Roasted Maple Necks!

[RobertB]

Tobacco burst/Tort would be my choice.

With something like this - the introduction of a totally new thing within the lineup - doesn't it make more sense to do something special, that's not already available? IMHO, it does. And in this case, there's already been a "test case" for Black Ice/Sparkle. It's known that people dig it. I think this package absolutely rocks.

 

[Manfloozy]

My daughter loves the finish... hence the Bongo for sale... which by the way she would not have let me even think about parting with before. That's enough for me.

 

[Bass Control]

Just placed my order. Reflex 5 HH. Can't wait to get this monster of an instrument.

 

[LightGroove]

I read thru about 6 pages and didn't really find the answer--maybe someone posted it later---How is the finish done ? By reading the discription one might think that the necks are placed in a kiln or the wood was kiln dried some way before the necks were made. It seems logical that some wood can be dried in a kiln a certain way to achieve such a discoloration----but then again maybe there is no logic and a dark stain is used? Oh well..................

Im gonna venture to say that this is proprietary info. and you prob. wont get much from the knucklehead gallery.

From my simple online observation it would appear that the look is a stain of some sort. The "roasted" aspect and description lead me to believe there is some form of heat or pressure process involved. Obviously wood and heat are typically foes so what do I know.

Without trying to sound like a smart a$$...does it really matter?

 

[Addison]

...

From my simple online observation it would appear that the look is a stain of some sort. The "roasted" aspect and description lead me to believe there is some form of heat or pressure process involved. Obviously wood and heat are typically foes so what do I know.

I'm guessing too, but this is some information I acquired through the Sadowsky website... they are also using this process.

I hope this is OK to post... if not, please delete:

ABOUT OUR ROASTED MAPLE

Sadowsky Guitars has always taken pride in the quality and stability of our neck wood. We are now pleased to offer "roasted maple" necks for an unprecedented level of stability. Lumber for maple necks and fingerboards is placed in a special oven after normal kiln drying. The wood is roasted at temperatures ranging from 180º to 220º Celsius. The result of this treatment is wood that is significantly more resistant to absorbing or releasing moisture. With this increased stability, the "roasted maple" process enables us to offer figured maple neck blanks for the first time in our three decades of instrument making. We have always advocated that figured neck stock was too unstable to use. However, any piece of wood than has a stability problem will warp during the roasting process and be discarded. It would also be a recommended option for players who reside in areas of extreme humidity (low or high), or who travel a lot through variable climates, as well as players who desire a figured maple neck for aesthetic reasons.

NOTE: The roasting process is performed on lumber. It cannot be applied retroactively to finished necks. Any revisions to existing instruments already on order will delay build time by approximately five months.

Source: Sadowsky | Roasted Maple

Based on that information and assuming that EBMM's process is the same... raw maple lumber exposed to 220º Celsius (428ºF) for an extended period will more than likely natually darken the wood

So... I might be wrong... but I don't think it's a stain.

 

[LightGroove]

Hey Addison.. I recognize you from the Roscoe forums... the only reason I mention stain is the amount of figuring that is evident...

 

[Big Poppa]

no stain and none of the manufacturers roast the wood it is aailable from specialized mills

 

[bovinehost]

no stain and none of the manufacturers roast the wood it is aailable from specialized mills

THANK YOU, boss.

Amazing the amount of idle speculation and downright BS that circulates around the internet. Like "There's wax in Pledge".

 

[Jim C]

THANK YOU, boss.

Amazing the amount of idle speculation and downright BS that circulates around the internet. Like "There's wax in Pledge".

But a reasonable expectation when a purported technical advancment has been announced with a limited amount of information or technical documentation.
This marketing philosophy has been used for decades and can be very succesful, as it was here.

Have to admit that I am intrigued by the possibility of a better neck although not so sure that it is necessary when the existing technique works great.

Think that limited runs are brilliant though; wonder how many get purchased for this reason alone? If I didn't have 2 kids to get through college right now, I'd be a buyer based on novelty, looks, and collectability.

 

[Big Poppa]

Jim C you amaze me sometimes...."Limited amount of information?? Im here 7 days a week giving information and its never enough! What part of the roasted maple neck which has been discussed earlier in the year was marketing?

Enjoy the kids in college! It goes flippin fast!

 

[Jim C]

Sterling,
The claims that you have made may very well be true:
* Dimensional stability
* Resistance to warping
* Increased resonance
* Clearer tone
IMO, it's marketing until it can be proven (I come from an Italian family of engineers).

Other manufacturers have made lesser claims indicating that the process is for better drying and for use with less stable, highly figured maple.
from Rodger Sadowsky:
"The result of this treatment is wood that is significantly more resistant to absorbing or releasing moisture. With this increased stability, the "roasted maple" process enables us to offer figured maple neck blanks for the first time in our three decades of instrument making. We have always advocated that figured neck stock was too unstable to use."

Again, not saying your claims are not accurate, just currently un-substantiated.
Understood that you may have technical information regarding the process, testing, and lab results that are company proprietary.

Thanks for the advice about the kids; it's really true; seemed like they were born just the other day.

 

[LightGroove]

Man...dont think I can swing the coin for this run but here's to hoping that this concept really sticks. Being in a high humidity area I often wondered about going graphite...the plasticy feel/tone always scared me off...now what appears to be a wood alternative...man oh man...

 

[TGL]

Ahhh--haaaa!!!!!

I feel much more informed now that I have read all the posts. They give me more things to think about and some stuff I really don't need to think about but the thoughts pop in my head anyway. a.k.a. I see this really cool neck and read the promo and I want to know why it looks that way and why it is good. I want to know how it is done. I don't know why--that's just me. I realize some people just go by looks and could probubly care less as to how , why, when etc. Maybe I should have been an engineer. I work with some.
How can you tell if an engineer is introverted? When he's walking he's looking at his shoes.

 

[mynan]

IMO, it's marketing until it can be proven (I come from an Italian family of engineers).

Is that supposed to be a nice way of calling them liars?

EBMM has always had a well-earned reputation for honesty and integrity. I'm not sure why you would call them liars because they didn't put sound clips and 20 pages worth of scientific data on their advertisement.

Look at the damn neck. It's gorgeous! Do you really think they needed to make up a bunch of BS so they would sell?

 

[Addison]

Hey Addison.. I recognize you from the Roscoe forums... the only reason I mention stain is the amount of figuring that is evident...

Hey man!!!

Yeah, I've seen a couple other names here I recognize from elseworlds...

But, yeah, I wondered about the deep rich grain patterns too, but it appears as these necks have a laquer finish on them... and I'm sure that helps really make it stand out.

See ya' around!

 

[MadMatt]

FYI...

The process is also known as "Torrefaction". Its essentially a mild form of making charcoal (For those who dont know how charcoal is made... you heat wood in the absence of oxygen until not much is left over other than carbon)

Torrefaction uses just enough head to make the wood lighter and prettier

Here is a the wiki page, but it is unfortunately focused on the industrial bruning of torrefied wood to replace coal.
Torrefaction - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Here is a link to a company that makes torrefaction kilns. They have some pretty cool info.

MEC Torrefaction

-M@

 

[Big Poppa]

JIm your definition of marketing is baffling, stupid or so advanced only dogs can hear it. So if someone makes a claim that they didnt sufficiently prove to YOU...it's marketing? Maybe you should quote Roger Sadowsky again?

 

[naruki]

Is the maple neck only available in August btw?

 

[Colin]

your definition of marketing is baffling, stupid or so advanced only dogs can hear it.

In my 5 years 7 months and 14 days here, this is definitely my favorite quote by far.

 

[Jim C]

JIm your definition of marketing is baffling, stupid or so advanced only dogs can hear it. So if someone makes a claim that they didnt sufficiently prove to YOU...it's marketing? Maybe you should quote Roger Sadowsky again?

Sterling,
I find your reply mean spirited, disrespectful, and without cause.

I have never said that your technical claims are false but you offer no reasons (to anyone) to substantiate these claims in the advertisement or this thread.
I offered you the out in the previous post in that perhaps you consider the process, testing, and lab results as company proprietary.

I want them to be true for both the players and your compnay, but don't believe every advertisement I read.
Sorry for the Sadowsky requote; I had missed that it was already posted.

I have a business degree from Univeristy of Maryland (1981) and have been using MM equipment since 1984.

Many would suggest that good marketing is being kind to your customers even when they disagree.