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Neck is bowing...

I used a straight poplar 2X1 for the neck (through neck) on my first build... it's straight until I put the strings under tension, then the neck bows slightly, but enough so the action is way too high. Is poplar just a bad wood to use, or is there something I can do make sure the neck stays straight?

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on March 7, 2010 at 2:20am

I have not made many, yet but have had good luck so far. I used cherry on the first 2 ( I thought it was mahogany but my brother told me its cherry) I am building 2 now with black walnut. Why the fancy wood you ask, because it was free. Use what you can get and make it work. I like Rogers idea of laminating and cutting the necks, 3/4 inch juts isn't thick enough, 7/8" to an inch is much better and gives more room to make a nice round shape for the back of the neck. Good luck and have fun with it, I know I am.

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Permalink Reply by keith peterson on March 23, 2010 at 12:44am

I used maple as it is very dense and machines well

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