Official Luthiers Forum!

Anyone used beech or butternut for a neck (or any other woodworking)?

Are they stable enough for a neck? What are they like to work with?

I don't know anything about beech, but I have used butternut. I like it a lot. Lightweight, very easy to carve, and a lovely beige color. It's a little on the floppy side, but stability seems good, provided the grain is straight. I gave it a couple of 1/2" x 1/8" carbon fiber reinforcements, but still needs the truss rod pretty tight.

It would be an excellent substitute for Spanish cedar in classical guitars. I just wish it was easier (and cheaper) to find neck-quality pieces.

Butternut is walnut's cousin, but lighter in weight and color, and less strong, as mentioned. I would use it for a neck.
Beech is strong but heavy, and if not dried properly, check and warp prone. it would not be my first choice for a guitar neck.

Thanks guys. This is helpful.
Anyone else care to chime in with their experience?

Although I've not used the two wood mentioned, I concur with others feelings. If you are considering butternut maybe a step further to walnut is an option. I have used walnut and it makes an excellent neck.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

Walnut is good+1 , euro beech can be found on the necks of vln family instruments , it/s a little harder than traditional euro maple . Most american beech , shrinks a lot .I would only use it on an electric bass, or other heavy instrument neck, but it would be 1/4 sawn an at least 5 yrs old . I too like dennis can/t find a good local source for 1/4 sawn butternut in KC, but feel it would make an exc substitute for sp cedar . I have started to use local sassafras as sub for sp cedar on uke necks. smells gud too!

I agree walnut makes for a great neck. I've considered butternut but can't seem to find any locally anymore. American Sycamore seems like it would make a great neck too. . .

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Beech is dense and hard, while butternut is light and soft. Beech is not noted for stability, and it is IMHO too dense for an acoustic guitar neck. It has been used on many European instruments.......some of them with multi-ply laminated necks. Butternut is very soft, and may not stand up well to use. It also is not very stiff, so reinforcement is essential.
That said, I have used butternut for a neck.

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John