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Rosewood, Maple or Ebony?

Which Fretboard Material is the best?

  • Rosewood

    Votes: 89 32.2%

  • Maple

    Votes: 98 35.5%

  • Ebony

    Votes: 89 32.2%
  • Total voters
    276
  • Poll closed .
S

SamWebsterbell

Aug 7, 2009
214
1
United Kingdom
#1
I know this thread has been done before i did search it but, it is from like the year 2000 or 2003.
I would like an update!
I have only ever used maple and Rosewood necks, i hear Ebony necks are good to though, will try one don't you worry.
I personnally prefer a Rosewood neck, don't know why but to me maple necks feel too glossy...maybe that's the finish they have to put on them but not a fan of it.
Probably i would give the looks to Maple
The sound to rosewood
The more vintage look to rosewood.

What do you guys think, post your views and Vote :)
 
#2
I voted rosewood, I have never tried ebony and rosewood feels better than maple IMO. Also maple boards sounded a bit to trebly to me and created more fret noise (could also be caused by the particular bass/strings).
 
#7
I was curious as to the relative hardness of maple and rosewood, and found a scale that says the rosewood is essentially twice as hard. Mmmm Makes you wonder why the treble is usually thought to be greater with a maple neck. Something here I am not understanding re: the way woods reflect/project different tones.

Link Removed
 
#11
As ever surely there is not a "best", just different. FWIW if find that maple (on Fenders at least) seems to be bulkier than rosewood, again just different and not good or bad as it's all personal preference. Having said all that I do prefer the neck on my rosewood P to my maple P, but purely from a comfort standpoint.
 
#18
The reason I thought maple was more trebly could have easily been caused by the bass I played it on. I tried to get that bass warm and thumping but for some reason it just wouldn't (probably the active preamp that wasn't voiced to my liking). That combined with the fret noise gave me a very trebly impression. I do want to try out some more maple boards but till now rosewood always felt more comfortable.
 
#19
This ones definitely been done more recently then 2003 but nevermind.

The general consensus is the effect on sound is very very very minimal - and if you don't use much in the way of high mids or top end then your probably not gonna hear any difference whatsoever - and the major difference is simply in looks and feel, personally I like the feel of lacquered maple cos it's nice and solid, there's no such thing as the "best" material what with it being so subjective.
 
#20
Bootzilla said:
The reason I thought maple was more trebly could have easily been caused by the bass I played it on. I tried to get that bass warm and thumping but for some reason it just wouldn't (probably the active preamp that wasn't voiced to my liking). That combined with the fret noise gave me a very trebly impression. I do want to try out some more maple boards but till now rosewood always felt more comfortable.
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That is my exact opinion. For now i prefer Rosewood, but you find me an amazing bass with a maple, ebony fretboard and let me try it, i may buy it.
 

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