Maple. Maple is often used in Fender and many other manufacturers instruments. In some cases, a solid, one-piece neck with integral fretboard of maple is used. In this case, the truss rod is inserted into the neck through a slot in the back of the neck and then the slot is covered with another (generally contrasting) piece of wood. In other cases, the maple neck is topped with a fretboard of a second type of wood (commonly, rosewood). Maple necks add tightness and cutting tones to a guitar. It is a characteristically bright neck wood choice.

Maple is used for both neck shaft wood and fingerboards.

Mahogany. Mahogany necks are often coupled with a mahogany or mahogany/maple body, such as on Gibson’s instruments. Mahogany is more porous and open than maple, and does not have maple’s hardness, strength, or stability.

Mahogany is used for neck shafts only. It is generally topped with Ebony, Rosewood or some other hard wood.

Bloodwood. Bloodwood is traditionally known by the name Satine. Bloodwood is a bright red color that will darken to a brownish red over time with exposure to light. Applying a thick finish and keeping the wood out of sunlight can help slow this change. Bloodwood grain is usually straight or slightly interlocked.

Bloodwood is used for both neck shafts and for fingerboards.

Bubinga. Bubinga ranges from a pinkish red to a darker reddish brown with darker purple or black streaks. Sapwood is a pale straw color and is clearly demarcated from the heartwood. Bubinga is frequently seen with a variety of figure. It has grain that is straight to interlocked.

Bubinga is used for neck shafts.

Canarywood. Canarywood’s color can vary a fair amount, from a pale yellow-orange to a darker reddish brown, usually with darker streaks. Color tends to darken and streaking becomes less pronounced with age.

Canarywood is used for neck shafts and for fingerboards.

Padouk. Padouk’s color varies from pale pinkish orange to deep brownish red. Most pieces start reddish orange when cut, darkening substantially over time to a reddish/purplish.

Padouk is used for neck shafts and for fingerboards.

PurpleHeart. Purpleheart is a dull grayish/purplish brown when first cut. With light exposure, the wood becomes a deeper purple. With age and exposure to UV light, the wood becomes a dark brown with a hint of purple. This color-shift can be slowed and minimized by using a UV inhibiting finish on the wood.

Purpleheart is used for neck shafts and for fingerboards.

Indian Rosewood. Indian Rosewood varies from a golden brown to a deep purplish brown, with darker brown streaks. The wood darkens with age, usually becoming a deep brown. This is beautiful wood – either as a guitar neck, fingerboard or guitar body (it was good enough for George Harrison, so it is good enough for us!).

Rosewood is subject to CITES import and export restrictions. For this reason, we do not ship this wood outside of the USA.

Indian Rosewood is used for neck shafts.

Walnut. Walnut range from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Color can sometimes have a grey, purple, or reddish cast.

Walnut is used for both neck shaft and fingerboards.

Wenge. Wenge is medium brown, sometimes with a reddish or yellowish hue, with nearly black streaks. Upon application of a wood finish (particularly an oil finish) the wood can become nearly black.

Wenge is used for both neck shafts and for fingerboards.