mahogany soundboard grain fill?

[Steven Bollman]

I'm making an all mahogany Gibson J-45. Should I fill the grain on the top as I would the back and sides? I'm going to make a tobacco sunburst. Thx.

[Jim.S]

If you want the top smooth then you will have to. It will add a smidge of weight (couldn't be that much I would guess) though so it is looks or weight you have to consider in your decision Steve.

Jim

[guitarelic]

RE: the 'filler' used on 'Hog sets....I was looking inside my '92 Guild D-15 all 'Hog arch-back and noticed this grayish stuff that is not glue slopped here & there on some of the bracing and internal surfaces. Since it looks like the stuff that is in the grain-pores of the guitars wood, I can only conclude that it's some kind of 'filler' and this stuff is......what? Why is it this (I.M.H.O.) uncomplimentary color and what can I use to clean up these spills inside the guitar body......water/solvent ?

[redir]

I've only made two mahogany topped guitars and in both cases I filled them. I just think it looks better. I would not worry about the tone. In either case you are going to have a mahogany sounding topped guitar which I think sounds great btw.

[John Arnold]

In either case you are going to have a mahogany sounding topped guitar which I think sounds great btw.

Exactly. Mahogany is stiffer across the grain than most spruce, which will tend to produce a brighter tone. That will trump any mimimal weight gain from filling the pores.

Why is it this (I.M.H.O.) uncomplimentary color and what can I use to clean up these spills inside the guitar body......water/solvent ?

Color of pore filler is purely at the discretion of the finishing crew.
If it is water based, it will clean up with water. Otherwise, a solvent like acetone may be necessary.