Mahogany is a good wood for necks and I’ve also seen khaya sold as a neck wood. The wood database says keruing is less dimensionally stable than mahogany. It doesn’t say how much less stable, but if there’s one thing you want in a neck, it’s stability.

 

Would having a piece of Maple shipped in from Japan be out of the question?

 

Cocobolo (Retusa) is harvested in that area and is used for guitars. Can you get that?

https://www.wood-database.com/cocobolo/

 

Welcome to the forum! I just finished my first acoustic guitar and used African Mahogany for the neck. It seems to be doing ok. I know a handful of guys who have built electric guitars and they all bought their (Maple) necks ready to use and just concentrated on the body and finishing. Is that an option for you, assuming you're ok with not building the neck?

David

 

@hawkeye10 Nope, if the shipping doesn't kill the price, I'd buy it.

@difalkner Yes, I'm actually using my other guitar's neck. But I'd like to build a new one so that both guitars are functional.

Also, the fretboard's going to be berlian (Iron Wood). Don't know if the laminated combo of berlian and keruing, plus truss rod will make it dimensionally stable. Having a neck with over 2000 janka hardness would make it too heavy.

Here's a picture of the guitar body I built.

 

I have to agree, if you're not finding a local alternative and have the means to import something in, opt for the import. I would say though when bringing in Maple sight unseen, make sure it's NOT "clear" Maple or otherwise it will pretty much be all white without any brown ascents.

 

I'm actually itchy to try keruing/apitong as an electric guitar neck. Maple would be my choice if I could get my hands on them. What other woods have luthiers used as an electric guitar neck?

 

Wenge, Koa, Rosewood, Mahogany, Walnut - all have been used. It just depends on the look and sound you want. Maple is probably the brightest sounding, Wenge is close; Koa, Mahogany and Rosewood are warmer.

David