Hickory as neck material

otterhound · November 27th, 2009, 05:27 PM

I have some Hickory , here . Any opinions as to the suitability for neck and/or fretboard . I would like to do a one piece neck build sometime if applicable .

jkingma · November 27th, 2009, 05:30 PM

It's definitely hard enough for a fretbaord but I can't comment on its stability for a neck... but my best guess would be that its okay.

CDKopf · November 27th, 2009, 05:33 PM

Its good enough for sledge hammer handles why wouldnt it work as a guitar neck? Well on second thought I HAVE seen lots of warped and bowed sledge hammers and axes. Maybe due to being outside. Only one way to find out!

cletus · November 27th, 2009, 05:37 PM

NO. I'm a custom builder here in SC. I just finished an entire kitchen in hickory ( cabinet face stiles, raised panel doors, crown molding, etc..) and this is the most unstable wood ever. The slightest bit of moisture only accelerates the warping and twisting that is gonna happen anyway.

On a side note: I highly recommend it for BBQ or smoking a ham.

cletus

BigDaddyLH · November 27th, 2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cletus

On a side note: I highly recommend it for BBQ or smoking a ham.

The Bar-be-caster!

jkingma · November 27th, 2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cletus

NO. I'm a custom builder here in SC. I just finished an entire kitchen in hickory ( cabinet face stiles, raised panel doors, crown molding, etc..) and this is the most unstable wood ever. The slightest bit of moisture only accelerates the warping and twisting that is gonna happen anyway.

On a side note: I highly recommend it for BBQ or smoking a ham.

cletus

I put hickory hardwood floors in my dining room, on the stairs and in all the hallways of our house. The leftover wood has been in my very damp basement for a couple years now and its as straight as an arrow.

otterhound · November 27th, 2009, 06:41 PM

With the use of Hickory for a neck or fretboard , I would be able to build from woods that I have harvested personally . I like that idea very much . Keep the input coming , please . From what I can gather from this , so far , is that Hickory has potential , as long as it is sealed . I can live with that . Cherry and Hickory Bar-Be-Caster . Heck , maybe I could do a body from this stuff , as well .

RodeoTex · November 27th, 2009, 07:44 PM

I remember reading somewhere that Fender used hickory for necks when maple wasn't available.

joe desperado · November 28th, 2009, 12:43 AM

Hickory is fine. Make sure is at 10% relative moisture and it will be fine. Gibson and Taylor have both recently made complete guitars out of it. It might be a bit heavy.

November 27th, 2009, 05:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
otterhound Banned Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Manheim Pa. Posts: 1,675 12 Photos	Hickory as neck material I have some Hickory , here . Any opinions as to the suitability for neck and/or fretboard . I would like to do a one piece neck build sometime if applicable .

November 27th, 2009, 05:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
jkingma Friend of Leo's Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: N43° 11.943 ~ W079° 35.285 Posts: 3,727 18 Photos	It's definitely hard enough for a fretbaord but I can't comment on its stability for a neck... but my best guess would be that its okay. __________________ Creator of Fine Sawdust and Expensive Kindling.

November 27th, 2009, 05:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
CDKopf Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spokane, Wa Age: 35 Posts: 709 3 Photos	Its good enough for sledge hammer handles why wouldnt it work as a guitar neck? Well on second thought I HAVE seen lots of warped and bowed sledge hammers and axes. Maybe due to being outside. Only one way to find out! __________________ "Worrying is like a rocking chair...it'll keep you occupied, but it doesn't really get you anywhere". www.myspace.com/rockabilly45s

November 27th, 2009, 05:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
cletus Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Charleston SC Age: 44 Posts: 365 5 Photos	NO. I'm a custom builder here in SC. I just finished an entire kitchen in hickory ( cabinet face stiles, raised panel doors, crown molding, etc..) and this is the most unstable wood ever. The slightest bit of moisture only accelerates the warping and twisting that is gonna happen anyway. On a side note: I highly recommend it for BBQ or smoking a ham. cletus __________________ I chased a chicken.

November 27th, 2009, 07:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
RodeoTex Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,125	I remember reading somewhere that Fender used hickory for necks when maple wasn't available. __________________ Turn it on, turn it up, turn me loose.

November 27th, 2009, 06:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
otterhound Banned Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Manheim Pa. Posts: 1,675 12 Photos	With the use of Hickory for a neck or fretboard , I would be able to build from woods that I have harvested personally . I like that idea very much . Keep the input coming , please . From what I can gather from this , so far , is that Hickory has potential , as long as it is sealed . I can live with that . Cherry and Hickory Bar-Be-Caster . Heck , maybe I could do a body from this stuff , as well .

November 28th, 2009, 12:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
joe desperado Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 219	Hickory is fine. Make sure is at 10% relative moisture and it will be fine. Gibson and Taylor have both recently made complete guitars out of it. It might be a bit heavy.

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