Sapele for necks?

[printer2]

Our local hardwood outlet has some sapele in and it did not look too bad. Some quartered 4/4 pieces that I am thinking of picking up for necks. They have a few pieces of mahogany but it is far from straight grained. Anybody out there have much experience with carving necks sapele?

[Otterhound]

Martin uses it .

[JDatlen]

I have used Sapele for a couple of necks. The ribbon grain can tear out a bit if using a plane or spokeshave , I use my dragon rasps from Stewmac with good results. It can be a bit heavier than khaya or genuine mahogany.

[printer2]

Any suggestions on the grain direction? I was thinking quartered wood with a scarf joint but recall somewhere (John perhaps?) that an off centered cut can make for a stronger neck joint. But maybe that was on a one piece neck. May pick a piece up today to try. Incentive to finish a Lutz/Walnut box I have.

[redir]

How 'bout using walnut for the neck?

I have lots of sapele in stock but have not used it for necks. I would have no qualms about using it for necks thought. It's just that I have plenty of mahogany too

Flat sawn or off quarter mahogany will be fine for necks too. As long as there is no wild runout or anything like that it will be fine. Mahogany is very stable in all directions.

[capohk]

I have now built 4 necks from sapele. Once finished it looks a lot like mahogany. I can only get 3x1 lengths locally so for the last three I laminated 4 lengths together, re-sawn to 1". l used a scarf joint at the headstock and stacked the heel. I would second the use of the dragon rasp instead of a spokeshave to avoid tear out. The stewmac rasps are really good, versatile tools imo.

[KingCavalier]

I used Sapele on my last build, I find it to be a bit heavy

[printer2]

Bought some sapele, maple and cherry. Thank you all for your input.