Wenge guitar body; Finish it?

zerosturm

zerosturm

New member
Just like the title says. I have a one piece wenge 7/8 tele body from Warmoth and the color is much lighter than I had expected. The neck is ebony on Wenge and looks much darker. I wanted them to be closer in color but Ive heard that Wenge does not take finish well; as I have never worked with this wood before I wanted some opinions before I moved forward. Any help as always would be greatly appreciated.
 
Re: Wenge guitar body; Finish it?

I'd love to see a pic. I have a wenge/ebony neck on my Warmoth, and I can't really imagine that wood with a finish. Just to fill it would take a lot, and it would sort of defeat the unique feel of that wood.
 
Re: Wenge guitar body; Finish it?

I did a wenge top v, left it open pore with a satin nitro...it took the finish just fine
 
Re: Wenge guitar body; Finish it?

Got any pics? How big of a difference are the neck and body?

Wenge is a cool wood–definitely worth showing the wood grain.
 
Re: Wenge guitar body; Finish it?

Ill try and get some pics up at some point this weekend. There really is quite a big difference in the color of the body and neck. Ive been reading and it looks like the color differences are not uncommon for Wenge. If all goes well I should be able to get at it the beginning of next week for assembly. I could however post some not so great pics I have on my phone from when I unboxed it:dunno:
 
Re: Wenge guitar body; Finish it?

Just oil them both. I wouldn't sweat the difference in color tone between head stock and body. And with the finger board being ebony it will break up the continuity anyway.
 
Re: Wenge guitar body; Finish it?

Oil as the guy above said might be easiest way... if you will try to fill the pores on Wenge, be prepare to spend your whole life on it... Porous as hell!
 
Re: Wenge guitar body; Finish it?

Ok so this might sound dumb but you both said to oil it.....what kind of oil and how to do it for best results. I have really never dealt with any other finishing except for spraying on some rattle can nitro from reranch a few times.
 
Re: Wenge guitar body; Finish it?

I dunno there. I really like the color of both. I'd leave them as is, with no finish. They are from 2 different trees, so they are bound to look different anyway. Wenge has sort of this 70s furniture look to it, even if it is a little more exotic than that. I'd just embrace it.
 
Re: Wenge guitar body; Finish it?

zerosturm said:
Ok so this might sound dumb but you both said to oil it.....what kind of oil and how to do it for best results. I have really never dealt with any other finishing except for spraying on some rattle can nitro from reranch a few times.
Click to expand...


In the linked thread they used tung oil. Teak oil, or boiled linseed oil, will also do. All should be available at the local hardware store. You just wipe it on, wait ten minutes, wipe it off, and repeat a few times. No need to fill pores and level the surface then, if you decide to do it.

If I remember correctly wenge doesn't need a finish. The ebony will need a shot of lemon oil or a fret board conditioner every time you change strings or at least every six weeks, though.
 
Re: Wenge guitar body; Finish it?

My suggestion, oil the body only and see how the difference between the two looks then.

I would recommend Tung Oil. Be careful with Linseed Oil...too much and it gets clumpy/gooey as it dries. With all oils for a finish, a little goes a long way and its better to wait for another coat than to slap more oil on it.

(From Warmoth) Wenge (Millettia laurentii):
Wenge features black and chocolate brown stripes. It is usually quartersawn to yield straight grain - similar to open grained Zebrawood, but black. This body is in the heavy weight category so considering it as a hollow or chambered build is beneficial if you're weight conscious. Its weight does offer plenty of sustain though. Oil finishes are most popular on Wenge but you can also leave them unfinished as well. The tone is balanced with great mid presence and attack. This is a popular wood for boutique bass builders and its tonal reputation is impressive.


zerosturm said:
And yah dont be hating....those are BKPs going in this one. :wall:
Click to expand...

No hating here, almost all of my electrics have Bill Lawrences in them. Please keep us posted on the project!
 
Re: Wenge guitar body; Finish it?

For a dramatic look fill that grain with something light colored, and sand flush. Then lightly finish it with your choice of stuff.
 
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