there are a lot of variables but straight grain maple is considered to be stronger than flame or birdseye in necks and that's wot i'd go for cos i'd rather play it than gawk @ ittheres too many variables to consider. you could have 2 flame maple necks that sound different, so how can they be compared to a 'plain' maple neck, when so many 'plain' maple necks dont sound the same. ive read though that flame and birdseye woods are more suseptible warping and breakage
ive heard 1/4 sawn is the strongest, disagree?