^Question about Ibanez 5 Piece necks...

[GuitarBizarre]

I'ts something of a puzzle to me. Not only why but how these two necks are constructed differently:

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/9...imtunergt0.jpg
http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/7...ntfneckfk8.jpg

Now, according to Ibanez, if i recall correctly, both those necks are considered '5 piece', and in a strictly technical sense I suppose its true.

But what gets me is this. Firstly, why make those two black fills so incredibly thin? surely that defeats the point of a 5 piece neck since the bulk of the tension is now in the other pieces.

Secondly, is that even wood in the thin fillets there? I can't personally think of a convenient way of cutting wood the thin bar a single super long plane stroke. A lot of hassle to go to surely?

Anyone care to shed light on the differences between the uber thin fillets and the normal fillets, and the reasons for each?

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[MFB]

I'm not sure of the first one, and it does seem very pointless. Maybe if it was a little thicker and made of a real strong wood like the MTM neck has, then it would even out but that really doesnt seem to have a point

As for the second one, I doubt it's that big of a hassle for them to cut the wood, and while it's not as thin as the first, it's still a decent size

[GuitarBizarre]

Originally Posted by MFB

I'm not sure of the first one, and it does seem very pointless. Maybe if it was a little thicker and made of a real strong wood like the MTM neck has, then it would even out but that really doesnt seem to have a point

As for the second one, I doubt it's that big of a hassle for them to cut the wood, and while it's not as thin as the first, it's still a decent size

Sorry, the questions were both aimed at the first, thin filleted neck. I understand why everything is why it is on the neck with the thick fillets. Its just I can't see any mechanical or production advantages from the thin ones, and I doubt its an aesthetic issue since its the back of the guitar. I was hoping someone would be able to shed some light on why ibanez seem to be moving away from the 'standard' fillets to these super thin ones...

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[GuitarBizarre]

45 views and no-one can guess?

[ShellyOFG]

It's quite obvious, the 2nd has 5 pieces of wood clearly, because of the two walnut stripes in it, wheras the other is using just 5 different peices of maple >?

[GuitarBizarre]

Originally Posted by ShellyOFG

It's quite obvious, the 2nd has 5 pieces of wood clearly, because of the two walnut stripes in it, wheras the other is using just 5 different peices of maple >?

Nope. 3 pieces of maple, and those two thin lines are considered the 4th and 5th pieces.

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[Rich]

The thin strips are walnut, and I call them 3 piece necks. The fillets are decorative at best.

The wenge or bubinga strips are functional and the second would be a true 5 piece.

[Jaden]

Originally Posted by Rich

The thin strips are walnut, and I call them 3 piece necks. The fillets are decorative at best.

The wenge or bubinga strips are functional and the second would be a true 5 piece.

thats right,
the first one has two walnut strips.
its basically a cosmetic addition that makes a 3 piece maple neck construction look better and in no way adds to the stability of the neck itself.

[Dino]

The thin strips just look cooler than having just a three piece neck. Maybe they provide some stability to the glue joints.

[rvai]

the first pic is a prestige neck and the second one is a korean one right?

[Dino]

Yeah maybe the Koreans don't have the technology to slice it so thin...

[rvai]

haha no, what I meant is that maybe there is no real need for the extra pieces, I mean the 2 extra pieces in a prestige neck won´t do much if the neck is warping or something like that

[vultures]

Originally Posted by Jaden

thats right,
the first one has two walnut strips.
its basically a cosmetic addition that makes a 3 piece maple neck construction look better and in no way adds to the stability of the neck itself.

Another agreement here, it's all aesthetics.. Would you rather have a plain neck, or something a little interesting?