Hard maple

The timber of Acer saccharum, sugar maple, denser and stiffer than the softer maples and the standard material for guitar necks.

Its stiffness is the point: a neck blank that resists string tension without creeping is what keeps relief stable and tuning predictable, and a hard maple neck also contributes a bright, immediate attack with a strong upper midrange. It is difficult to work with hand tools and moves slightly with humidity, though far less than softer species. It is also used as a thin cap over warmer bodies to add cut and definition.

Example: a bolt-on guitar with a hard maple neck and a maple board has the snappy, articulate sound that the design is known for.

typical use: One-piece and laminated necks, and fretboards on many electrics.

Hard maple

See also