Getting a smooth surface/finish on a neck.

[scootron]

I have a neck I am using for a project, and have hit a crossroads. I don't have any information on the origin of the neck. It appears to be mahogany. I 99.9% certain it is not Fender, but the headstock is the exact Fender shape. The headstock, however, slants back, at an angle similar to a Gibson. I'm guessing 17 degrees. It appears to me to be at least 40 years old, maybe older.

The fingerboard is in good shape. The back of the neck, however is rough, primarily from raised grain. It is a significant deterrent to playability. It also seems very dry.

I was about to start sanding the neck down, using finer and finer sandpaper, in hopes of getting a smooth surface. Then I would have to figure out how to finish it.

However, I began to wonder, since it is so dry, if I should do something to the wood before commencing sanding. Should I oil it, with something like mineral oil or tung oil? Or should I sand first and worry about treating the wood later?

Any ideas?

[Zooberwerx]

Try knocking down the grain with #000 (or finer) steel wool, Scotchbrite pad, and BriWax or equivalent. Works well on oil / wax finishes. I've also used this technique to minimize blems on nitro and poly finished maple necks.

Riis

[Charles Shores]

Scraper, double cut file, steel wool, spokeshave, sandpaper, would all work.