Modified red beech wood
Development of the technical solution and process for the use of mo-dified red beech wood in mechanically highly stressed and sound-relevant components in bass guitar construction
Necks of electric bass guitars are predominantly made from tropical wood species such as wenge, mahogany, ovangkol, amaranth and bubinga. This is due in particular to the high rigidity and dimensional stability as well as the significant sound-relevant properties and excellent color nuances. In addition, Canadian sugar maple (hard rock maple) is used as a special imported wood for the production of bass necks, which has the highest bulk density, hardness and stiffness compared to other maple species. However, to reduce the extreme growth stresses, these woods must be stored for a very long period of time (natural ageing). Compared to domestic wood species, these imported woods are many times more expensive. In addition, the availability of correspondingly high-quality assortments for the manufacture of musical instruments has decreased significantly in recent times. Furthermore, despite the FSC seal, there is no clear guarantee that the certified wood does not come from illegal or otherwise unacceptable sources, as there is currently no independent review or verification of the specified standards.
Based on these restrictions, the aim of the research project is to make the advantages of thermally modified woods with regard to their excellent dimensional stability due to their low water vapor sorption usable in a targeted manner for components in musical instrument making. The focus is on improving the sound quality as a result of the thermal modification of indigenous wood species. As a result of the treatment, the growth stresses are also largely reduced in a very short time (artificial ageing). As an alternative to the existing imported woods, native red beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is to be thermally modified in a targeted manner for use as neck material in electric bass guitars, although this approach is generally new.
To solve the problem, the planned wood species is to be thermally treated in a targeted manner at relatively "mild" treatment temperatures, thus enabling a reproducible application in musical instrument making. Red beech wood, which in its native state is a poor "tonewood" with low dimensional stability, is to be prepared for use in musical instrument making to such an extent that analogous sound-relevant and sorptive properties are achieved in comparison to tropical wood species. To this end, a new treatment technology is being developed and adapted to the respective requirements.
Project leader: Prof. Dr.-Ing. A. Wagenführ
Project team: Dr.-Ing. M. Zauer, Dipl.-Ing. R. Sproßmann, Dipl.-Ing. A. Martienßen
Funding: BMWi/AiF/ZIM (05/12-04/14)