Center Blocks

[MartyGrass]

I apologize if this has already been addressed 10 times.  HOC is now old enough that it has a lot to search through, even when using the search feature.

So here's the first point.  The Roy Clark model is supposed to have a floating center block.  Mine doesn't.  It has a full one.  I'm happy with it.  I was a bit surprised though.

Two questions:

1.  What does Heritage use for center blocks and is that variable?

2.  Does Gibson use the same wood for their 335-355?

Thanks, fellow nerds.

 

 

[ElNumero]

I have no idea about the answer to your two questions, but I always love the questions you ask and the insights you provide. And that’s a beautiful Guitar by the way. 

Edited November 17 by ElNumero

[DetroitBlues]

That's a good question.  I always assumed the Roy Clark was a single cut version of a 555., particularly when I see a full stop-bar tailpiece.  Having never seen one other than the prototype, let alone play one, its hard to say what its made out of.  For some reason, I'm thinking its a block of maple.

[MartyGrass]

The center block may be cedar.  At least the Asian Epiphones use that wood.

[MartyGrass]

The Roy Clark early on had a floating center block.  But you know Heritage back then.  Flexible.

[skydog52]

Hard to answer.

I've ordered solid blocks on floating block guitars and floating blocks on solid block guitars in the past.

The good old days.

Glad I was involved in the Golden Years with Custom Shop Service.

[TalismanRich]

Here's an old video of them building a semihollow.   It appears that the main block is maple.  You would want a strong wood, since you need to put your neck joint in there, just like a solid body.  Its definitely not mahogany,  it's way too light colored. You can see the color difference of the mahogany kerfing below.

From what I have read,  an ES335 will have a maple block and the filler piece is spruce which is kerfed to bend more easily.

 

 

If you listen closely,  I think that he says they use a basswood insert for the filler section that goes between the top and the block.  It's about 3:30 into the video.    He also explains about doing floating blocks (top is fixed,  back is not).  

 

 

Edited November 18 by TalismanRich

[bolero]

According to Pete: 99% of centerblocks are maple, but there are mahogany & even some spruce centerblocks out there

[bolero]

On 11/18/2025 at 5:31 PM, TalismanRich said:

If you listen closely,  I think that he says they use a basswood insert for the filler section that goes between the top and the block.  It's about 3:30 into the video.    He also explains about doing floating blocks (top is fixed,  back is not).  

 

I'm pretty sure he says "patch wood" there, explaining the filler section, not "bass wood"

He says it again a bit later too

Edited 2 hours ago by bolero
formatting