Finishing Mahogany Neck

[blazingblake]

I know mahogany needs to have the pores sealed do you have to lacquer it or can you just tung oil after dyeing or staining it?

[Mattia]

If you want a smooth finish, it needs its pores filled.

Personally? I never bother. My necks get a thin, natural finish, not buffed out to high gloss (either oil or french polished shellac), and I leave the pores open. Never had anyone complain about either the look or the feel. Other than that, you can stain and fill in one go, or fill, then stain, or stain, then fill, and then put whatever finish you want on top of that.

[Guitarfrenzy]

Like mattia said, normally you'd want to grainfill mahogany if your wanting a smooth finish. Just depends on what your wanting though, do you want to see the small dips of the grain pores or want a smooth glass like finish? In the big scheme of things it really doesn't matter, just a personal preference.