Ebony or rosewood...which is best?

[honeyiscool]

Of course switching to more sustainable woods is good, but there is a lot to fix in the ebony industry as well. And Bob Taylor of Taylor guitars has led the way. I mean it's a sad comment on human beings when they are sawing down rare Ebony trees and then letting the majority of them rot in the forest because they are not dark enough in color! Yes, it's understandable that if the men can't be paid to get them out, then they stay, but letting rare trees rot is like burning food to stay warm or something. Luckily Bob Taylor has started the ball rolling in changing the old ways so lesser trees can become used as well. I mean does stripey ebony really look bad? Does dyed ebony really play/sound that different? Especially when we have sawed up all the dark trees.

I watched that video about how Taylor bought up ebony forests and is helping make sure we use every last piece of ebony in a responsible manner. But I think this actually leaves a market for something like Ebonol to be used more in fretted instruments. I know it's already super popular in fretless basses and it can't be that expensive because it's in Squier basses, so for people who like the look of ebony and don't mind composite, I think Ebonol should be used more. I think if Gibson had gone with Ebonol instead of fake dyed baked maple for when they couldn't use rosewood, their customer base would have been happier.

I know I just said I love baked maple, but I think if you use it, you should just keep it in its beautiful syrupy delicious color, like compare how Gibson used baked maple with how Suhr used it.

 

[DigitalMan]

Difficult anyway to hang it on the wall

I tried a few solutions, and none were particularly satisfying. The best outcome was I that ended up with a really good pack of toggle bolts that I used to re-mount a laundry room light fixture when I swapped out the ballast in order to support changing from fluorescent tubes to LED tubes.

 

[Abner]

Hi Abner

This is just and drool!!! Very nice collection

Wise(b)ass

Thanks, very kind of you to say.

Is that a vantage fretless?
I love that Ibanez maple -

It is indeed, a 1981 VA900B/FL neckthrough, been with me since 1982 or so. The Roadster quickly became one of my favourites after I refinished the fingerboard. Thanks.

 

[easyj]

Ebony. It's considered an upgrade over rosewood. I would never choose rosewood over it, unless money was a question.

 

[Robroy]

I just was wondering which one most bassplayers prefered and why.

For me it's about looks. They all sound and feel the same to me.

Caveat: I believe ebony is most durable, followed by rosewood, and the least durable is maple.

 

[easyj]

For me it's about looks. They all sound and feel the same to me.

Caveat: I believe ebony is most durable, followed by rosewood, and the least durable is maple.

Right on. Maple is downright problematic if it is unfinished, it can get dirty. If it is finished, it can be sticky. Something to keep in mind, at one time rosewood was an extra cost option on Fender basses, because it is an upgrade. Rosewood can be too porous and can feel rough under your fingers, you would want the tightest grain you can get. Ebony is hard, tight grained wood and is very smooth to the touch. It is most likely to retain it's good looks. I think ebony feels the best because it's the smoothest without ever being sticky and looks great.

 

[mikeswals]

Ebony by far.
It feels better with its lack of any open grain. Every ebony equipped neck was more rock solid as far as any temperature/climate movement goes. And overall it has a snappier attack *to me* that I really prefer.
aaand! It looks way better than the general 'brown' rosewood that has been used for the last couple of decades, especially on black or dark colored basses.

 

[mikeswals]

I do have to add though...i had a late 60's Jazz with what sure looked like a brazilian board in nearly black in color. That one did look great.

 

[countrybass5]

I do have to add though...i had a late 60's Jazz with what sure looked like a brazilian board in nearly black in color. That one did look great.

Thanks...I'm getting the idea that ebony is the more popular of the two. I have rosewood on the basses I've owned.I was just curious what other players were using.

 

[Wisebass]

Buying used/relic'd, a 50s Precision with a maple board tells people I'm too r'n'r to wash my hands and I use the 3rd and 5th frets a lot.

all the flats and sharps in mint condition....

greetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[Watchootognbout]

Last year I have my lined fretless TWB with a rosewood fingerboard replaced with an unlined maccasar ebony fingerboard.
Before.

After.

I notice that macassar ebony tends to accentuate the highs and drops the mids.

 

[GreyBeard]

There is no best answer here, only what someone prefers. I've only had one bass with an ebony fretboard and that was a 80's Ibanez Musician. Its' tone was bright but warm. A brightness similar to maple and a warmth similar to rosewood. I always prefer maple over rosewood and I prefer ebony over maple when it is available.

 

[1bassleft]

all the flats and sharps in mint condition....

View attachment 2928872



greetings

Wise(b)ass

You got me - except I'm just young enough to describe myself as post-punk. Just think of the fortune I've saved in refrets, whatever they are.

 

[frankzelf]

All great, but I prefer the feel of ebony.