger wood types and provide not only a nice look and feel, but also a compelling tone to the instrument. The maple cuts nicely, and is easily smoothed over and painted. The maple tends to be strong enough to not require a great deal of adjustment on a frequent basis.
The two most common types of maple used in a maple guitar neck are birdseye and flame. Either type would be an excellent choice for your axe, and will provide you a unique sound and style.
Although maple is the one of the most popular woods used for a guitar neck, it is certainly not your only choice. Maple is often chosen because of its availability and price. If you are looking for a different sound from your instrument, you may be better off exploring different types of woods. Taking a visit down to a knowledgeable guitar shop can provide you an intimate look into the sounds and feels of other types of wood for your guitar. Sometimes simply trying out different sounds is sufficient to finding the right wood type for your needs.