No self-build guitar project could ever be complete without a neck. Perhaps one of the most important parts of any acoustic or electric guitar, there's a lot to consider when picking out the right neck for your model.
Picking Out Your Guitar Neck: Maple or Mahogany?
The wood that the neck of any guitar has been carved from has an influence over the final sound. While most ST-style guitars will have a maple neck, which is a light wood that adds a bright bite to the sound, LP-style guitars usually have a mahogany neck which is a darker wood that adds a warmer sonic accent. Another important thing to think about is the fretboard: lighter maple or darker blackwood, poplar, pau ferro or (lesser and lesser used) rosewood will also add their own specific timbre to the sound of a guitar.
Replacing and Setting Up the Neck: Do it Yourself
For the more creative guitar builder and modder, you can even get guitar necks with an uncut headstock so you can give it a custom shape. Whatever neck you choose, fitting it to the body of a guitar is not exactly straightforward. You need to make sure that it's bolted or set in straight, matches the scale length and can handle the string tension of your model. If you're not too sure where to begin, then you can find some expert help in our blog How to Set Up an Electric Guitar.
From Budget Guitar Necks to Genuine Fender Telecaster Necks
Names like Fazley and Boston offer a wide range of necks at really reasonable prices, which are perfect for projects on a tight budget, but you can also get necks made by bigger names like Fender, who offer 100% Fender-built necks that match their most iconic models, series and specs.
