Grain deviations and high extractives content are common features of many tropical woods. This study aimed at clarifying their respective impact on vibrational properties, referring to African Padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii Taub.), a species selected for its interlocked grain, high extractives content and uses in xylophones. Specimens were cut parallel to the trunk axis (L), and local variations in grain angle (GA), microfibril angle (MFA), specific Young's modulus (E0L/q, where q stands for the density) and damping coefficient (tandL) were measured. GA dependence was analysed by a mechanical model which allowed to identify the specific Young's modulus (E03/q) and shear modulus (G0/q) along the grain (3) as well as their corresponding damping coefficients (tand3, tandG). This analysis was done for native and then for extracted wood. Interlocked grain resulted in 0-25_ GA and in variations of a factor 2 in E0L/q and tandL. Along the grain, Padauk wood was characterized, when compared to typical hardwoods, by a somewhat lower E03/q and elastic anisotropy (E0/G0), due to a wide microfibril angle plus a small weight effect.