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Is meranti any good for headblocks?
http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=42632		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Nick Royle [ Tue Feb 04, 2014 2:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Is meranti any good for headblocks?
I can get a load of offcuts so I wondered if I can find any decent use for them?
I'm guessing it isn't ideal but thought I'd ask.

Thanks in advance,
Nick
Author:  Clay S. [ Tue Feb 04, 2014 4:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is meranti any good for headblocks?
I've used it for necks, so I wouldn't have any problem using it for headblocks if I didn't prefer multi-ply plywood. Red Meranti has a coarse texture which is not ideal for necks compared to mahogany or walnut, but is workable for a low cost alternative .
Author:  Nick Royle [ Tue Feb 04, 2014 4:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is meranti any good for headblocks?
I'll get some then and use it in my neck joint prototype to see how I like it. Thanks Clay!
Author:  Trevor Gore [ Tue Feb 04, 2014 5:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is meranti any good for headblocks?
It gets used in a lot of Chinese made guitars for both necks and blocks. I've seen necks fail but not the blocks. The Shed Guitar has a light red meranti back, and dark red meranti sides, neck, bridge, linings etc.. It's showing no signs of giving out! Sound sample here.
Author:  Nick Royle [ Tue Feb 04, 2014 8:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is meranti any good for headblocks?
Thanks Trevor! I love it when a sample is also a really enjoyable performance! Sounds incredible! And I hadn't seen that thread at all. It was fascinating and inspirational! I'm definitely adding a "shed guitar" of sorts to the list! [I think I already know what I'm building up to #10 or so! :lol: (Just finishing #3 now!)]

I can't remember if he said it was light red or dark red now. I'll definitely get the offcuts anyway, great to hear it likely won't fail, I just wonder whether or not I should use it with "premium" woods. I'm about to build one from some amazing ziricote, so I wonder I'd be shortchanging the client (my brother :)) by using it for that(?).
Author:  Trevor Gore [ Wed Feb 05, 2014 4:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Is meranti any good for headblocks?
Nick Royle wrote:
I'm about to build one from some amazing ziricote, so I wonder I'd be shortchanging the client (my brother :)) by using it for that(?).

:lol:

Sounds like an heirloom guitar! I'd be using the nicest stuff I could lay my hands on (even for the unseen bits, and even if it was for one of my brothers!)
Author:  Clay S. [ Wed Feb 05, 2014 8:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Is meranti any good for headblocks?
As you can see from Trevor's pictures, the wood when properly finished doesn't make a bad looking neck. To me, red meranti seems to be about as heavy as sapele, not ideal for a classical, but O.K. for a steel string.

When it comes to using the "nicest stuff", that can depend as much on the individual board as on the species, and the milling properties rather than the finished product (mahogany is "nicer" to work with than meranti).
Author:  Tai Fu [ Wed Feb 05, 2014 8:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Is meranti any good for headblocks?
I hate meranti, it is used as construction wood and is about as strong as balsa (but without the strength to weight ratio). It is also nearly as splintery as Wenge.
Author:  Nick Royle [ Wed Feb 05, 2014 10:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Is meranti any good for headblocks?
Thanks Trevor, you're absolutely right! Nothing but the best for that one!
And thanks for the input, Clay and Tai.
Maybe I'll just get a small bag of offcuts for the odd job here and there.
Author:  ernie [ Thu Feb 06, 2014 5:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is meranti any good for headblocks?
I have made one ss gtr neck from it . I think it was salvaged from motorcyle crates in vancouver bc 1979.
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