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Permalink Reply by Tom T on April 20, 2015 at 9:27am

What are you building?

A poplar neck on a 3-stringer with something like 0.036, 0.022, 0.013 diameter strings would work fine. A four or six stringer with heavier strings might not work so well. I have several 3-stringers with poplar necks (1"x2" stock). Once the stiffness of a hardwood 1/4" fret board is firmly attached to the Poplar neck it has a lot of stiffness. I've not had any problems with flexing or bowing on either build.

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Permalink Reply by Hex on April 20, 2015 at 9:59am

Thats good to hear. My next build is a fretless 3 string LPG. 

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on April 20, 2015 at 9:49am

Poplar is very popular. See what I did there?

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Permalink Reply by Hex on April 20, 2015 at 10:01am

I  did, I don't suppose you can trace your roots back to Stratford upon Avon?

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on April 20, 2015 at 10:51am

yup  poplar   is  fine    for 3  stringers   , in-fact  many  prefer  it     , easy to work with  ,  less splinters  etc  ...  , and  i  have actually  heard  more    warping   horror stories about  oak  . 

the only  draw  back  is   most  of  it    has  a  pissy   / yellow  /  green    tint  to  it    ,  that  can   complicate  stain  choice  .but  like  picking fruit at the market  ,  go  through  it  .   eye  it  up  and  get a  good   straight  enough   piece   with  nice color ,   and  test  its flex  ..    the odd   batch  can  be  a lil  weaker   /  rubbery . but thats  rare  . 

 

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Permalink Reply by SlowHound on April 20, 2015 at 10:58am

I use poplar necks with my four string builds. Usually with a red oak fret board. No issues.

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Permalink Reply by SlowHound on April 20, 2015 at 1:02pm

My first four string is just about three years old now. Most are about two. No problems that I can tell.

Have also done the reverse. Red oak neck with poplar boards. Again, no issues.

Use Slinky 10's if that helps.

Imagine heavier acoustic strings could be a potential problem over time but I wouldn't be afraid to use them.

Easy to burn fret marks/art in poplar too.

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Permalink Reply by Hex on April 21, 2015 at 4:35am

Well I will give it a go, thanks chaps

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