Maple/Rosewood board question

[GGK]

Pretty simple question, but I had a debate with an old pal of mine regarding fretboards. I understand that a rosewood board would be glued onto the maple neck. However he tells me that it would be the same process for a maple neck and board, I would of thought a maple neck/board are one piece? Go gentle please?

 

[x-ray]

I think you're both right, it varies w/ companies. The maple EB's I've seen are one piece (I checked out a very nice Sterling HS yesterday at GC which was one piece), but other companies (i.e. F****r & G****n) glue the maple board to the neck. I have no idea why. I definitely prefer one piece, though...

 

[Mikey]

I think there are two different ways with maple boards depending on how the trussrod is inserted:

1.) You cut a slot in the back of the neck, insert the trussrod and fill it with a stripe of rosewood or something like that. I think fender for example does it this way.

2.) You cut the fretboard off the maple neck, cut the slot in the frontside of the neck afterwards, insert the trussrod and glue the cut off maple fretboard back to the neck. And that is how they do it at beloved EBMM.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[fidooda]

i didn't notice a cut mark on my SR5 maple neck. I think it's a one piece.

 

[strummer]

i didn't notice a cut mark on my SR5 maple neck. I think it's a one piece.

And the truss rod is inserted magically? ;-)
Just kidding of course.

As far as I know, at least 4 methods are used:
Inserting from the back side, resulting in a "skunk" stripe insert.
Inserting from the front, the fret board is glued on. If the fret board is cut from the neck wood, then the joint can be almost invisible.
Inserting from the side, the neck is cut in lalf along its length, the truss rod channel then routed and the neck glued together again. Here too the joint can be almost invisible.
Straight dual action rod or one way rod with U channel or similar, put into neck from either heel or headstock side, then the neck could be a real one piece.

I think the MusicMan truss rods are curved, which would mean that they use method 2, and on old (pre eb only I believe) method 1 for mapel boards. Method 3 is (or was at least) used by G&L, and method four by, among others, Warw*ck.

 

[fidooda]

well if it's method #2 then it is almost invisible....SLO magic!

 

[Jimmyb]

On Maple necks, it is method #2.

When I got my first Axis Sport, it took me ages to find the join, it was done that well.

 

[Caca de Kick]

Yes it's #2.
The grain pretty much still matches when you do this method

 

[58super]

My maple board was done in two pieces but the grain was very carefully matched.
EBMM quality

 

[fidooda]

still can't see the cut line, i've been looking at the neck for a few minutes tonight. Now i feel like i've been trying to figure out those 3d hidden images again, ii can't see those either.

 

[bovinehost]

Where's Waldo?

 

[Rano Bass]

My maple board was done in two pieces but the grain was very carefully matched.
EBMM quality

BP himself said it's two pieces.

Very well matched IMO

 

[GGK]

Thanks for all the help and info. As per the over all sentiments, it is truly a beautiful piece of work. I'm still telling my pal it's one piece and dare him to find any evidence to suggect otherwise.:

 

[fidooda]

Where's Waldo?

i think he's looking at the bass

 

[Old_Guy]

i think he's looking at the bass

Bass or trout?

 

[fidooda]

with the rain here today, i would say trout.


fish on!

 

[Baird]

still can't see the cut line, i've been looking at the neck for a few minutes tonight.

+1.

Amazing. I would have bet $100 that the maple neck on my 2007 LE SR4 is a one piece (and that the truss rod was "magically" inserted"!).