If you did go with the Tas Oak, I’d take a neck sized blank, saw it into three strips width ways, and reverse the Center one then laminate the three together. It will make the neck more stable. (I know it’s only a test neck, but it’s good practice, especially if the test pieces are slab sawn)
Tas oak has a tendency to splinter and chip out so your router bits will need to be sharp as all get out. Take multiple shallow passes.
i look forward to the updates!