- Thread starter SterlingFan
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bovinehost
Administrator
I shall quote my pal Karl Hoyt herewith:
"...when wood is harvested, it is either sliced right straight through the log flat sawn) or cut into quarters and then cut into boards so that the grain runs vertically through the board.
A flat sawn board will have grain lines that look like a smile, a quarter
sawn board will have grain lines that run vertically (or nearly vertically)
The reason for the board to be quarter sawn is to give the board stability
and strength (and in some cases it shows off more interesting features......
curly maple looks best on the quarter while quilted figure tends to be more
brilliant when flatsawn) . A quarter sawn board will not twist and warp as
bad as a flatsawn board. if you look at a flat sawn board after it has air
dried for a while, the board will often develop some cupping or twisting as
the wood dries out etc., So in theory, a quarter sawn neck (or body) will
not warp or twist like a flatsawn neck might and is a tiny bit stronger.
HOWEVER>>>>> if we are talking about well seasoned maple, ash, walnut, or
other relatively stable hardwood, this is not a significant problem. When
I build my 10-15 basses a year, I can take the time to find boards whose
grain is really nice, but there are thousands upon thousands of flatsawn
necks out there built by factories as well as custom bulders which have
withstood the test of time and the rigors of bass and guitar playing without
problems. As long as the wood is properly seasoned when built with, the neck
will in all likelihood be stable, especially since it will be sealed with
finish of some kind."
"...when wood is harvested, it is either sliced right straight through the log flat sawn) or cut into quarters and then cut into boards so that the grain runs vertically through the board.
A flat sawn board will have grain lines that look like a smile, a quarter
sawn board will have grain lines that run vertically (or nearly vertically)
The reason for the board to be quarter sawn is to give the board stability
and strength (and in some cases it shows off more interesting features......
curly maple looks best on the quarter while quilted figure tends to be more
brilliant when flatsawn) . A quarter sawn board will not twist and warp as
bad as a flatsawn board. if you look at a flat sawn board after it has air
dried for a while, the board will often develop some cupping or twisting as
the wood dries out etc., So in theory, a quarter sawn neck (or body) will
not warp or twist like a flatsawn neck might and is a tiny bit stronger.
HOWEVER>>>>> if we are talking about well seasoned maple, ash, walnut, or
other relatively stable hardwood, this is not a significant problem. When
I build my 10-15 basses a year, I can take the time to find boards whose
grain is really nice, but there are thousands upon thousands of flatsawn
necks out there built by factories as well as custom bulders which have
withstood the test of time and the rigors of bass and guitar playing without
problems. As long as the wood is properly seasoned when built with, the neck
will in all likelihood be stable, especially since it will be sealed with
finish of some kind."
The general answer you hear the most is that quartersawn is the "primo" cut. My SR5 is quartersawn and my Lakland 55-02 is flatsawn. They are both very sturdy and comfortable necks. Its kind of similar to the debate over the differences in rosewood and maple fingerboards. Yes there is a difference, but realistically when you factor in strings, body woods, player technique and amps, how much difference is there? Like others have said, if it is straight and sturdy, that's all that matters. If it makes any difference, Sadowsky basses use flat sawn maple necks and I don't think anyone would argue the quality of Sadowsky basses.
bovinehost
Administrator
I personally believe that once you add a trussrod, it's all measurements in the twilight zone.
On acoustic instruments, handmade, for instance? Perhaps.
Otherwise, plug your bass in and make a big noise.
On acoustic instruments, handmade, for instance? Perhaps.
Otherwise, plug your bass in and make a big noise.
bdgotoh
Well-known member
I've seen some good info on this very question, check out this link for the definition of quartersawn wood: http://www.taylorlumberinc.com/techniques.php
This pic below shows how the wood shrinks as it dries (and how it responds to moisture after it's made into a neck, potentially). The piece top center is flatsawn and see how it cups and shrinks unevenly as it dries? The lower left piece is quartersawn and shrinks very evenly in both dimensions. At about 10 o'clock is the rift sawn piece and the shrinkage is in between the other two, not as even as quarter but not as bad as flatsawn.
This pic below shows how the wood shrinks as it dries (and how it responds to moisture after it's made into a neck, potentially). The piece top center is flatsawn and see how it cups and shrinks unevenly as it dries? The lower left piece is quartersawn and shrinks very evenly in both dimensions. At about 10 o'clock is the rift sawn piece and the shrinkage is in between the other two, not as even as quarter but not as bad as flatsawn.
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SterlingFan
Well-known member
Thanks for all your help. 
If the 'dismissive' remarks are aimed at my earlier post, then I should clarify that I gave my opinion only and did not intend to be rude to the original poster.
My opinion is simply that I don't care and that I feel some people get concerned about things that don't matter [to me]. This is a forum right? I haven't called anyone anything, even though (if the comments are aimed at my post) I'm being called an 'asshat'.
Perhaps someone here can explain why I'm an asshat, simply for opining.
And then perhaps someone can explain why it's OK to refer to me as such, especially seeing as we're all trying not to offend anyone......
Welcome aboard SterlingFan and no offence meant.
My opinion is simply that I don't care and that I feel some people get concerned about things that don't matter [to me]. This is a forum right? I haven't called anyone anything, even though (if the comments are aimed at my post) I'm being called an 'asshat'.
Perhaps someone here can explain why I'm an asshat, simply for opining.
And then perhaps someone can explain why it's OK to refer to me as such, especially seeing as we're all trying not to offend anyone......
Welcome aboard SterlingFan and no offence meant.
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bovinehost
Administrator
I have no idea if I deleted your post or not. If I did, it was for good reason.
Now, when a person - in this case, someone new to the board - is looking for information, "I personally don't know and I personally don't care" might seem a good answer, but - in my opinion - it isn't.
It seems dismissive and there's really no point in posting it. It adds nothing to the conversation.
For instance, I don't really think quarter vs flat sawn makes a big difference in necks with a truss rod, but I did try to get the guy an answer to his question while still stating my opinion.
But let's not get wrapped around the axle. I'm just trying to keep things friendly and informative.
This thread is officially closed.
Jack
Now, when a person - in this case, someone new to the board - is looking for information, "I personally don't know and I personally don't care" might seem a good answer, but - in my opinion - it isn't.
It seems dismissive and there's really no point in posting it. It adds nothing to the conversation.
For instance, I don't really think quarter vs flat sawn makes a big difference in necks with a truss rod, but I did try to get the guy an answer to his question while still stating my opinion.
But let's not get wrapped around the axle. I'm just trying to keep things friendly and informative.
This thread is officially closed.
Jack
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