Flame Maple Neck blank-Bowed

[Flynman]

I have a really nice piece of Flame maple 30"x5"x1" that I was going to use for a neck on my next Tele build. The only problem is it has a slight bow about 8-10 inches from one end. It was straight when I got it a few months ago. Is there anyway to straighten it out? Does it need to be run through a Jointer or Planer? I have a planer. I layed it on a flat surface and put a board on top of it with weights for a few weeks but bow is still there. What is the mininmum thickness I need for neck with a Rosewwod fretboard? Any suggestions?


Thanks
Keith

[Groovey Records]

be glad it bowed now not after you made the neck. I will yield to other authorities but that seems to be too small a piece anyway

Length and width seems good depending on which sides need plaining. 1 " thick might be a wee bit thin to shape a neck if it needs plained.

[Little Nip]

This blank may or may not work for you. I suggest you put it aside for several seasons. I also suggest that you allow the wood to do what it wants. Trying to impose your will on it is flawed logic. Try to measure exactly how much bow it has now, set it aside and measure again in the spring. If it hasn't changed significantly there may be hope for this blank. You have plenty of width, if you don't know what the moisture content (MC) is it might be helpful to know (you could stab it with a moisture meter or cut a small piece and calculate using the bake test). Regardless of the MC you should allow air to get all around the piece as it sits.