why walnut on the selmer necks?

Jazzaferri

From what I gather from two great luthiers, the general principle for acoustic instruments is: the lighter the neck the better (within the structural requirements) as less sound energy is absorbed. So a high quality mahogany neck should give a more responsive instrument all other things being equal. Walnut is reputed to absorb sound more than any of mahog, spanish cedar, rosewoods maple. Again wood quality is very important.