Panga Panga wood grain

[Iacobus]

The neck on my Ibanez SR1340B feels less smooth than my other guitars.
There seem to be a lot of unfilled wood grain grooves.

Is this just part of the charm of the wood, should I use grain filler on it, or should I do something else? Someone must have noticed it because there were iron filings on the pickup poles, presumably from steel wool.

I don't really want to return it because who knows how long it will be till I can get another one!

 

[Bloomfield]

That looks very similar to wenge (maybe an alternative name) which is often used for necks, generally without the grain being filled. It's fine as it is but you could fill the grain if you wanted; it might take a few coats of filler due to the pores being quite deep.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Here's a similar project:

Wenge Bubinga Wood Filler

I think it's just the nature of the beast. Wenge and panga panga have similar characteristics apparently...my 2012 has wenge & purpleheart. The roughness is more-than-likely due to grain lift and can be safely and effectively "knocked-down"...try it on a limited area and judge whether you like the outcome:

*Wet-sand (with the grain) with #1500-2000 sandpaper and mineral oil.

*Remove the residue / spoil with a clean rag and naptha as you proceed. Change your paper frequently.

If the back of the neck feels like a washboard as you run your thumb perpendicular to the grain, this should help and can be repeated as necessary...and it will be necessary!

Riis

 

[Iacobus]

Thanks
Can I ask why you use the oil rather than dry sanding, or using water?
Do you need to refinish the neck after sanding?
Does the comment in the linked thread mean that the grains would reappear even if I filled them?

 

[Zooberwerx]

Thanks
Can I ask why you use the oil rather than dry sanding, or using water?
Do you need to refinish the neck after sanding?
Does the comment in the linked thread mean that the grains would reappear even if I filled them?

The mineral oil was suggested by somebody much wiser @walterw . I imagine the lubricative property has something to do with it. We're trying to knock-down the grain slightly not remove the finish and expose bare wood. There are variations on the theme including ScotchBrite pads, etc.

I would rub it out with some BriWax or possibly a couple coats of TruOil first. Don't use pure tung oil.

I see no benefit in filling each and every pore or grain fissure. It won't add any structural strength and don't have a clue as to whether it adds an addt'l water vapor barrier.

Seriously, I would do the least first as suggested in my previous post. I use #2000 as I have it on-hand to de-haze polycarb headlight lenses...very gentle and won't overcut if applied as described.

Riis

 

[walterw]

The neck on my Ibanez SR1340B feels less smooth than my other guitars.
There seem to be a lot of unfilled wood grain grooves.

Is this just part of the charm of the wood, should I use grain filler on it, or should I do something else?

i vote "part of the charm", wenge is just like that. i don't see those grooves getting filled without a whole bunch of finish work, i'd leave it alone

 

[Iacobus]

Thanks for the advice. If it is normal, I will try enjoying the texture of the wood to start with

 

[ole Jason]

That's just how wenge is, the open pore feel is a big part of why people like it. IIRC Warwick recommended using their beeswax on wenge necks and that's what I've always used on mine. If you've ever seen a wenge neck with white waxy stuff in the pores that's what it is.

 

[Iacobus]

Thanks. I am finding that I don't really notice it after playing it for a week or so.