Crafting a guitar neck that resonates with quality and playability starts with the right materials. Our maple electric Guitar Neck Blanks provide the perfect foundation for your next build, whether you’re a seasoned luthier or a passionate DIY enthusiast. Milled in the heart of Ohio, these blanks are cut from top-quality maple, ready to be shaped into the neck of your dreams.
For decades, maple (Acer saccharum), often referred to as Rock Maple or Hard Maple, has been the go-to choice for renowned guitar manufacturers like Fender and countless independent builders. Its reputation is well-earned: maple delivers exceptional strength and stability, ensuring your guitar neck remains straight and true, even under string tension and changing environmental conditions. Each of our AAA-grade maple pieces is meticulously planed, providing you with a clean, precise starting point for your neck crafting journey.
We offer maple neck blanks in two thicknesses to suit different construction preferences. The 1-inch thick blanks are ideal for creating classic one-piece Fender-style necks, allowing you to shape the neck and headstock from a single piece of wood. This method is favored for its traditional appeal and structural integrity. On the other hand, our 13/16-inch thick blanks are designed for necks that will incorporate a separate fingerboard. This approach provides design flexibility and is often preferred for necks with truss rods installed from the top.
While primarily intended for electric guitars, our maple neck blanks are incredibly versatile. Their robust nature and excellent tonal properties make them suitable for a wide range of instruments. If you’re envisioning an archtop guitar with a bright, articulate voice, or a bass guitar neck that can withstand heavy gauge strings, or even a banjo neck demanding strength and clarity, our maple blanks are up to the task. Let your creativity guide you – these blanks are ready to accommodate nearly any neck-building project you can imagine.
Working with hard maple is a pleasure for both hand and power tool users. It machines cleanly, allowing for crisp, sharp routed edges and smooth curves. Maple readily accepts glues, stains, and finishes, allowing you to achieve your desired aesthetic with ease. Its tight grain minimizes the need for grain fillers, saving you time and effort in the finishing process.
For over half a century, guitarplayers.net has been a trusted source of premium tonewood for instrument makers of all sizes. We understand the critical role wood plays in the sound and feel of an instrument. Each of our kiln-dried maple neck blanks is a solid, single piece of top-quality tonewood, carefully selected and prepared for bandsawing and shaping in your workshop. You can be confident that you are starting your project with the finest material available.
Key Features of Our Maple Guitar Neck Blanks:
- Premium Tonewood: Crafted from solid Rock Maple (Acer saccharum) known for its exceptional tonal qualities and structural integrity.
- AAA-Graded Quality: Top-quality AAA-graded maple ensures consistent grain and minimal imperfections for a superior finished neck.
- Thickness Options: Available in 1″ thick (quartersawn) for one-piece necks and 13/16″ thick (flatsawn) for necks with separate fingerboards.
- Ready for Shaping: Kiln-dried and planed, these blanks are prepared for bandsawing, shaping, and routing to your exact specifications.
To further streamline your neck building process, consider using a separate heel block. Many acoustic and archtop guitar builders prefer to attach a heel block to a thinner neck blank. This technique enhances neck joint strength and reduces wood waste. We offer matching maple Heel Block Blanks specifically designed for our maple necks. For longer 36″ neck blanks, you’ll have sufficient material to create a stacked heel, potentially eliminating the need for a separate heel block.
For guidance and inspiration, explore our “Neck Construction Tips and Techniques” resource. This guide provides valuable insights into adding headstock “ears,” routing for truss rods, classical guitar heel lamination, and more advanced neck building techniques.
Achieve the perfect neck profile with precision using our Neck Shaping Templates. Meticulously reproduced from legendary acoustic and electric guitars, these templates will help you create necks that are both comfortable and historically accurate. We also offer shaping templates for basses, banjos, and mandolins, ensuring you have the tools you need for any neck building project.
Start your next guitar building project with confidence. Choose our maple guitar neck blanks and experience the difference that quality tonewood makes.
