Maple vs. Rosewood

[tbass-chicago]

Hi,

I've always had basses with rosewood necks, and I'm curious if people notice a tonal or playability difference with the maple neck.

Thanks!

 

[RunngDog]

Short answer is "yes" with respect to tone, "no" with respect to playability. But you probably want to do a search -- the topic has been covered many, many times.

 

[BrandonBass]

I can see the dirt from dead skin on my maple neck...

 

[doc540]

Sonic tone chambers can compenstate for the differences between the two necks.

 

[Tony G]

I'd say use the search function usually, as this topic has been covered multiple times at length. But since it doesn't work right now, I guess another thread about this won't hurt.

I think the common thought here on this topic is that maple fb's have more attack and are brighter sounding, and rosewood sound a bit more warm and mellow sounding.

 

[ALiP BoB]

Haha... You guys can't say use the search function! Hahaha

 

[lefty007]

Sonic tone chambers can compenstate for the differences between the two necks.

I have also noticed that light-colored basses sound brighter, while darker colors tend to sound, well, darker.

But if I close my eyes, they all sound the same, with or without tone chambers.

.

 

[RunngDog]

Oops, sorry tbass, I didn't really the search wasn't working. But still, you might do well just scrolling backwards through this forum - the topic really is covered a lot and you'll likely bump into a relevant thread pretty quickly.

Not trying to avoid the questions, I just remember that lots of folks (including Roger Sadowsky) participated in the most recent thread on this particular issue.

 

[ehque]

lefty007, that's a generalisation that covers common woods quite accurately from what i know. ebony bucks the rule tho - its extremely dark in colour, and its bright in tone.

 

[lpdeluxe]

This has been beat to death, and there's only one answer: if you like the sound of a bass with a maple fingerboard, then that's better.

If you like the sound of a bass that uses a different type of wood or other material for the fingerboard, then THAT's better.

For you.

 

[BuffaloBass]

As an "amatuer" who loves the sound of a maple board, I must say it is harder to play accurately as fingering slightly off and you really hear the frets. I still love it. And it might make me a better player eventually.

Gotta try ebony. Plus, you know, BLACK is BEAUTIFUL!

 

[tbass-chicago]

I did try to search first, but as you all know, TB was/is "searchless" for the time being. I'll try skimming through the headlines and see what I find.

If it's that's common a question, and that annoying when it comes up, why not make it a sticky?

 

[cdb]

i think the differences are pretty minimal. i play both. I think most differences are in the mind.

 

[Tony G]

Its not annoying, tbass. I think all questions have their merit here, even if they have been asked before. Topics can be revisited with fresh debate. This topic however has been heavily covered here.

 

[jwbassman]

Check out: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Mike Tobias has a good article on different wood tones for neck, Fretboard, Top Wood, etc. Good Read

 

[tbass-chicago]

Check out: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Mike Tobias has a good article on different wood tones for neck, Fretboard, Top Wood, etc. Good Read

Thanks!

 

[Eric Perry]

Hi,

I've always had basses with rosewood necks, and I'm curious if people notice a tonal or playability difference with the maple neck.

Thanks!

RRRRUUUUUUUNNNN!!!!!

There was a thread up here some time ago that got pseudo-heated over the topic. I shiver when I think of that happening again!

I think that generally speaking, yes there is a difference. BUT, with all of the variation between multiple pieces of the same wood, it's not so safe to say that.

Re: playability, Maple is generally clear-coated, while Rosewood is bare. Could that make a playability issue? I suppose to some.

 

[DERECOLA]

I like the darker boards myself,smother sound to my ear.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I have also noticed that light-colored basses sound brighter, while darker colors tend to sound, well, darker.

But if I close my eyes, they all sound the same, with or without tone chambers.

.