They are definitely unattractive (to me) but if the bass sounds and plays great I would live with it.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Do you dislike maple fingerboards?
- Thread starter MAJOR METAL
- Start date
I used to only go for Rosewood boards. I still have only one with a Maple but now I kind of like the extra "snap" I get from the maple board. At this point I think it would depend on the bass and what I wanted out of it.
I like the look of maple but it has to be done right. I had a Gibson Tobias bass where the maple wasn't finished and I really did not like the way it stained. Then I had a Fender with a maple board and the finish was too thick (for my tastes, obviously).
I have a nitro P that is great and a Warwick thumb with a wenge neck and it's great too. So carrots
Anyone else find it odd when builders charges more for a maple fingerboard than rosewood?
Well, rosewood is easier to work with. But you would think that the advanced technology that has enabled a balance of 40 chemicals to taste pretty much like real maple syrup would have closed that gap by now.
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,057
- 38,405
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
I won't vote because years ago I did care, nothing but rosewood for me. Still me favorite but maple, ebony etc. all have their place.
Actually, I really like maple boards... A LOT!
As they say, your mileage may vary...
As they say, your mileage may vary...
It can cost more. And Rosewood is often left bare. Maple isn't. So no, it actually makes sense.
No, I don't dislike maple fretboards, but I used to... I don't think the wood affects tone in the least, so for me it's solely a matter of aesthetics. It depends on the body color/finish. A maple board looks tasty on a black body - especially with black blocks, like the Geddy Lee Jazz (or my self-built Geddy Lee/MM hybrid clone 
). Maple also looks nice with a sunburst... Any sunburst (but especially a cherry or honey burst). I've also been harboring some long-burning GAS for a P-bass in Lake Placid Blue with a maple fretboard and cream pearloid or anodized gold PG. Maple on Candy Apple or metallic red looks DELICIOUS too!
I don't care for maple on maple, ash or any light colored wood with a natural finish. Just not enough contrast for me.
). Maple also looks nice with a sunburst... Any sunburst (but especially a cherry or honey burst). I've also been harboring some long-burning GAS for a P-bass in Lake Placid Blue with a maple fretboard and cream pearloid or anodized gold PG. Maple on Candy Apple or metallic red looks DELICIOUS too!I don't care for maple on maple, ash or any light colored wood with a natural finish. Just not enough contrast for me.
I generally prefer the look/feel of maple although my only maple board bass is actually the least favorite of the 3 I currently own. (And it's a really good bass, just not AS good haha)
I'll echo what's already been said here: I pretty much lean towards Maple these days because they're easier to see in the dark. But I still like Rosewood. Haven't had enough experience with Ebony to give an informed opinion.
I hate auto correct. Pearloid inlay! What is Pearland anyways? My Kindle seems to know! Wish it would tell me. I have the VM '77 with the white block, the VM '70s with the black, My MIM Geddy Lee with the black and a MIM 2011 P with a Chris Aiken neck with white. See avatar. Love them. My Ibanez SRs have Rosewoods with matching headstocks so they look proportioned. The only other rosewoods I have are a Fretless which makes sense and a J with a P bass neck, that came off of the P. So yes maple is my fave. Although I really want a Talman with the bound rosie and Pearloid block inlays. That's sharp looking.
As a general rule; no, I don't dislike them. The dislike - when there is any - always seems to be generated by what they're attached to...
Last edited:
Just found this thread so I thought I'd post this video that I did a few weeks ago.
These basses have the same strings, materials, hardware and electrics. Apart from colour and fingerboard they should be the same for test purposes (although I know that the pickups might possibly vary a little despite being the same design). The basses weigh the same.
The difference in tone between the two basses seems to reinforce what I've previously thought, having done numerous neck swaps over the years.
These basses have the same strings, materials, hardware and electrics. Apart from colour and fingerboard they should be the same for test purposes (although I know that the pickups might possibly vary a little despite being the same design). The basses weigh the same.
The difference in tone between the two basses seems to reinforce what I've previously thought, having done numerous neck swaps over the years.
Just having this discussion over in a fretless thread - Rosewood is MUCH harder than maple. It's not even close. Especially Indian Rosewood, which is the most common used for musical instruments.
It's why maple needs a finish, and rosewood sits bare.
The Janka Hardness Test for Hardwoods
From an aesthetic point, I do not like maple 'boards. Usually too bright looking, too "white" and too high contrast against pretty much all finishes.
From a tactile point, I do not like maple 'boards. The finished ones (majority) feel sticky to me, and inhibit playability. The unfinished ones collect grime and gunk just sitting there, and and often feel even worse than the finished ones.
If I want a sound close to the maple sound, I'll go with ebony.
All above is imo, ymmv, sold by weight not volume, some settling may occur during shipping, tip your server, look both ways before crossing, and wait half an hour before swimming after consumption.
(And, if you think you have consumption, you might want to get to a doctor.)
From a tactile point, I do not like maple 'boards. The finished ones (majority) feel sticky to me, and inhibit playability. The unfinished ones collect grime and gunk just sitting there, and and often feel even worse than the finished ones.
If I want a sound close to the maple sound, I'll go with ebony.
All above is imo, ymmv, sold by weight not volume, some settling may occur during shipping, tip your server, look both ways before crossing, and wait half an hour before swimming after consumption.
(And, if you think you have consumption, you might want to get to a doctor.)
- Jan 12, 2011
- 4,578
- 2,460
- Disclosures
- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
If you look at my profile pic you'll see they are my preference. The ONLY reason my Brute single cut has a rosewood board is because that was/is the only option. Maybe you should have said fretboards or do you actually mean necks???? If that is the case all of mine happen to be maple although I've heard some wicked sounding basses made with ash necks and maple boards
