Quilted neck

[Jim Hilburn]

What's everyone's opinion on using quilted maple for the neck. I'm starting my first mandolin using quilt and I do like to match the woods, but Bill B. said he thought it was a little un-stable for necks. Who's used it and with what results?

[Dale Ludewig]

Jim- I'm in the process, as I get the shop back in shape here, of making two quilted mandos- they will be two points with oval holes. Later will come F hole models. The wood is really beautiful. I got it from Spruce. I've not made a neck from it before (or yet), but Bruce says it should be stable. I'm going to make two piece necks, so there will be a bit of added stability with a glue joint down the middle, but it's still quilted. I trust Bruce's judgement. I've made 3 mando's with one piece quilted backs from his wood. They've turned out to be extremely stable, as far as I can tell, and have some of the best tone I've managed to squeeze out of my instruments.

I also figure that with a truss rod or a carbon fiber piece down the middle, things should be fine. Especially if Bruce says so, right Spruce? Seriously, with a truss rod, fingerboard lamination, I'm not worried about it. I'd be more concerned with the moisture content of the wood, or any wood, that I was using to make the neck.

Just my .02 worth.

[Jim Hilburn]

Well, mine is from Bruce to, so it should be fine. Bruce says so.

[Michael Lewis]

Quilted maple can be softer than other figures, but with proper care and planning should serve well. #I have used quilted maple a few times, maybe half a dozen, and have had no trouble with necks. #Usually my necks are flat sawn, which is the cut of quilted figure. #The necks are reinforced with 1/4" X 1/2" carbon fiber bars. #If I were using adjustable truss rods I would leave the neck thicker or use a different maple. #One way to tell if this wood will be servicable or not is to make the neck of your dreams and string it up. #You should know within a couple years.

[oldwave maker]

I think what I meant to say was that Bruce and I together could jump up and down on a hard maple neck blank without snapping it at the nut, but I could snap some of my quilted blanks with just my lil ole hundred kilos! had no trouble so far with quilted ovalhole necks with 3/8x1/4 graphite and fresh hot hide glued neck/board joint.

[Gavin Baird]

Jim,
I have been using Quilted Maple, also from Spruce, fo quite a few of my Mandos and have had no problems...G

[Tom C]

My neck is quilted but also a 3-piece neck but I'm just an <s>end user.</s> picker (sorry, I'm at work)

[sunburst]

I've built 3 or so with quilted back sides and neck. No problems with any of them that I know of, I don't know where any of them are now.

[Russ Jordan]

Here's my Gerald Anderson F5 back and lower part of neck. The back and neck wood (purchased from Spruce) are from the same board. The neck is laminated with an ebony strip. Its been played hard for a year with no problems.

[boboshoes]

Quilted is about al I use any more. Here's one that has been beat on daily for a few years and no I'll effects.
Tim