Which exotic neck wood would be best for what I’m looking for?

[NefariousShredd]

I’m currently planning a build, and I know for sure that I want a raw, unfinished neck. I also want the fretboard to match. Neck profile is going to be wizard, if that matters.

Most important factor is feel. I want something that I’ll probably burnish, and that’s as smooth and silky as it can get. The more of a fast satin kind of feel, the better. Doesn’t have to be rock hard and close grained, unless that’s the best way to get that feel.

Next is looks. The body is going to be the black holo flake finish. Since the fretboard and neck will be the same, I just want something that has at least a little contrast. The lighter the better, but I’d go as dark as pau ferro if it’s recommended. Wenge is definitely too dark.

Finally, tone. I’ll be using active pickups and high gain maybe 70% of the time, so the wood is going to have much less of an impact, but it still matters. I’d prefer something on the brighter, snappier side for articulate rhythms and stuff.

Kinda torn between canary, pau ferro, goncalo alves, and padouk. Roasted maple is an option too, I guess, but I’d prefer an exotic.

Thank you for any input!

 

[ragamuffin]

Kinda torn between canary, pau ferro, goncalo alves, and padouk. Roasted maple is an option too, I guess, but I’d prefer an exotic.

Canary and paduak are fantastic and have a pretty similar feel in my experience, dry and fast, slightly more open grained than roasted maple. I also think that color-wise either one of these would look fantastic with the holo flake. Both are considered to have a relatively bright tone.

I haven't played a solid pau ferro neck but I hear they are great with a very tight grain and glassy smoothness. Also considered to have bright tone.

I would rule out out goncalo alves; it's great wood but has a very "waxy" feel that I don't think matches up with what you're looking for. Goncalo is considered to have a warmer tone, but my guitar with a goncalo neck is very bright.

Personally I find that trying to predict or dictate the "tone" of a guitar build based on the wood species is a losing battle but ymmv

I'd vote for canary or padauk!