Fender AS P-Bass Sunburst: Rosewood or Maple?

Hi,

I've been searching around for info on which fingerboard to choose for a 2008 American Standard P-Bass, but haven't found quite the answer to my questions, so...

I tried out a 2008 AS P-Bass in 3-tone sunburst with a rosewood fretboard, and it felt and sounded fabulous (far better than the Skyline Duck Dunn that I played). I also tried out the '62 reissue, which had a better neck (IMHO) but didn't sound quite as good to me.

Now, while I quite liked the look/feel of the rosewood on the '62, it seemed a bit rougher on the Standard (though obviously the tone wasn't causing any problems). They had a 5-string P with a maple neck, and I prefer the look and feel of the glossy maple board. Thing is, I'd have to have the shop special order the 4-stringer with a maple fretboard, so I'll be buying basically "sight unseen".

I am fortunate (in a way) to be stuck considering this one store only since I have significant gift certificates, so going elsewhere to find a maple fretboard is out of the question.

What should I do here?

 

I decided to go with the rosewood neck...the bass in the shop just sounded so good, I didn't want to go the mail-order route just for a different color fretboard when such a fantastic instrument was in my hands already.

The way I see it...I'm after the nice round p-bass tone, so if there is in fact a tone difference in the fretboard woods, the rosewood is the one that would do what I want sound-wise.

If in a few years I add a jazz bass, I'll go with a maple board at that time, since it would mate well with the jazz sound. That is, unless i go with Olympic white!

BTW, the bass is incredible! With the kids around I'll only get sporadic chances to play with it today, but it is a very different instrument than my (also very nice) Godin Freeway Active. Will need to play with amp settings a bit - everything was rolled down on the amp due to the Godin's high output from 2 aggressive active humbuckers.