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| Author: | WilbPorter [ Thu Nov 05, 2015 3:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Wenge Guitar Build |
I am about to start building a Dred with wenge. Am wondering if someone with wenge experience can provide me with some basic thickness dimensions for back and sides. Any other info, as it relates to bending, finishing etc would be greatly appreciated. Having just resawn an 8/4 plank, I already know that it is splintery and is prone to cracking. 
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| Author: | Chris Pile [ Thu Nov 05, 2015 4:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
Quote: Having just resawn an 8/4 plank, I already know that it is splintery and is prone to cracking Then you can guess that it doesn't bend easily.... |
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| Author: | Colin North [ Thu Nov 05, 2015 5:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
Sounds like a job for ------ "SHAZAM!!" ![[:Y:]](./images/smilies/smiley20.gif "Thumbs Up") SuperSoftII
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| Author: | Michaeldc [ Thu Nov 05, 2015 5:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
I've found that it bends very easily. Even tight cutaways have been no problem. I'm using a blanket and tend to bend a bit on the warm side. I finish up with my bending at about 340°F, then lower the temp down to 280° for 20 minutes. Let it return to room temperature, then give it another 20 minutes at 280°, and let it cool. I thickness my wenge sides to about .085". This has worked for me. M |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Thu Nov 05, 2015 5:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
I've only done one, but had no trouble bending it. Bend at 80-85, back at 90-95. Same as rosewood, more or less... |
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| Author: | James Ringelspaugh [ Fri Nov 06, 2015 1:10 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
Wenge is a fantastic wood for acoustic guitars. I too had no trouble bending it... just don't twist it and all will be well. You know it is very crack prone so you'll probably want to put some kind of cross-bracing on the sides. Pore filling may take more applications/time than other woods, other than that it takes finishes just fine. One of the best sounding guitars I ever built has wenge back and sides... the sides were laminated with padauk each at around .05-.06" which made a very stiff rim. The back was around .10". |
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| Author: | WilbPorter [ Fri Nov 06, 2015 6:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
Thanks for all the information, folks. I appreciate your time and contribution. |
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| Author: | Chris Pile [ Fri Nov 06, 2015 8:42 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
Quote: I've found that it bends very easily. Hasn't been my experience, but then.... I haven't worked with it in 20 years or so. |
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| Author: | UKSteve [ Fri Nov 06, 2015 9:16 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
I recently completed a wenge OM and the new owner is very happy. As you say it is very prone to cracking and splintering, but it bent for me without issue at around 1.8mm using a home built fox type bender. I used egg white to pore fill but it took a few sessions to get it level. Worth the effort IMO Good luck with your build. |
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| Author: | Michaeldc [ Fri Nov 06, 2015 9:37 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
For clarity... It has a tendency to split/crack with the grain not against it. It does make an excellent sounding instrument. M |
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| Author: | JasonM [ Tue Nov 10, 2015 11:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
after a dread and a parlor, found it did not bend well, flexed it to allow it to crack in the weak spots, repaired the cracks, epoxy pore filled 4x, still had little pits, drop filled those with nitro, had shink back of the drop fills over time, and tonally it was no better than EIR or coco. not worth all the hastle for me unless a customer specifically wanted it. then id have to upcharge for all the extra effort required. maybe the slab i had was worse than other wenge, but im kind of put off by it. |
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| Author: | DannyV [ Wed Nov 11, 2015 12:37 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
James Ringelspaugh wrote: Wenge is a fantastic wood for acoustic guitars. I too had no trouble bending it... just don't twist it and all will be well. You know it is very crack prone so you'll probably want to put some kind of cross-bracing on the sides. Pore filling may take more applications/time than other woods, other than that it takes finishes just fine. One of the best sounding guitars I ever built has wenge back and sides... the sides were laminated with padauk each at around .05-.06" which made a very stiff rim. The back was around .10". I'm in this camp. If you have any faith in tap tone it rings like a gong. Only bent one side set with no problem but bent lots of bindings and appointments with no problem. Might depend upon runout if you find it problematic. IMHO makes a great guitar but owwww the pores. I can't think of a more porous wood. |
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| Author: | Alex Kleon [ Wed Nov 18, 2015 6:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
I bent a set of .085" wenge bindings a couple of days ago with no problem. I spritzed some water, wiped it with paper towel, and wrapped it in brown paper. Started the bend at 250F, finished at 315F, and let it bake at 315F for about 10 minutes. Alex |
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| Author: | alan stassforth [ Wed Nov 18, 2015 9:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
Keep some tweezers nearby, for da splinters. |
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| Author: | Alex Kleon [ Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
alan stassforth wrote: Keep some tweezers nearby, for da splinters. I had one in my thumb yesterday that was almost 3/8" long! Feels like it's still in there.  Alex |
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| Author: | WilbPorter [ Thu Nov 19, 2015 7:38 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
Thanks again for all the input, folks. |
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| Author: | kwerry [ Thu Nov 19, 2015 12:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
I've only built one Wenge Guitar, it bent easily, finished beautifully (after a marathon pore fill) and sounded great.. I'm going to do another for sure! Also I did not have many issues with splinters but maybe I was just lucky.. I like the wood.. Oh and yes it does crack along the grain lines but it is usually clean and easy to repair. Kerry |
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| Author: | SteveCourtright [ Fri Nov 20, 2015 11:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
It does make nice boxes, too. Made this from offcuts... Traditional pumice pore fill technique and then french polished. |
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| Author: | Alan Carruth [ Sun Nov 22, 2015 4:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
Here in Guitar Hell (New England) everybody I know that's used it has been unhappy: they've all cracked. |
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| Author: | SteveCourtright [ Mon Nov 23, 2015 10:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
Alan Carruth wrote: Here in Guitar Hell (New England) everybody I know that's used it has been unhappy: they've all cracked. Alan, are you referring to the tendency for you to experience wide swings in RH in your neck of the woods? |
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| Author: | Alan Carruth [ Mon Nov 23, 2015 3:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Wenge Guitar Build |
SteveCourtwright asked: "Alan, are you referring to the tendency for you to experience wide swings in RH in your neck of the woods?" Wide indeed, along with frequent and rapid. Something like 2/3 to 3/4 of all the storm systems that hit anywhere within the continental Us eventually come through New England, so the weather is always changing. It is, as Mark Twain remarked, one of the glories of the place, but it comes with costs. There are very few days, usually in the spring and fall, when I can dispense with the humidifier or dehumidifier, and just open the shop windows. |
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