Wenge is a wood which is increasingly gaining more followers in Lutherie. It started being very used in necks and fingerboards, but nowadays it’s also used in other parts of the instrument since luthiers have discovered its great acoustic qualities.
Wenge is a rigid, stable and strong wood which provides warm low tones and medium tones very focused. As all hard, dense and heavy woods, Wenge gives to your instrument a fantastic resonance and a brighter sound. Furthermore, Wenge reduces the highest hints in a very similar way to Tulipwood.
Discover the beauty and the quality of Wenge sides for Classic Guitar in Maderas Barber.
BOTANIC NAME: Milettia laurentii.
COMMON NAMES: Wengue, Panga-Panga
ORIGIN: Central Africa
DESCRIPTION: Density 830 kg/m3. Heartwood is medium brown, sometimes with a reddish or yellowish hue, with nearly black streaks. Upon application of a wood finish the wood can become nearly black. Grain is straight, with a very coarse texture. Low natural luster.
RECOMMENDATIONS Can be difficult to work with hand and machine tools. Blunts tool edges. Sands unevenly due to differences in density between light and dark areas. Very large pores can be difficult to fill if a perfectly smooth/level finish is desired.
DRYING: Slow drying speed. Low risk of deformations.
USES: Guitar fingerboards, bridges, headplates, backs and sides. Bodies for electric and bass guitars.
