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The latest issue of Fine Woodworking (Sept/Oct 2008, no. 200) has an article called "5 Overlooked Woods". One of the woods discussed is Alder, Alnus rubra. Alder is, of course, commonly used for electric guitar bodies, but I'm not aware of it having been used much for necks. The FW article describes it as being relatively light weight (specific gravity: .37) and very stable (tangential/radial shrinkage ratio: 1.65), and says it machines well, takes finishes exceptionally well, and is a pleasure to work by hand. They also describe it as being close to mahogany in hardness (while mahogany is heavier, with a specific gravity of about .45). Those of you who make electrics probably already know all this about its properties. I've never worked with it myself. Reading this description, I thought it sounded like a potentially excellent neck wood.

A quick search online tells me it's considered only "moderately strong"... "The bending strength of the species is considered medium". Not strong or stiff enough for steel string necks - ?? How much strength and stiffness do we really need when the neck is loaded with carbon fiber and a truss rod, and laminated with a very strong and stiff wood like ebony (I'm referring to the fretboard)??

Anybody here ever use alder for necks, especially for steel string guitars? Or know of it being done? The only thing I've turned up with a bit of googling is Carvin guitars. They use alder for electric necks.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

I don't know about alder as a neck wood, but it's my favorite electric body wood. By the way, it's my understanding that Carvin guitars are mostly neck-thru designs consisting of a maple neck and body center with alder wings.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Carvin's Holdsworth model has an Alder neck, I believe reinforced with CF. Don't see why it wouldn't work in a reinforced setting.

Also is pore-free, so easy to finish.

Yep! While their standard models are maple neck-thru, the Holdsworth model does indeed imploy an alder neck. I fogot about that bugger!

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

I used it for one crossover neck without CF. It seemed a little soft but has held up all right. It was easy to work. I would recommend CA around the inserts if you use a bolt on neck. There are several types of alder so there might be quite a range of characteristics. I would definitely use CF on a steel string neck.

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

Alder is indeed a dream to work with. I've never used it for a neck, but a student of mine did a while back with maple and walnut laminations in the middle. Turned out very nicely, though I couldn't tell you how well it's held up since then.

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Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

This is probably a stupid question, but what's a crossover neck?

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Todd, the crossover was just a nylon string guitar with a narrower neck and a less than classical shape.

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

Got it, Ken. Any particular reason you chose alder for the neck on that guitar?

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Todd, I'm always looking for alternative neck woods. I saw the alder at a lumber yard and it seemed stiff and light so I thought I would give it a try.

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

Thanks, Ken. I think I'll get some and give it a try as well.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

I`ve built a ton of cabinets with Alderwood over the years.The only thing I would be worried about is that it isn`t nearly as hard as a lot of other hardwoods and may be prone to denting easily.
James W B

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

Thanks for your input, James. That is something to consider. I might not use it on a guitar I expected to take some rough handling, such as a guitar for a pro musician who'd be taking it out on the road, or a guitar I intended to exhibit at several shows, or that sort of thing. On the other hand, for a guitar that was going to a customer I knew would pretty much keep it at home and treat it as a precious, delicate thing - and I think that description fits a lot of buyers of high end handmade guitars - I don't think I'd worry about that. Or another scenario would be a classical guitar, since classical players tend to be the genteel/gentle sort, and are used to guitars with spanish cedar necks, which are also relatively soft. Guitars going to homes like these might also be french polished, meaning the whole instrument is relatively delicate and must be treated accordingly if the owner doesn't want it to accumulate scars. Then again, a musician who gigs and tours and sees their guitar as a workhorse and doesn't care if its appearance tells the story of where it's been could also be a good customer for an alder neck. The light weight of alder could be a big advantage for many guitars.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

You`ll probably be fine Todd.It is real nice wood to work with and has a nice light kinda brownish amber look that I personally think is real purdy.
James

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee