rosewood necks what do you all think? and a few Q's

[Xeromus]

For my upcoming warmoth strat project I was going to go with a maple neck with ebony fretboard, but I'm starting to consider rosewood with an ebony fretboard. What do you think? What differences can I expect? Does a rosewood neck need to be finished? I really like the feel of them, my buddy has a fretless bass with a rosewood neck and it's smooth and silky.

 

[clint_41]

Re: rosewood necks what do you all think? and a few Q's

youll probably want some kind of a finish on your neck, no matter what kind of wood you go with. my buddy has a nice fretless Fender Jazz bass with one of the best necks i have ever felt, and i think it has to do mostly with the finish. its a clear satin finish, which is what i went with on my warmoth maple neck. its very silky smooth, and fast. ive always heard that an unfinished neck will be much quicker to warp on you, and the closest you can get to unfinished is clear satin.

 

[big_black]

Re: rosewood necks what do you all think? and a few Q's

youll probably want some kind of a finish on your neck, no matter what kind of wood you go with. my buddy has a nice fretless Fender Jazz bass with one of the best necks i have ever felt, and i think it has to do mostly with the finish. its a clear satin finish, which is what i went with on my warmoth maple neck. its very silky smooth, and fast. ive always heard that an unfinished neck will be much quicker to warp on you, and the closest you can get to unfinished is clear satin.

The tendency to warp on an unfinished neck is false. Musicman does not finish their necks, I've posed this question to many long time owners and none have experienced unusual warping. They wax and oil the necks, and it should be reapplied like you would oil rosewood.

 

[aleclee]

Re: rosewood necks what do you all think? and a few Q's

A rosewood does not need to be finished any more than a rosewood freboard. It has enough internal oil that it is more resistant to environmental factors than maple or mahogany.

I have a guitar with an unfinished rosewood neck and like it enough that my next guitar will have an unfinished cocobolo neck.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: rosewood necks what do you all think? and a few Q's

hmm, thanks for the suggestions. The strat I was going to put together would have a mahogany body too. I was trying to consider also what would balance out the overall sound. How about a mahogany neck?

 

[Xeromus]

Re: rosewood necks what do you all think? and a few Q's

Not a bad idea.I would cap it for some added high's.
BTW-if you're interested I have a 20 year old Honduran mahogany blank all clamped up looking for a home if you want to buy it.

thanks man, but I don't have access right now to tools to make a neck or body from. I live in an apartment right now and access to a workshop is really limited. I wish I could get my hands dirty again. One of my teachers builds his own instruments, and he's real open with his students, I'm sure I might be able to go to his place and learn a few tricks.

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: rosewood necks what do you all think? and a few Q's

A rosewood does not need to be finished any more than a rosewood freboard. It has enough internal oil that it is more resistant to environmental factors than maple or mahogany.

I have a guitar with an unfinished rosewood neck and like it enough that my next guitar will have an unfinished cocobolo neck.

How does cocobolo sound?

 

[doctadre]

Re: rosewood necks what do you all think? and a few Q's

MY favorite combo is Maple neck, Ebony Board, oiled finish on the neck. Ebony is brighter than rosewood, adds a nice touch to the overall tone. Plus, it feels so smooth and bends strings so nicely

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: rosewood necks what do you all think? and a few Q's

MY favorite combo is Maple neck, Ebony Board, oiled finish on the neck. Ebony is brighter than rosewood, adds a nice touch to the overall tone. Plus, it feels so smooth and bends strings so nicely

Oil finishes sound warm though and not as bright... that's another factor to take into consideration if you want to be picky.