Raw Woods vs Carbon Fiber

[rgand]

I've never touched a carbon fiber neck. I absolutely love my roasted maple neck and probably will never go away from a wood that doesn't need a finish like ebony, rosewood, wenge, bocote, roasted maple and a handful of others.

Just out of curiosity, how does a carbon fiber neck feel? I have a carbon fiber pool cue and it's a whole different animal than a wooden one. How does carbon fiber feel on a guitar neck? Moses comes to mind in that regard.

 

[ChristopherG]

I can't speak to a neck back but back in the day I had a Washburn with a graphite fretboard. It was almost too slick. Liked it though. Gave it to my brother who I think still has it.

 

[line6man]

Aren't carbon fiber necks usually clear coated with a hard finish?

 

[rgand]

Thanks for the replies. I suppose one day I'll see one in a guitar store and try it so I know.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

My bass player has a Status Mark King signature bass (Level 42 30th Anniversary) with the graphite neck.
http://www.status-graphite.com/status/frames/index_home.html

The think will not move, it's rock solid, very bright sounding, stays in tune excellently.

It's smooth all right, like ultra burnished ebony.

Takes some getting used to, but very consistent, doesn't respond at all to climate fluctuations.

 

[Glimmer]

I suppose one day I'll see one in a guitar store and try it so I know.

Have you ever seen a Rain Song guitar? Used to see them every now and then in local shops. Tried a couple over the years but was never particularly crazy about the feel. Granted, they're acoustics, but if the goal is to play such a neck, you might be able to find one in a shop near you.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I suppose one day I'll see one in a guitar store and try it so I know.

Have you ever seen a Rain Song guitar? Used to see them every now and then in local shops. Tried a couple over the years but was never particularly crazy about the feel. Granted, they're acoustics, but if the goal is to play such a neck, you might be able to find one in a shop near you.

It's been about 10 years I've played one.  They may feel different, but if you play outdoor gigs with your flat-top box, it may be beneficial as it very consistent and unresponsive to humidity as far as I can tell.

 

[Glimmer]

It's been about 10 years I've played one.  They may feel different, but if you play outdoor gigs with your flat-top box, it may be beneficial as it very consistent and unresponsive to humidity as far as I can tell.

Yep, believe that's their selling-point.

Did one outdoor "micro-gig" (= just a few songs) a couple of years ago. Humidity wasn't a problem, heat was. Temp was in the mid-90s. Played my Gibson J-100 and was afraid it might melt!

 

[rgand]

I haven't seen a Rain Song guitar. I'll keep an eye out.

It makes sense that the carbon fiber would be stable. It won't absorb moisture or be as sensitive to temperature changes.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[bagman67]

I've played RainSong acoustic guitars, and found them to be very loud, and pretty boomy.  Top end sucked.  My experience is anecdotal, of course.  Other specimens might sound better.


Sylvan Music in Santa Cruz carries guitars from a competing operation, Composite Acoustics, and I have found their axes to be loud, also, but much more balanced - the bass is crisp and the top end rings out a little more clearly than the RainSong stuff.  The CA travel size guitar, model name "Cargo," is a really tremendous sounding guitar, rivals a quality Taylor in my ears:


http://www.compositeacoustics.com/index.cfm/guitars/the-cargo/the-cargo-without-electronics/satin-back-raw-carbon-fiber-top


There's one with installed electronics, but I have not tried them, and have no opinion.




But in response to the OP's inquiry, I have no experience with carbon fiber bolt-on necks for electrics.

 

[Glimmer]

Ah yes, I remember the Cargo. I guess I'm just not the right player for such guitars as they look and feel too different / unusual / odd to me.

 

[rgand]

Next time I'm near Sylvan I'll take a look. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[musicispeace]

Carbon fiber as a Warmoth option of the future?

 

[treyhaislip]

I think Carbon Fiber is a cool option, lightweight and all. I played one of RainSong's acoustics and was pleasantly suprised by the tone!...but I still prefer wood especially Roasted Maple.

http://www.rainsong.com/guitars.html

 

[MikeW]

My bass player has a Status Mark King signature bass (Level 42 30th Anniversary) with the graphite neck.
http://www.status-graphite.com/status/frames/index_home.html

The think will not move, it's rock solid, very bright sounding, stays in tune excellently.

It's smooth all right, like ultra burnished ebony.

Takes some getting used to, but very consistent, doesn't respond at all to climate fluctuations.

When I was at NAMM this year, Moses was displaying Strat replacement necks made from carbon fiber. They had one on display with a 'Tree of LIfe' type inlay down the fretboard. It was really gorgeous, smooth as glass and very light. I think the whole neck with tuners and all was ~3lbs.

I talked with the rep for about 20 minutes about everything from fretwire (they can install SS frets as a custom option), to nut options (standard GraphTech nuts but can do others. LSR didn't seem to be an option), to setup (very straight necks and very hard so adding relief is not really an option), to installation (THREADED INSERTS!!).

Hers's a link to their standard Strat neck.

As TFS says, the rep acknowledges that they are very hard and bright; very close to an Ebony sound.

 

[rgand]

I called them and the guy I talked to said they can do a lot of customizing. For example, you can get a Strat neck with a Tele headstock and a Gibson scale.

 

[Great Ape]

Uuumm...a ''strat neck'' with a tele headstock an' a gibson scale length ain't a strat neck any more! Jus' sayin'....

 

[rgand]

Yeah, well.... OK, a Strat heel, then.

 

[treyhaislip]

I would think Carbon Fiber necks would be the most customizable, cool options even if some don't deem it a Strat neck anymore