Oak bass neck.

[Lizooki]

Originally Posted by pilotjones

Please provide a source for this assertion.

My research has turned up that allergic reactions to oak are rare; are of moderate severity; and are generally caused by fungal matter in the bark, not by the wood. I have never found a mention of toxins in oak. It does not appear to be a species that self-protects by producing toxins, as many tropical species do.

I don't have an allergy problem with oak, but i do with oak dust. I have to wear a make when sanding or I end up with a migraine the next day.

Just like some are allergic to nuts and some aren't ... wood will be the same way.

Matt

[Beej]

Originally Posted by Chad.mundt

It seems to me that the only reason that Oak isn't used for instruments is the difficulty in the woodworking (which is simply laziness if you ask me) and the fact that the grain is quite open and doesn't respond to a heavy finish. Now I have to get a custom bass with an oak top with a dark stain, just so I get the uniqueness vote.

I actually find oak very easy to work with, and my own guess would be that it's not terribly commonly used because it is so commonly used in furniture and woodworking that's it's almost passe when it comes to guitars. I agree with it's use in guitars though, it can be a stunningly beautiful wood...

[Chaddycakes]

Originally Posted by Beej

I actually find oak very easy to work with, and my own guess would be that it's not terribly commonly used because it is so commonly used in furniture and woodworking that's it's almost passe when it comes to guitars. I agree with it's use in guitars though, it can be a stunningly beautiful wood...

Good reasoning, but maybe that isn't a very good argument for makers anymore with so many expensive exotic woods being asked for and this beautiful, potentially tone-inspiring wood is growing all around us. Lets make more American guitars.