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Rosewood or Maple with the SX?

#3
SXSJB75LTD-1.gif


Need I say more?
 
#6
riprorin said:
Does it make any difference as far as sound or playability or is the difference just cosmetic?

Which do ya'll prefer?

Thanks!
Click to expand...


It makes a difference in sound, playability, and cosmetically. Tone will be generally brighter with maple vs. rosewood.

As for playability, maple fingerboards must be finished which IME makes the board a little 'stickier' If that makes sense. The rosewood board is usually unfinished so it feels more natural to my fingers. One is not necessarily better than the other in this regard, but if you are used to one, it may make the other less fun to play.

Cosmetically, its all personal preference. I have a bass with rosewood and one with maple and they serve different purposes and have different tone. IMO I prefer rosewood with blocks but hey thats just me.

Here is a pic of rosewood heaven
IMG_9799.gif


And Maple heaven
IMG_9876.gif
 
#7
I used to be rosewood only, and I do like the looks of rosewood a lot. But over the years I've moved to maple. Just prefer the feel of it most of the time, and the brightness. Although it would be nice to have a bass with rosewood again at some point.
 
#9
I dunno about the 'stickiness' of maple fretboards...my fingers don't touch the fretboard, only the strings, but my fingertips are kinda slim. I think I prefer maple on an inexpensive bass, because sometimes the 'cheap' rosewood grain/color doesn't look so great, and then there's the possible shrinkage issue with two different types of wood that may possibly not be fully seasoned having different shrinkage rates. (some people have noted fret ends sticking out on some SX necks due to shrinkage but I don't know if there's data on whether this is more common on rosewood). A one piece maple neck makes more sense to me on a bass in that price range, but really the main consideration is what looks better to you. Rosewood should be oiled every so often, and I don't like a faux-lemony smelly oily fretboard. YMMV
I agree tho maple has a bit more bright punch than rosewood, and punch is harder to dial in on an amp than warmth, IMO, another reason I give the edge to maple if you are on the fence about appearance.
 
#10
maple blows rosewood out of the water looks wise. it is also cheaper, witch is helpful for those that try to build there own basses. imo the only advantage the RW has is the nice feel, but how the fb feels barly matters, when you compair it to the body, or especially the back of the neck
 

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