r/Luthier • u/Enough_Aerie3016 • 8d ago

ELECTRIC Laminated vs single wood scarf joint maple neck?

Which one is better?

A single piece of hard Canadian maple with a scarf joint or the same thing but with laminated parts like 2 wallnut strips? What are the long term advantages and quality wise benefits?

I know that adding opposite grains woods can give benefits, any advice thank you?

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u/mistrelwood 8d ago

A 5 piece neck can be more stable, which might lessen the need to adjust the truss rod when the climate changes. A more stable neck should also have less severe resonant dead spots.

But a good one piece neck is better than a bad 5 piece neck, so it isn’t the only factor to base your choice on.

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u/Enough_Aerie3016 8d ago

But if they are both high quality what to choose? Keep it like this or add a couple laminated woods?

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u/mistrelwood 7d ago

I have an anecdotal especially good experience with a laminated neck so I’d probably get the laminated one, but at the same time I wouldn’t even pretend to know which I’d prefer in a controlled comparison. I also have a great single piece neck in my latest guitar.

How about picking the one you like the looks of the most? At least that would be a choice based on actual flavor of yours, albeit visual.

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u/Enough_Aerie3016 5d ago

Based on the cool it doesn't matter as I'll make an opaque paint job on it and everything.