Birch OK for a neck?

[bill h]

Is it OK to use Birch for a neck? I have some laying around my shop, I don't want to spend the money on maple as it will be my first try at a neck.

[rdhbass]

I dont see why not, in the janka hardness ratings, it is harder than maple. But on the other hand u may have a heavy neck on your hands. I don't know the warpage factor of birch, but i would recommend using laminates with your birch. If u don't know what i mean, do a search on neck building in the Luthier's forum.

[nateo]

Sure, give 'er a go. Worst case scenario is that you used some cheap wood to build a practice neck that didn't work out. Best case you've got a perfectly working neck that cost you next to nothing. It's pretty much win win.

Personally I'd also use this project to practice some jointing and laminating. Not only will your neck be stiffer, but you'll sure be happy you at least went through the motions of a glue up before using expensive exotic wood.

-Nate

[tjclem]

I have some real tight grained Birch and have been wanting to do a neck too. I hope yours comes out nice good luck....t

[bill h]

Thanks for the info guys.

[arncliffe]

I wouldn`t.It`s hard wood, but russian woodworkers love it for other reason- best bending wood around.
Traditional sledges ( aka **troyka*)skis, wooden buckets-all made from birch-
you bend it- it stays this way forever.
I remember my birch fishing rods from my childhood.
Put it next to the wall overnight- you`ll get McDonalds arch
in the morning.Oh yeah, and I used to love archery when I was a kid- I was building lots of bows with my granpa))
Once we made a bow from birch, beautiful one.Next day it was useless.
I`m affraid, bass neck made from birch is going to behave the same way.Unless it`s some kind of different birch.

[mrphattay]

Hi
Alembic, during the early years, often used Birch Woodfor their Necks. Of course, they have always used laminates of various woods mated to the primary wood (Birch), in their Neck-thru construction. Whether or not these laminates are necessary to stabilize Birch, I have no idea.
Attached is a photo of an Alembic'76 Series 1, which used Birch as its primary Neck wood with Walnut stringers.

[bill h]

Originally Posted by mrphattay

Hi
Alembic, during the early years, often used Birch Woodfor their Necks. Of course, they have always used laminates of various woods mated to the primary wood (Birch), in their Neck-thru construction. Whether or not these laminates are necessary to stabilize Birch, I have no idea.
Attached is a photo of an Alembic'76 Series 1, which used Birch as its primary Neck wood with Walnut stringers.

Thanks for the post!!!
I will take a piece of stock 3/4 x51/2 birch and glue it up to make the neck, so I don't think I will have to worry about it not being a laminate. I will prob have four or five pieces of wood in it. I will have to keep an eye on how the grains macth out.

[mrphattay]

Glad to be of help. Post the photos when the project's completed. I'm sure they'll be of interest. Best of Luck.

[HeathW]

make sure it's quater sawn, (as all necks should be) otherwise the string may well likely bow it forward way to much.

[Suburban]

Simply put: there are too many birches around to give a simple answer! Just as there are too many maples...

Betula Pubecense, I believe it's called Downy Birch, is a splendid neck wood. In my mind: the optimal.

In the US, there is another birch, called Paper Birch, which I would never use for a neck.

What's your birch?

[bill h]

Originally Posted by Suburban

Simply put: there are too many birches around to give a simple answer! Just as there are too many maples...

Betula Pubecense, I believe it's called Downy Birch, is a splendid neck wood. In my mind: the optimal.

In the US, there is another birch, called Paper Birch, which I would never use for a neck.

What's your birch?

Thanks for all the help!!!

The birch that I have I got at the lumber yard. I'm not sure to tell you the truth. Its left over from a set of cabnets I made.

[FBB Custom]

Chances are in the US it's either Red or Yellow. If it has dark heartwood then it's more likely Red. Red birch is actually quite attractive and sometimes has a wide curl figure to it. It smells great when you work it!

Yellow has a more uniform light color. You see it a lot in moldings and architectural millwork. It often turns yellow-amber after finishing sitting around for years. This stuff is sometimes curly but it just doesn't look as cool as red.

Chances are it's not paper birch. The stuff does not get very big. I don't have stiffness numbers for yellow or red but maybe Suburban does. The lumberyard may not know the latin name but they should be able to tell you a little beyond birch if you call them.

[tjclem]

Originally Posted by FBB Custom

Chances are in the US it's either Red or Yellow. If it has dark heartwood then it's more likely Red. Red birch is actually quite attractive and sometimes has a wide curl figure to it. It smells great when you work it!

Yellow has a more uniform light color. You see it a lot in moldings and architectural millwork. It often turns yellow-amber after finishing sitting around for years. This stuff is sometimes curly but it just doesn't look as cool as red.

Chances are it's not paper birch. The stuff does not get very big. I don't have stiffness numbers for yellow or red but maybe Suburban does. The lumberyard may not know the latin name but they should be able to tell you a little beyond birch if you call them.

Thanks mine must be the yellow. It has very tight grain. I would be interested in the numbers on it too.......t

[Suburban]

You want numbers? For american birch?
Look at Pilotjones favourite place
http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/TechSheets...s/betula1.html

(I drilled down to birch, but just go up a copule of slashes, and find a lot more)