Carbon fiber

A composite of carbon filaments set in resin, extremely strong and stiff for its weight, and unaffected by humidity.

Its appeal in instruments is stability rather than appearance: without grain or soft spots it does not move with the seasons, so a composite neck needs no relief adjustment and cannot warp, and its stiffness allows shapes and string gauges that wood will not tolerate. It damps differently from timber, which gives it a recognisably even, glassy voice. It is expensive, hard to repair and usually appears on travel, touring and specialised professional instruments.

Example: a carbon fiber neck left in a cold van overnight still plays in tune and at the same action the next morning.

typical use: Neck reinforcement rods, complete necks and bodies, and soundboards on composite instruments.

Carbon fiber

See also