Why do some neck woods not need finishing?

[David]

I am curious as to why woods like canary don't need finishing but others like maple do.  What is different about carnary, bubinga, ebony, etc.?

Thanks!

 

[Soloshchenko]

Good question, I don't know.

 

[chuck7]

From what I understand it is because those woods contain enough natural oils that they are not susceptible to warping or twisting from moisture exposure. 

 

[ibob74]

I concur.

 

[guitlouie]

Ayuh, that is what I understand as well.

 

[tfarny]

Doesn't it also have to do with the hardness of the wood? I know that rosewood and ebony in particular are super-hard and also don't need a finish (but then again so is maple).

 

[jackthehack]

Doesn't it also have to do with the hardness of the wood? I know that rosewood and ebony in particular are super-hard and also don't need a finish (but then again so is maple).

Density doesn't really matter; it's how impervious the wood is to moisture absorbtion which is a function of natural oil content and cellular structure.