Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Neck Woods: Looking for a Maple Alternative
- Thread starter bassvirtuoso
- Start date
More importantly, does mahogany sound like maple? No.
I need to try this again: What wood has the closest sound qualities of Maple but isn't Maple?
I need to try this again: What wood has the closest sound qualities of Maple but isn't Maple?
I mentioned roasted maple, and pau ferro... Both can be played raw, one is maple, and the other sound close...
Yep, so far I have Pau Ferro/Morado and Ash for woods that I'm considering. I kind of doubt there's much else out there.
If you prefer to have the sound of maple, why are you then not interested in maple that can be played raw as you prefer? Thinking about the new roasted stuff... Do you want a different color/grain than maple, or..!?
An all ebony neck could treat you right as well. Had one on a P bass and it was tonally close to the maple P I had at the time
As mentioned above I also had a P bass with ebony neck. Mine was way too heavy though - welcome to neck dive...
The body on mine was ash with all brass hardware but ultralight tuners so it ended up being reasonably balanced
I know of roasted maple's existence, so I guess I'm skipping past it for now. I just don't want maple, simple as that.
This would be something to watch for sure, even though the body will be semi-heavy mahogany.
Mine had old style tuners when I bought it had the old style heavy tuners and was extremely neck heavy. After replacing the tuners with ultralites it was better, but still neck heavy. Too much for me, and actually I prefer the feel of pau ferro...
i did a bit of research on this a while back - padauk is on average very similar in density to hard maple - and can be played raw. I'm sure grain structure plays some role, but i'l bet density is a pretty good indicator of tone?
I'd actually like to hear more real world experience with Padauk....I kind of want to use it but afraid it'll be too close to the compressed tone of Wenge and the like...
padauk is at the very least, really really good looking wood.
i had a padauk neck from warmoth, weighed the same as a maple one - but sold it on before ever using it on a bass
i had a padauk neck from warmoth, weighed the same as a maple one - but sold it on before ever using it on a bass
View media item 3267
View media item 3268
I have a wenge neck and a bubinga neck...I think the bubinga is closer to maple than the wenge. It is super smooth and no finish required!
View media item 3268
I have a wenge neck and a bubinga neck...I think the bubinga is closer to maple than the wenge. It is super smooth and no finish required!
I have played padauk necks, the feel very nice and does not need a finish. From my understanding it's close to maple in tone.
I also have two padauk neck blanks and they are quite different. One is quite dense, close grained and darker in color. The other one is light (lighter than maple), more open grained and is more orange in color.
I also have two padauk neck blanks and they are quite different. One is quite dense, close grained and darker in color. The other one is light (lighter than maple), more open grained and is more orange in color.
Hopkins
Commercial User
Well, first of all, what other woods is the body going to be made of. Some woods just won't work aesthetically with other woods. I won't quote on the tonal signature, because I think aesthetics are far more important, but walnut is the most similar wood to soft maple that I have worked with as far as hardness and grain consistency. Jotoba is pretty similar to hard maple. I have worked with padauk as well as wenge, neither of them I would consider structurally similar to maple.
But personally, you are putting way to much stock into the tonal contributions of the neck wood, and you could stand to be a little less short with people when asking opinions on a public forum.
But personally, you are putting way to much stock into the tonal contributions of the neck wood, and you could stand to be a little less short with people when asking opinions on a public forum.
Last edited:
Manton Customs
UK Luthier
It's standard Northern Ash (Fraxus Americana). I would imagine Mr Drake would be able to find it at a local sawmill, that's certainly the case over here with our English subspecies which is a very similar tree. Picking the right piece aesthetically and structurally is important with Ash, so if he could see before he buys so much the better. I use 1/4 sawn for my Ash necks.
I'm sure the build will come out great whatever you choose, I respect Drake and the way he (works with a good level of attention to detail).
