Roasted, Baked, Torrefied and Caramelised maple are all words you may have heard associated with guitar necks. These words all describe maple wood that has undergone the same thermal treatment process. In simple terms, the process involves heating the wood to remove any moisture, oils and sugar, creating a more stable structure. As a result, the wood is much less vulnerable to temperature and humidity changes, as well as other improvements.A raw, maple neck is placed in a controlled environment where the temperature is slowly brought up. Once the temperature reaches a certain point, a Maillard reaction begins to occur. This is a chemical reaction that starts to break down the sugar and water within the wood, slowly removing it. The residue left from the reaction colors the wood with a light tan hue. How high the temperature is raised affects the final color. Taking it to higher temperatures makes a much richer-colored tint; similar to robust toffee. After the process is finished, you are left with a more stable maple neck. Because of the roasting process, the neck can be slightly lighter in weight (depending on the piece of wood) and is more resistant to absorbing moisture. This makes roasted maple necks a great option if you travel frequently.