Official Luthiers Forum!

Starting a new build and doing a 5 piece for the first time. I have a lot of wood id like to use that is
to thin to bookmatch. Few questions

1. Has anyone made 5 piece without bookmatching?
2. How important is bookmatching on 5 piece? (rock maple, walnut)
3. Even if I used 5 different woods would the lamination keep it straight?
4. Basically how important is it to bookmatch?

Thanks for any responses!

Zip practical experience, but I'll throw in two cents. If a board is cupped or bowed, book matching tends to cancel that. However, I a board is twisted, flipping the halves does not cancel the twist. So, I think that the more import thing is to used wood that matches in appearance, if that matters to you, and wood that is reasonably flat to start with.

I don't really pay attention to that, after all the wood grain isn't something that people pay attention to on necks. However I just make sure at least they're all in the same direction so that it doesn't look weird or anything.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

If the wood has low moisture content less than 7% there likely will be no problems with warping. I certainly would not use any broad that is not straight to begin, jointing out some minor cup is fine. You don't want to mess with something that has a bow or twist.

You have to think ahead and visualize how the grain lines at the seams are going to converge, otherwise you may end up with an odd looking heel, head-stock or even the arm.

Its a good idea to have your glue up arrangement include a chunk of heavy angle iron or channel that helps to keep the assembly straight while the glue dries -- no matter, the water in the glue can cause things to get a little squirrelly.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

If you buy wood from a lumberyard make sure you let it stand for at least a year before using it. Their idea of dry may not be your idea of dry!

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

This is one of our (KMG) five piece necks (Maple/Rosewood) made from a 50" 1x6 -- cut in half, the cut ends at the heel. Now this board had great curl the entire length on one edge so we took care to make sure that curl ended up on the arm each side complementing the other.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Thanks everyone! Very helpful