Why a Strong Guitar Neck Matters

We have made countless changes and improvements to our guitars over the years and have earned a reputation of a brand that builds reliable tools trusted by guitarists of all skill levels. Some of the tweaks to our guitars have been more apparent than others, but a great many are not things you can see.

One of those recent "unseen improvements" is the introduction of strength rods in our guitar necks. On either side of the truss rod, two channels are carved down the length of the neck and pieces of hormigo are inserted. This exotic hardwood is exceptionally strong and has a long history of being used in musical instrument making. Paul Reed Smith has said that "neck making is fundamental to guitar making," not only because it is the first thing a player feels when they pick up an instrument, but also because it is such a crucial part of what gives a guitar its sound.

The introduction of these strength rods places less reliance on the truss rod to counteract the tension from the strings--over 100 lbs or 45kg! This not only makes our necks as strong as possible, but by reinforcing the neck we are stabilizing one of the most crucial parts of the instrument, allowing the guitar’s sound to ring for an even longer period of time. 

So, basically, strong neck = strong voice.

The necks we have been making for the past 40 years are stable and reliable and will last a player a lifetime. This new manufacturing method is aimed at finding new ways to positively impact the tone and build quality of our instruments. 

You may have heard about our frequent “engineering improvement” meetings. This is an example of what is born from those conversations.  It is also an example of how we strive daily to live up to our motto of continually refining our craft.