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Wenge as a Fretboard?

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Stuart Gort

Post subject: Wenge as a Fretboard?

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 4:00 pm

Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:34 pm
Posts: 2047
First name: Stuart
Last Name: Gort
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

I can deal with the splinters via sanding and sealing, and the hardness seems adequate.

Any specific reason NOT to use Wenge as a fretboard?

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I read Emerson on the can. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds...true...but a consistent reading of Emerson has its uses nevertheless.

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Chris Ensor

Post subject: Re: Wenge as a Fretboard?

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 4:35 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2009 3:51 pm
Posts: 1204
First name: Chris
Last Name: Ensor
City: Springfield
State: Missouri
Focus: Build
Status: Professional

I've done it. Worked fine.

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dzsmith

Post subject: Re: Wenge as a Fretboard?

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 5:12 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Fri May 18, 2012 8:35 pm
Posts: 2660
First name: D
Last Name: S
State: TX
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Stuart,
If the grain was filled, I think it would be an awesome fretboard wood.
Hard as all heck, and quite lovely.
I am fortunate to have access to free Mesquite. Hard, fine grain, pretty, and the scraps go on the barbeque grill.
Dan

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James Ringelspaugh

Post subject: Re: Wenge as a Fretboard?

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:20 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:47 pm
Posts: 1213
Location: Raleigh, NC
First name: Ringo

I love wenge as a fb material, but the feel of the big open pores might put some folks off.

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John Sonksen

Post subject: Re: Wenge as a Fretboard?

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 4:38 pm

Cocobolo

Joined: Wed May 30, 2012 11:00 pm
Posts: 498
First name: John
Last Name: Sonksen
City: PORTLAND
State: Oregon
Zip/Postal Code: 97216-2013
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Warmoth has made tons of fretboards with the stuff

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jac68984

Post subject: Re: Wenge as a Fretboard?

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 4:53 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 11:43 am
Posts: 668
First name: Aaron
Last Name: Craig
City: Kansas City
State: Missouri
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

James Ringelspaugh wrote:

I love wenge as a fb material, but the feel of the big open pores might put some folks off.

What? This is a key selling point. Surely you're aware that those large pores cut down on surface friction, thereby allowing your fingers to move faster and more freely up and down the fretboard.

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dzsmith

Post subject: Re: Wenge as a Fretboard?

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 6:04 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Fri May 18, 2012 8:35 pm
Posts: 2660
First name: D
Last Name: S
State: TX
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

I soaked some in household bleach years ago. Ended up with nice gray and brown streaks intermixed with black. I did note that when sanding it, let it cool off from time to time or glue will melt.
Polishes up like Ebony.
I should get some.

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Stuart Gort

Post subject: Re: Wenge as a Fretboard?

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 10:19 am

Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:34 pm
Posts: 2047
First name: Stuart
Last Name: Gort
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

Thanks guys.

I have some nice quartersawn stuff I'm prepping today.

It's pretty stuff!

_________________
I read Emerson on the can. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds...true...but a consistent reading of Emerson has its uses nevertheless.

StuMusic

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DannyV

Post subject: Re: Wenge as a Fretboard?

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 10:32 am

Contributing Member

Joined: Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:20 am
Posts: 2593
Location: Powell River BC Canada
First name: Danny
Last Name: Vincent

It is simply beautiful wood. I have only bound a FB with it. I had a few very large pores show up right on the face corners. If I were to use it again for that application I would have a much better look for pores ........ before finishing.

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david farmer

Post subject: Re: Wenge as a Fretboard?

Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 8:28 am

Koa

Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:13 pm
Posts: 835
Location: Durango CO
First name: Dave
Last Name: Farmer
City: Durango
State: CO

Has anyone ever re-fretted one? seams like it could be a splinter nightmare.

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Herr Dalbergia

Post subject: Re: Wenge as a Fretboard?

Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 4:01 pm

Koa

Joined: Sun Jun 20, 2010 2:52 pm
Posts: 519
Focus: Build
Status: Professional

Sine Warwick has produced thousands basses and guitars with wenge fretboards I would not hesitate to us this "poor mans barazilian" at any time.

Cheers, Alex

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