Maple fretboard?

[lavmonga]

I have both and it seems to be that it's mostly aesthetic.

[Runnerman]

or this....block inlays 70's.
This is more in my price range...

[ggvicviper]

Purely asthetics for me. Both maple and rosewood have their purposes, and go better with different colors, both body and headstock.

[SigiZ58]

is it really the difference between maple and rosewood or (what I believe) the varnish on the maple compared to naked wood ?

[sven kalmar]

i love the looks of that 59 blonde/rosewood...i guess it sound awesome too..but right now way too expensive.

[MarTONEbass]

I dig maple because I'm a whacko in the wood matters camp. It sounds brighter to my ears, or, what Ken said. I dig ebony, too for the same reason.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

I like the look of both rosewood and maple.

But put me in that club of wackos who hear a slightly brighter tone on guitars and basses with maple boards.

Let the games begin.

Originally Posted by brumshine

Call me crazy, but I think that there is a slight difference in feel when playing too.

These...


- georgestrings

[king_biscuit]

I think guys playing flats with the tone rolled off (I do that too sometimes) are not going to hear the difference a maple board makes to the tone.

[elgecko]

I like maple but they can get pretty shabby looking/stained/dirty after LOTS of wear.

[Emibass]

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

I think guys playing flats with the tone rolled off (I do that too sometimes) are not going to hear the difference a maple board makes to the tone.

Actually I do make a diference as the maple is more focused in the low end. IMO

[klejst]

I never really could tell a difference with maple over rosewood, but that's me. I agree I feel mostly it is how it looks on the eyes more then anything.

[rob2966]

Big fan of maple fretboards, I perceive a very small difference in tone (on bass, much more on a guitar). Mostly, I chose maple because:

a) I like the look, especially when the headstock is also maple.

b) you can get cool figuring (24F5 is birds eye, the WL4 is flamed).



Later
Rob

[Fuzzbass]

Originally Posted by SigiZ58

is it really the difference between maple and rosewood or (what I believe) the varnish on the maple compared to naked wood ?

Maybe. Nobody knows. A lot of people *claim* to know, but nobody has any proof and there's little if any scientifically valid evidence.

It's perfectly reasonable to argue that a finished fretboard has a different tone than an unfinished board, even on a fretted bass. And it's reasonable to argue otherwise.

[Ezmar]

I mostly just like the brighter tone (visually, not sound) of maple over rosewood. although I think that ebony looks good on an unlined fretless, as well. My current bass has a maple board, and my only gripe is that is doesn't have the block inlays I love so much. But dots are cool too... and the bass sounds fantastic.

But back on the topic of boards, I love the way that it lightens up the bass. The synergy of the maple board and the pearloid pickguard makes it a very happy looking bass, sort of. If that makes sense.

[Runnerman]

Originally Posted by rob2966

Big fan of maple fretboards, I perceive a very small difference in tone (on bass, much more on a guitar). Mostly, I chose maple because:

a) I like the look, especially when the headstock is also maple.

b) you can get cool figuring (24F5 is birds eye, the WL4 is flamed).



Later
Rob

Love it Rob! Great pic!

[Marginal Tom]

Between the tone knobs on your bass and amp, you should easily be able to compensate for any difference in tone between fretboard woods (or body woods or strings or pickups).

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by Marginal Tom

Between the tone knobs on your bass and amp, you should easily be able to compensate for any difference in tone between fretboard woods (or body woods or strings or pickups).

That's a good thought, if you subscribe to the "fix it in the signal chain" mentality.

But there's something to be said for the "begin at the source" mentality as well.

[ggvicviper]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

That's a good thought, if you subscribe to the "fix it in the signal chain" mentality.

But there's something to be said for the "begin at the source" mentality as well.

I subscribe to the "I'm just gonna make it sound good any way I can" mentality.

[Greevus]

Maple is brighter and seems more durable for me. My Rosewood necks have deeper string grooves worn into them with a lot less playing time. I also like the look and feel of Maple. No doubt to my and my bandmates' ears, the Maple necks cut through more. The Rosewood necks seem darker and maybe snarlier in a way. Maple punches and sounds more high end.

Just took a P/Rose Fender and rehearsed a set with it. Then switched to Maple and it was hands down obviously brighter/punchier. All hardware was identical on both guitars as well.

[johng999]

I have a few of both - all I can say is that I like the look and feel of maple, but it doesn't sway me - I play the bass that sounds right for the project I am doing. But really,
- my 55 precision RI does not sound bright in any way
- my 69 tele bass does not sound bright
- my classic 70's precision sounds bright with rounds on it
All are maple.
Last night I played my 64 CS jazz, rosewood, sounded awesome.
I don't like one over the other and think it is a lot more than just the fingerboard that creates the bright sound. but this is just an opinion.