Does fretboard wood make a consistent difference in tone that you can hear?

[tfer]

Yeah, but that’s a difference in what is transmitted directly to a pickup.

But, it affects how the string vibrates through the magnetic field.

If the wood dampens some harmonic energy, the pickups can’t transmit what isn’t there.

 

[Member8675309]

And this opinion helps resolve the question, IMHO. I've played quite a few different basses over the years, but their configuration was different enough that it would have been impossible to tell what part of it was the fretboard. I had just assumed there must be an audible difference, but I think that came from my youth on piano where tonewoods obviously do matter a lot.
I'm gonna watch this thread with interest. I've seen the Scott Groves video debunking the idea of tonewoods for electric instruments using magnetic pickups. But I doubt the answer is in the extremes.

Anyway interesting, and you changing out necks and being able to tell seems like would be a good indicator.

I’ve changed out different necks enough to notice a consistency. Still, it doesn’t stop me from considering the possibility of neck construction, the possibility of coincidence. And, even though I do agree with about 90% of my being there is a difference, I do admit it to be minor.

 

[Bassbeater]

A luthier built 2 identical guitars

No luthier ever built two identical guitars.
I hope you feel really sorry for me, like contact me for my paypal level of sorry.

 

[Alan Ace Cooper]

Here's an old writing by Brian Barrett at Low End Bass. Different woods hold sonic differences. I know I personally do not like Pau Farro fingerboards, nor do I like Walnut bodies or Maple bodied basses. I find Walnut to be too boomy and Maple to be too tight.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[GreyBeard]

Lol....ok.

Excuse me?

 

[GrapeBass]

Yeah, but that’s a difference in what is transmitted directly to a pickup.

Vibrations can transmit all kinds of aural information, have you of heard vinyl record albums? Lots of tone being relayed through a needle there.

 

[tfer]

No luthier ever built two identical guitars.
I hope you feel really sorry for me, like contact me for my paypal level of sorry.

LOL!

It sounds to me like you agree that the wood has changed the tone!

The strings, hardware, pickups, et al have been transferred from one guitar to the other, including using the same screws and bolts.

They sound very different.

 

[GreyBeard]

It's actually pretty incredible the difference it makes. I had a maple board for the first few years of a custom hybrid bass (Kali-Koa body) and changed it to a rosewood. I have not looked back... I personally prefer the rosewood as it is a warmer and seems more 'organic.'

I'm the opposite, I like the raw open sound of maple over the more muted rosewood tone.

 

[GBBSbassist]

LOL!

It sounds to me like you agree that the wood has changed the tone!

The strings, hardware, pickups, et al have been transferred from one guitar to the other, including using the same screws and bolts.

They sound very different.

Very different? I don't hear a huge difference at all. I think I'm subconsciously hearing a difference because I'm physically seeing a difference. If I watch that video and close my eyes, I can't tell which is which.

 

[GrapeBass]

I'm the opposite, I like the raw open sound of maple over the more muted rosewood tone.

Respect! It's all about our preferences and tastes. One day I may have the classic P-Bass with the classic maple board, one day (then again, a P-Bass with a nice rosewood neck - hmmm). LOL

 

[GrapeBass]

Very different? I don't hear a huge difference at all. I think I'm subconsciously hearing a difference because I'm physically seeing a difference. If I watch that video and close my eyes, I can't tell which is which.

We're all listening to sound bytes from Youtube, not the most sonically trustworthy source.

 

[Bassbeater]

It sounds to me like you agree that the wood has changed the tone

I think you hear all sorts of things!

Of course I hear a difference in those perfectly designed laboratory controlled "experiments". There are simply too many other factors involved. And the difference is negligible for any but the most ardent tone chasers. Run those guitars through the marshall stack as intended and that difference is less than trivial. Play it through a PA or in a band context and the meaningless nuance is lost.
We all indulge fantasies about the importance of our tone. Guilty as charged sir!... Minor tonal differences are in fact trivial compared to the skill level of the player, the quality of the songwriting, the amp, the room, the other instrumentation, etc etc.

 

[tfer]

I think you hear all sorts of things!

Of course I hear a difference in those perfectly designed laboratory controlled "experiments". There are simply too many other factors involved. And the difference is negligible for any but the most ardent tone chasers. Run those guitars through the marshall stack as intended and that difference is less than trivial. Play it through a PA or in a band context and the meaningless nuance is lost.
We all indulge fantasies about the importance of our tone. Guilty as charged sir!... Minor tonal differences are in fact trivial compared to the skill level of the player, the quality of the songwriting, the amp, the room, the other instrumentation, etc etc.

I completely agree with you in all regards!

However, if I’m gonna paint a room blue, I’d rather start with a blue base, rather than a red one!

 

[bking0217]

I can feel a difference, but I can't hear one. I guess that means I need to buy more basses for, you know, "research".

 

[MordBass]

Hmm...I don't think that has been asked here before...should be interesting...

View attachment 2930979

Thank god you replied

 

[MordBass]

Over 10,000 basses between the two of them (Tobias and Sadowsky), with reputations and livelihood on the line.

I’m pretty confident in whose expertise is more extensive.

I agree with you... but to be fair we're also talking about the same guys that charge $1,500 for a "tone wood" top. Hell, MTD charges a grand for a lacquer finish so although their expertise is extensive, so is their financial interest. If you load a MIM jazz and an NYC Sadowsky with the same pickups and then record the same song.... zero people will be able to tell the difference in the mix. Now dont get me wrong... the sadowsky will be infinitely better in your hands and will be built far better as well. I've played them and theyre fantastic. But one must be cautious when giving weight to the words of those that are vested $$. Its no different than saying that Noel Lee knows more about cables than any of us.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

I'm sure there could be some difference in a bedroom practice environment or studio recording, but live or at rehearsal (or with a typical studio bass mix) it's not going to be very evident, if at all.

I do prefer maple fretboards over rosewood, but because of feel and less because of tone. I would say the "brightness" of maple could be the finish used on it and less the wood itself. IDK, maybe I don't have golden ears and just can't hear the difference

 

[DukeCC]

I think you can add 'in the mix' to any hypothetical gear comparison and the answer is No.

 

[Watchootognbout]

There's too many different variables.
You can't attribute one thing to one thing.

 

[BioDriver]

I think you can add 'in the mix' to any hypothetical gear comparison and the answer is No.

Not entirely true. See:

There's too many different variables.
You can't attribute one thing to one thing.

IME the tone wood makes a difference - even alder/maple/rosewood P and J basses sound different from one another. Listen to Roger and Michael, they're 110% correct.