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Would it be okay to use Koa as the neck wood for a Tenor Uke? If I do a laminated neck, it could make it stable enough I'm guessing. What are your thoughts?
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

I have never tried it but if you put in two carbon rods you could probably make it out of paper mache!

I think it sure would look pretty with the right piece of Koa...

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Thanks Dave! I ordered some Koa off ebay, and the guy threw in a free top, back, and side set for a uke, and also a big 1" thick x 22" long x 2 1/2" wide piece of Koa. I was thinking I could use that thick long piece for the neck and have a solid koa uke. The piece of koa is nothing spectacular, but it would be all koa except for the laminated strip down the neck. I was thinking a flamed maple 1/2" strip down the middle of the neck would look cool, and add some stability. Anyone else care to comment? John M.?
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

David Hurd (Kawika Ukuleles) routinely uses koa for necks.

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D..

Tracy, I've used Koa, and some highly figured Koa at that, several times for guitar necks. They all are working fine and behaving themselves. (They all were laminated.) There's so much less tension on a tenor uke neck that you will have no problems at all. I think the curly maple down the center would look nice, especially if you match them with some curly maple bindings on the body.

SteveSteve Kinnaird38903.5482523148

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Tracy,

It is very common to place a single CF bar in ukulele necks for stability. Some put a CF bar it in all sizes of ukuleles but most often in concert and tenors. The link above to David Hurd is an excellent resource as is this link to Dave Means of Glyph Ukuleles.Glyph Custom Ukuleles Both gentleman are elite builders and are vary approachable with questions. I’m sure that they could provide the CF dimensions for the neck in question.

Philip

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aka konacat

If you think my playing is bad you should hear me sing!
Practice breeds confidence and confidence breeds competence. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in practice.

I believe the koa would likely be much more stable than curly maple, actually. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to use koa for a steel string guitar neck, even unlaminated, but I do always put two carbon fiber rods (and a 2 way truss rod) in my necks. On a uke, you might not need the CF at all. One thing I would do for sure, though, is check the moisture content of the wood. If it's not good and dry, I'd give it plenty of time to season and then acclimate to your shop before using it. This would also give you a chance to observe the piece and see if it stays straight and flat. If it moves significantly as it seasons, that tells you something about how stable that piece of wood is.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

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

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

Todd,
Any relation to Tom Rose of Jersey City...About 55yrs old?

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Very good information everyone, exactly what I needed. I'll go ahead and use the Koa. Not sure about the CF, but I may consider it. Thanks again!
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

[QUOTE=Dave-SKG] Todd,
Any relation to Tom Rose of Jersey City...About 55yrs old?[/QUOTE]

Nope. Actually, I'm not related to anyone. I'm my own species. Homo anomalus.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

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

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

Todd, that does explain a lot.

Sort of the opposite to the guy who's related to everyone: Homo analogous?

SteveSteve Kinnaird38904.0062268519

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

I had a Carvin electric years ago that was all koa. Pre carbon fiber rod days and it was agreat guitar. I never had a problem with neck stability. I traded it for a piece of junk Gibson SG who's neck fell off on me. He got the better deal.

Tracy,

Kamaka has used solid Koa for uke necks for years (possibly for generations). I talked to Chris Kamaka about this once and he said ukes don't require any neck reinforcement, the tension isn't that strong. As mentioned above though some do reinforce with CF. For a happy medium you can always lamiate your neck.   Roy O38905.0987152778

I like to add to my other post that carvin used to add steel reinforcement rods on both sides of the truss rod. They now use carbon fiber.Michael Shaw38904.7118634259

I like to add to my other post that carvin used to add steel reinforcement rods on both sides of the truss rod. They now use carbon fiber.

Thanks Roy and Michael! Very good info.
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com