RogerC
Poster Extraordinaire
Did you apply any finish or just sand to a really high grit? I’ve sanded up to 220 so far, and it feels really good, but there are tons of open pores, so I’m thinking about doing a CA finish.
For those that have made wenge necks…
- Thread starter RogerC
- Start date
stormin1155
Tele-Holic
I sanded to 1000 grit. No finish.
Steve Holt
Friend of Leo's
Never built a neck with Wenge, but from the timed I've used it making pens, I'd want those pores filled on a guitar. Personal preference
WingedWords
Friend of Leo's
I've a couple of Warwick basses with wenge necks. As far as I know and can feel, they're oiled from the factory and maintained with regularly applied wax. No grain filler and they feel gorgeous after 25 years.
Ps - if anyone knows how to pronounce wenge I'd like, sorry I mean a friend of mine would like to know.
Ps - if anyone knows how to pronounce wenge I'd like, sorry I mean a friend of mine would like to know.
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I used some Wenge in boatbuilding, never in the world would I have thought anyone would use it for a neck. it has those linear open crevasses and ridges and the edges of both feel sharp to the hand.
Next craze: Suguaro Cactus necks.
Next craze: Suguaro Cactus necks.
Rhymes with avenge.
Nicko_Lps
Tele-Meister
I never made a wenge neck but only a bubinga. Kinda love it as laminates though.
For sure wenge and bubinga are way harder from any coating.
Warwick basses have several models with both bubinga and wenge, if im not mistaken they dont finish them.
Although, the bubinga neck i made was intended for a guy that has very sweaty hands like me. I think a finish is better for sweating hands because sweaty hands might be "sticky" on bare wood.
How about finish your work without any coating, play it and then if you feel you need a coating remove tuners and go for it.
WingedWords
Friend of Leo's
I hear what you say, but in my experience and thousands of other Warwick players', the wenge burnishes to a smooth shine with use and very light applications of wax.
I believe Warwick use it less now for reasons more to do with sustainability and cost than any problem with suitability.
I_build_my_own
Friend of Leo's
Have not made a full neck but fret boards - they get CA filled
Davecam48
Poster Extraordinaire
I made one wenge neck about 10 years ago.
I sanded it to 600 and left it with no finish.
I sanded it to 600 and left it with no finish.
"WEN-gay."
This is a wenge neck, baritone scale, fretless. I sanded it to 1000, wiped it down with clear Danish oil, and then wiped it completely dry. Using a wiping varnish like this seals the pores but leaves the wood feeling like there's no finish at all. It is smooth and plays great.
This is a wenge neck, baritone scale, fretless. I sanded it to 1000, wiped it down with clear Danish oil, and then wiped it completely dry. Using a wiping varnish like this seals the pores but leaves the wood feeling like there's no finish at all. It is smooth and plays great.
telepraise
Friend of Leo's
Myself personally, I would fill the pores, probably with epoxy because they are so huge. It's dense enough that it would probably polish up nicely with oil. I would opt for a catalyzed satin finish that gets really hard, but that's just my preference.
Davecam48
Poster Extraordinaire
Several years ago I made a guitar for an old school mate and band member I have known since Grade one. For the fret board I used a nice piece of wenge with a light rub of TRU-Oil. Don't know if he still has it but with the white plastic dots for fret markers with a ring of aluminium tubing around them it really stood out even in a reasonably dark situation.
DC
DC
edvard
Friend of Leo's
WingedWords
Friend of Leo's
However you say it, with Warwick's minimal finish and 25 years' use, I reckon it looks and feels gorgeous!
Doutorfunga
TDPRI Member
I'd definitely fill those pores and apply a finish. I heard wenge is a bit of a "splinter happy" wood, and with a beautiful neck like that you'll want o play often! CheersDid you apply any finish or just sand to a really high grit? I’ve sanded up to 220 so far, and it feels really good, but there are tons of open pores, so I’m thinking about doing a CA finish.
stratisfied
Friend of Leo's
According to The Wood Database: Usually pronounced WHEN-gii or WHEN-ghay. Not a fan regardless of how you pronounce it.
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RogerC
Poster Extraordinaire
After a week of just messing with the neck and a quick wipe-down with denatured alcohol, I decided to do a quick wipe of CA glue — not so much for protection, but simply because I liked how the wood looked when wet. I didn't expect quite so big a difference on something as dark as wenge, but it was really nice.
I just used a paper towel and water-thin CA to apply the thinnest of coats then buffed with 0000 steel wool. And even though the pores aren't filled, it did seem to diminish them a bit. It really did turn out pretty much perfect, at least for this project.
I just used a paper towel and water-thin CA to apply the thinnest of coats then buffed with 0000 steel wool. And even though the pores aren't filled, it did seem to diminish them a bit. It really did turn out pretty much perfect, at least for this project.
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