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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on November 30, 2018 at 6:03pm

Hi Eric, I cant speak from personal experience of actually using it, so see what others say who may have.

As it is considered a soft wood, and recommended as an alternative to Western Red Cedar, I myself would be wary, but like I said I don't know. I always prefer hardwoods for necks. But Redwood is listed as stable and strong so a suitably dimensioned piece with a rosewood fingerboard and only three strings is worth a try. If the grain is on the quarter all the better.

If it was me I would screw or bolt the neck on so I could swap it if not happy later.

Taff                                    

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on November 30, 2018 at 7:51pm

I've seen a few guitar builds over on the TDPRI Guitar Forum using Redwood, but it was mostly used on the bodies. I would do a big google search on it and read through the builds first. 

It's a real nice looking wood. If it's soft, then a trussrod will probably be a must have item. I think Maple and Oak make better and more stable necks. I've been using Red Oak for necks and fretboards for quite awhile with great results. Most of my 6 string guitars have Maple necks and I love them.

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on November 30, 2018 at 8:17pm

I’ve used redwood on one stringers,but wouldn’t use it on a 3 stringer without a hardwood fretboard.

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Permalink Reply by Eric W on December 2, 2018 at 1:08am

Thanks to everyone for your input. I'm going to.give the Redwood a shot. The reason I want to use the Redwood is because I am spending the winter in Northern California right in the middle on the Redwoods. I was given rough sawn 2 " x 6" piece. My plan is to make a one piece neck which I will leave a little thicker than I normally would. I'll get you posted on how it goes. Build begins today.

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on December 2, 2018 at 7:14am

Another thought is to laminate the neck, by alternating grain directions? 

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Permalink Reply by Shawn on December 4, 2018 at 4:54pm

Use it for body’s only as it will bow even with a hardwood fretboard. At least mine did and only a 3 string in openD

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