Aluminum Necks

[alkalineHemlock]

Sorry if this is in the wrong section!

I recently got access to a CNC machine. Not a huge one, but big enough to build necks on. And I got to thinking: why couldn't I build my own out of billet aluminum?

So my question to all (three) of you with aluminum necks is: how in the hell did they handle frets?

Are they pressed into the metal of the fretboard, or are they part of the fretboard itself? And is there anything that you wish was different/could be improved?

And to everyone else: how much interest would there be in aluminum necks for a standard "strat style" neck pocket for less than $500? I can't put a price on it quite yet due to me being unsure of how much materials would be, but I can't imagine them being more than maybe $300-$400, preferably less. If you'd be interested, you should totally vote up there.

EDIT: Oh, also, aluminum pickguards/plates/trem plates? Any interest there? And if so, what?

EDIT EDIT: What about colored plates? Any specific colors?

[601210]

I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to guitar necks but is there any way to make a trem plate in brushed aluminum that doesn't cost as much as a mastery, or are those basically sold at cost? Tbh I'd even take nickel or something, I'm just so sick of chrome trem plates.

[alkalineHemlock]

I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to guitar necks but is there any way to make a trem plate in brushed aluminum that doesn't cost as much as a mastery, or are those basically sold at cost? Tbh I'd even take nickel or something, I'm just so sick of chrome trem plates.

That is definitely the plan. I just can’t make the guts like they can.

[kdanie]

I've never had the opportunity to try an aluminum neck but would like to. I've made my own pickguards & control plates, those are no big deal really. Alternate material trem plates is a cool idea. Aluminum may present problems with flexing & wear but that could probably be overcome with the right alloy and hard anodizing. I'm about to order some cold rolled steel sheet to use for a pickguard, bridge & trem plate that will be polished and finished with gun blueing just to see how it turns out.

ken

[alkalineHemlock]

I've never had the opportunity to try an aluminum neck but would like to. I've made my own pickguards & control plates, those are no big deal really. Alternate material trem plates is a cool idea. Aluminum may present problems with flexing & wear but that could probably be overcome with the right alloy and hard anodizing. I'm about to order some cold rolled steel sheet to use for a pickguard, bridge & trem plate that will be polished and finished with gun blueing just to see how it turns out.

ken

The flexing was definitely my concern, but hopefully I can work that out. It seems like most people who want an aluminum pickguard/plates have sources already, but I may throw a few together just to see what happens.

I’d also love to see that blueing experiment! Sounds like it would look killer!

[Embenny]

I don't know the techniques of the ones using metal fretboards, but the secret to many aluminum necks over the years has been that they make the fretboard out of "not aluminum". In the case of the famed vintage Kramer necks that set the mould, they used a synthetic called ebonol. It's very similar to the modern phenolic boards used by many manufacturers. Martin jumps to mind as one that has used phenolic boards for years.

They hold up well, look more traditional (indistinguishable from ebony from 3 feet away), feel great under the fingers, and can be easily fretted using traditional methods.

[alkalineHemlock]

I don't know the techniques of the ones using metal fretboards, but the secret to many aluminum necks over the years has been that they make the fretboard out of "not aluminum". In the case of the famed vintage Kramer necks that set the mould, they used a synthetic called ebonol. It's very similar to the modern phenolic boards used by many manufacturers. Martin jumps to mind as one that has used phenolic boards for years.

They hold up well, look more traditional (indistinguishable from ebony from 3 feet away), feel great under the fingers, and can be easily fretted using traditional methods.

This is really great info, exactly what I was looking for, thank you! This seems like the best way to go, but I’ll probably try a few methods out before deciding.

[Embenny]

I don't know the techniques of the ones using metal fretboards, but the secret to many aluminum necks over the years has been that they make the fretboard out of "not aluminum". In the case of the famed vintage Kramer necks that set the mould, they used a synthetic called ebonol. It's very similar to the modern phenolic boards used by many manufacturers. Martin jumps to mind as one that has used phenolic boards for years.

They hold up well, look more traditional (indistinguishable from ebony from 3 feet away), feel great under the fingers, and can be easily fretted using traditional methods.

This is really great info, exactly what I was looking for, thank you! This seems like the best way to go, but I’ll probably try a few methods out before deciding.

Here's a diagram from the original Kramer catalogue, if it helps. EGC definitely does things differently, so there are lots of possibilities for you to explore.

[mackerelmint]

Yes plates. All the plates. Brushed plates. Yes.

[alkalineHemlock]

Yes plates. All the plates. Brushed plates. Yes.

Glad to see there's such enthusiasm behind the plates at least!

Here's a diagram from the original Kramer catalogue, if it helps. EGC definitely does things differently, so there are lots of possibilities for you to explore.

Thanks again! I've actually already got the first prototype modeled and in the works, so it's good to know there's other possibilities if it doesn't work out.

[601210]

On the subject of frets, they're essentially a consumable resources and you'll need some way of replacing them down the line or the whole neck is essentially disposable as soon as they wear beyond use.

[alkalineHemlock]

On the subject of frets, they're essentially a consumable resources and you'll need some way of replacing them down the line or the whole neck is essentially disposable as soon as they wear beyond use.

Of course. That's why I was asking, as I didn't want these to be disposable parts (how dumb would that be?). So far, the idea is to use a traditional wooden fingerboard attached to a metal "chassis" if you will. In the future I want to experiment with replaceable/swapable fretboards, both as a means of refretting and changing radius/fret size.

[alkalineHemlock]

Not the best of renders, but here are some prototypes I drew up in Autodesk:









As you can see, the fretboard is removable in case of eventual wear, and the neck will be chambered to help cut down weight. It will be “channel bound” to help protect the fretboard (also it looks pretty slick, I think). The headstock design is temporary, but the slotted design aspect will probably stay to help keep weight down.

Thoughts? Improvements? Criticisms?

Plates are coming in the near future, but what will people be most interested in? Let me know!

[X-Ray Spex]

As someone who only owns aluminium-necked instruments the demand is massive, especially if you can get the cost down to what you've quoted as you could seriously undercut literally every current neck manufacturer in the business. The aluminium fanbase is rabid, there a few groups on Facebook etc where you should post if this is something you're seriously considering. Try joining the ''Aluminium Axes'' Facebook group and let me know how you get on, I don't think you'll be disappointed! Also that headstock is ok but a bit too close to the original Kramer forked headstocks for comfort, I think you'd have a lot of problems with mistaken identity and lack of brand recognition.

[Flurko]

As an avid lurker in the Alluminium axes FB group, I can't agree more with whats being said ^^^^^^^ .
You should check out Nude Guitars, they're an Italy-based alu guitars company, and they use a similar wooden fretboard inlayed in an aluminum neck.