Kev Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Being new to the world of new era Warwick's, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the wenge fretboards have a lovely sheen to them, in comparison to the old Warwicks I am used to. Now, I have looked all over the net and not found anyone talking about this. I know lemon oil does not give this sheen, what does? Is it just the fresh-ish wood, or is wax/different oil used? I'll try and take a picture to show you what I mean, but hopefully someone will know what I am talking about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fionn Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 [quote name='Kev' timestamp='1386365862' post='2299477'] Being new to the world of new era Warwick's, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the wenge fretboards have a lovely sheen to them, in comparison to the old Warwicks I am used to. Now, I have looked all over the net and not found anyone talking about this. I know lemon oil does not give this sheen, what does? Is it just the fresh-ish wood, or is wax/different oil used? I'll try and take a picture to show you what I mean, but hopefully someone will know what I am talking about! [/quote] Hmmmm. I sometimes use wenge for the handles of sgian dubhs (a dagger, traditional to Scotland) that I make. In order to give it a solid and even sheen I give the wood a good coat of shellac, sand it back, then another skim of shellac, rubbing back with increasingly fine grades of wet and dry until the impregnated wood is basically being polished. The shellac does a good job of sealing the wood, also getting right into those deep grain recesses which are typical in wenge. I'm not sure of Warwicks method, but this is certainly one way to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted December 9, 2013 Author Share Posted December 9, 2013 (edited) Here is the pic, should hopefully be able to see the glossy look I am talking about: [attachment=150184:IMG_1597.JPG] As opposed to this pic of my old Thumb bass, with no sheen (board was lemon oiled whilst I owned it) [attachment=150185:SAM_0205.JPG] Again, it may be just my overexposure to old Warwicks and the fretboard will dull over time, but if it is polished in some way to keep it glossy I would like to keep it that way Edited December 9, 2013 by Kev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted January 1, 2014 Author Share Posted January 1, 2014 Any more info on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 tried emailing warwick direct? they are pretty good with the replies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted January 2, 2014 Author Share Posted January 2, 2014 I had the generic response of using beeswax or lemon oil, neither of which would give the sheen it has. I think it has a finish on it that will probably wear off over time, rather than it be something you can keep applying regularly. No other experience with post 2010 Warwicks for comparison. I should probably ask on the Warwick forum I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Carnuba wax will do it. I apply it to a custom strat I have. Keep applying it and polishing and it will eventually go to a high sheen - but not a gloss as such. I think that's where you want to be, shiny but not that wet look gloss look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblueplanet Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 My 1999 Thumb bass has a dull finish. I use lemon oil but the shine doesnt last. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fionn Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Shellac is your friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share Posted January 6, 2014 [quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1388934966' post='2327775'] Shellac is your friend. [/quote] That could be exactly what it is. It can't be a wax or oil as it just, for want of a better description, looks like it has a thin finish on it. We'll see how it lasts! Cheers guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBString58 Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 With really fine wire wool, you can burnish the wenge, because it's so hard you won't affect the shape, but with a lot of pressure you can get a shine on there. I did it on my SS2 which was looking rather like your thumb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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