Roasted maple neck on Sire D5--too roasted?

[coloradoslim]

So my long-awaited D5 finally showed up at Sweetwater. In reviewing the pix (see enclosed) before I finalize the purchase, however, I noticed that there appears to be a huge variation in color--much darker--from the headstock down into the seventh fret. Coloration on the back of the neck looks pretty uniform. My SW rep says he sees this occasionally on roasted necks, that it does not present any structural issues, is within spec and has been cleared by their set-up team. I'm no luthier and I trust their expertise, but it would seem that the neck wasn't uniformly dried, which could affect stability and possibly sound. Structural/sound concerns or just an aesthetic consideration? Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.

 

[4SG]

I don't know about structural/sound concerns, either, but I'd say that neck was barbecued rather than roasted. Too well done for my taste.

 

[coloradoslim]

Thanks. My weak analogy is roasted marshmallows: big difference in taste and texture between golden brown and charcoaled.

 

[bholder]

Mine just arrived too, I'll have to see if there are pics of it...

 

[bholder]

Cool, here's mine:

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...note it also shows a darker headstock varying to lighter up the neck - makes me think it's probably more of a lighting artifact, cause by reflection angles, than a real color difference. I hope. We'll find out when it arrives.

 

[bholder]

yours is definitely much darker than mine, but the color variation up the neck seems similar?

 

[ElectricBass72]

Here's my fretless V5......

 

[bholder]

Here's my fretless V5......

View attachment 4585933

Well, discount camera angle, then...

 

[abarson]

Just so I understand: these are one piece necks without a glued on fretboard?

 

[coloradoslim]

Cool, here's mine:

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...note it also shows a darker headstock varying to lighter up the neck - makes me think it's probably more of a lighting artifact, cause by reflection angles, than a real color difference. I hope. We'll find out when it arrives.

Nice! Much lighter neck and headstock. BTW: Great grain in the alder body. Enjoy it when it shows up!

 

[micguy]

All my instruments (save one fretless) have roasted necks, and they seem to be tough enough. None of them are quite that dark, though - Warmoth does a light roast, i guess. Coffee, however, you ned a good dark roast.

 

[bassliner50]

Left in the oven 12-15 minutes in excess.

 

[MrClassicMetal]

Here's mine, it's roasted neck is pretty dark as well:

 

[KJMO]

I think there is a lot of variation. My maruszczyk is very lightly roasted, whereas my Warmoth is pretty dark. I think it has some to do with the sugar content of the wood. But the warmoth is a little more brittle (no finish), which is to be expected. I don't see a problem with it though, because you shouldn't be banging it around anyway. I remember seeing that the roasted bodies at warmoth got much lighter over a few months, so maybe they found they were too brittle?
Maybe a Woodhead would know why there is variation on the same neck, but I've never seen that.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Here's mine, it's roasted neck is pretty dark as well:

View attachment 4586114

Nice tones, there.

 

[Dave Leighton]

I like the lighter with that "burst"

 

[Swampman Cory]

I love it. I think yours looks better than what it's "supposed to" look like. Obviously, your tastes may differ... but I say you hit the jackpot.

 

[coloradoslim]

Just so I understand: these are one piece necks without a glued on fretboard?

Hard to tell, but from the pix on the Sire site, the neck looks to be one piece with no separate fretboard.

 

[Vodyanoi]

I'm no luthier and I trust their expertise, but it would seem that the neck wasn't uniformly dried, which could affect stability and possibly sound.

I'm not a luthier, just a bbq afficionado: The minute differences in color you see down the neck is due to the grille.

Joking aside, that tobacco burst is sweet!

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[BAG]

I really like the way that goes from very dark to a lighter colour... it somewhat mimics the burst of the body.