ebony or maple?

[Kipaste]

The only downside to ebony is that it seems to be one of the more sensitive fingerboards to changes in humidity. I love the look and tone, but live in an area with huge humidity swings, which makes them not as fun.

This. I love ebony fingerboards but they're a total pain in the butt during harsh and dry winters after a warm and humid summer.

I do file the frets end with new instruments every winter though. And with ebony, fret sprout can happen even with high quality instruments and with the humidifier in use.

Personally, it would come down to fretboard markings for me. Maple with blocks? Very yes. Maple with dots? Yuck. Clean ebony? Brilliant.

 

[darkstorm]

Ebony. I dont like fretboards with finish on them (maple). And I like the look of ebony better to.

 

[husky123]

Maple.

 

[WoodyG3]

I have both, I like both. If you're like Darkstorm and don't like finished fretboards, plenty of makers offer unfinished or oiled maple fretboards. I'm not sure about Sandberg, I couldn't find any mention of maple fretboards on their site.

 

[Medford Bassman]

Eh...as to which one is better.

As long as you say away from Balsa...you're good.