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maple fretboard vs rosewood fretboard

C

Calvan

May 13, 2008
191
0
38
San Diego
www.myspace.com
#1
so basically every bass i've owned has a rosewood fretboard. i have some cheap basses, and some higher end ones. i'm considering getting a essex j because i've wanted a decent but inexpensive j for awhile now. I can't seem to find one that has a regular scale length and a rosewood fretboard. but i have found one with a maple fretboard. i have no experience with a maple fretboard.... so my question is....

what's the difference? i'm not looking for what your opinion is or what you like better. but how does it play?

unless i'm mistaken, i know rosewood has a rep for being soft and fast. and that maple is harder. is this true? does soft = fast? does a harder board put more stress on your fingers?

any and all help is much appreciated.


p.s. - sorry if this has been done a million times. i searched, unsuccessfully.
 
#5
i'm no expert, but I think the impact on playability on a bass is smaller than that on say, a guitar, as you will likely have much less contact with the fretboard if you are using proper standard technique.

Also, maple fretboards are generally finished, and the finish may very.. some may feel very much like unfinished wood, and some may feel like they are coated with plastic..

Rosewood is generally regarded as being darker and Maple as brighter sounding, as far as tone goes, though I don't think it is a very significant difference.

As I am sure everyone else will tell you, if it looks good to you, and plays well for you, then it is the right one for you..
 
#7
thanks trance. good to know about the coating on maple boards. doesn't sound like something i'd like. i'll probably go try to find on at GC or another shop and give it a go anyways.



waterguy... i can't tell if your being sarcastic. it sent me to a page that said... "TalkBass System Message
Sorry - no matches. NOTE, that the forum search ignores words that are under 3 characters long, or extremely popular words like "bass" and "guitar".

Alternatively, try the powerful TalkBass Google search option available on the Advanced Search page."

the same page i got when i tried to search
 
#10
To answer yer question, I personally don't feel much of a difference in playability between maple and rosewood. Many could argue there's a huge difference in playability, just as even more could argue over whether or not there's a true tonal difference. Best way to reach your own conclusions?: Go and play for yourself.
 

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