Best Wood for Guitar Neck

The guitar has many parts that play a role in the overall sound and tone the guitar produces. One of the essential parts is the guitar neck, which impacts the sound depending on the type of wood used.

Woods have different densities, textures, and impacts. Guitars mainly have a combination of different woods, depending on the parts. Guitar necks feature a heavier wood than the body.

If you have played a variety of guitars, it is good to understand how the wood on the guitar neck makes the tone. Some woods like mahogany are more textured while others are smoother.

The wood type featured on the guitar neck affects the guitar tone. For electric guitars, maple wood necks are ideal due to their ability to deliver a twangy, bright sound. Mahogany wood, on the other hand, features a thick, warm tone that is perfect for acoustic guitars.

Types of Wood for Guitar Neck

Guitars normally have different types of wood on different parts of the guitar. The common types of guitar woods that you are likely to find on guitar necks are:

Mahogany

This is a type of hardwood used in guitar necks. Mahogany woods have a high density and are heavy. Different types of mahogany woods can be used for guitar necks including African mahogany and American mahogany.

Mahogany is not only strong and durable, but it is also surprisingly easy to bend and shape. Mahogany necks are good for acoustic guitars, and for jazz and blues types of playing. Mahogany necks deliver a warm, and thick sound with a slow output.

Maple

Maple wood necks are a signature for most fender guitars. Maple wood has a higher density than mahogany wood. Maple wood is smooth, and it delivers the best bright tones for electric guitars.

Maple wood delivers a twangy, bright sound that is great for telecaster, and Stratocaster guitars. Due to its high density, maple wood is durable and hard.

It is perfect for electric guitars because it allows rapid transitions for guitarists without causing unwanted friction through the frets.

The wood has a brighter color compared to other woods. This makes it even more suitable to use as a top cover for when making guitars.

Rosewood

Rosewood produces a warm tone. This is a type of hardwood that can be used in both the guitar neck and the guitar body. The wood is preferred when there is a need to smoothen high frequencies and mute overtones. Rosewood is mostly used for acoustic guitars.

Koa

This is a Hawaiian wood with high density. If you want a balance between warm and bright tones, you should go for a guitar with a Koa neck. Koa neck guitars are combined with ebony fretboards to deliver a perfect balance tone.

Does the Type of Wood for the Guitar Neck Matter?

The type of wood featured on the guitar neck delivers different results when playing. Mahogany, rosewood, maple, and Koa all give a different vibe to the guitar. Here’s why the type of wood on the guitar neck matters:

Support

Guitar necks support the strings and are what hold the guitar together. The neck needs to be strong, and this is why guitar necks feature high-density wood to deliver enough support for the guitar parts relying on the neck.

Tone

The wood used on the guitar necks makes the tone brighter or darker. For instance, maple wood is dense and has a brighter tone as opposed to mahogany which has a darker tone.

The wood used on the guitar neck should not absorb a lot of energy from the string’s vibration. It should therefore be dense to create less absorption.

Playability

Apart from the type of wood on the guitar neck, the width, and shape of the neck also determines the playability of the guitar.

Wide-neck guitars are suitable for guitar players with fat fingers. Guitars with thin necks on the other hand are ideal for guitarists with slender fingers.

FAQs

What Is the Strongest Wood for Guitar Necks?

Maple wood has a higher density than other woods and is the strongest for guitar necks. The high density gives it reliable sustainability and stability.

Does the Wood On the Guitar Neck Matter?

The wood on the guitar neck determines the type of tone you get from the guitar. High-density woods like maple have a brighter tone than woods like mahogany which are lower in density.