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fretboard material

S

STROMERO

Supporting Member
Sep 12, 2016
138
526
#1
I have a Fender Blacktop bass with a P-Bass neck. I love the tone but I prefer the J-Bass neck. I have a Jazz neck on my Precision. I want to replace the neck on the Blacktop and found a pretty good price on one but the fretboard is maple. I know the purported differences in tone between rosewood and maple.

Has anyone ever switched and how noticeable was the change? I think the maple might complement the humbuckers on the Blacktop. Any ideas? I know it's subjective and I won't know unless I try. Just looking for experiences.
 
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#3
This video demonstrates pretty well what difference body and neck/fret board wood will do for your tone (especially notice how much the brown maple neck/fret board with ash body stands out. The newer Japan made bass with basswood body comes close in snapyness since basswood also is supposed to be mid heavy like ash, but still not quite there, as it lacks the maple fret board which is supposed to emphasis the treble and mids response as well.)

I guess Killed_by_Death is right though, won't make much of a noticeable difference in the mix.:

 
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#4
NoiseNinja said:
This video demonstrates pretty well what difference body and neck/fret board wood will do for your tone (especially notice how much the brown maple neck/fret board with ash body stands out. The newer Japan made bass with basswood body comes close in snapyness since basswood also is supposed to be mid heavy like ash, but still not quite there, as it lacks the maple fret board which is supposed to enphasis the treble and mids response as well.)

I guess Killed_by_Death is right though, won't make much of a noticeable difference in the mix.:

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These dont have the same pickups, do they? What about the pots?

These comparisons never seem be valid as there are so many variables.

I will say all three sound fine and if you heard them all in a real mix a day apart I doubt you could tell the difference.
 
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#5
Chico Ruger said:
These dont have the same pickups, do they? What about the pots?

These comparisons never seem be valid as there are so many variables.

I will say all three sound fine and if you heard them all in a real mix a day apart I doubt you could tell the difference.
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I do realize that the basses in the video I linked to doesn't have the exact same electronics equipped, still the tone that comes out of them sounds pretty much as you would expect from the kind of wood they are made of, and in my opinion it is still one of the best videos out there if you want to hear the difference one could expect from different wood types.

I also specifically made a note saying that the difference is probably not significant enough to make any big noteable difference in the mix, so honestly I really can't see what your post bring to this discussion.
 
#6
NoiseNinja said:
I do realize that the basses in the video I linked to doesn't have the exact same electronics equipped, still the tone that comes out of them sounds pretty much as you would expect from the kind of wood they are made of, and it is still one of the best videos out there if you want to hear the difference one could expect from different wood types.

I also specifically made a note saying that the difference is probably not significant enough to make any big noteable difference in the mix, so honestly I really can't see what your post bring to this discussion.
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The point was trying to make is that the various combinations of body wood and fretboard materials makes little practical difference when playing in a band situation. Perhaps I could have worded it more clearly.

I am really sorry you don't like my post. I offer a sincere apology and hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.
 
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#7
Chico Ruger said:
The point was trying to make is that the various combinations of body wood and fretboard materials makes little practical difference when playing in a band situation. Perhaps I could have worded it more clearly.

I am really sorry you don't like my post. I offer a sincere apology and hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.
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Concider yourself forgiven, but don't let me catch you doing it again! :p
 
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#14
Take your current bass. Fret a note. Closely look and notice the the string sits between the 2 frets and does not touch the wood (unless you are He-man, Master Of The Universe). Can the material itself make a difference on the way the bass resonates? Sure, maybe a tiny bit, but certainly not as much as the body or the rest of the neck wood.
 
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#16
If you're recording, the maple/rosewood debate may just have some meaning, but a good engineer can iron any tonal kinks out even then. If you're gigging, only other bass players with entrenched views on these materials will pay any attention whatsoever.
 
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#20
STROMERO said:
I have a Fender Blacktop bass with a P-Bass neck. I love the tone but I prefer the J-Bass neck. I have a Jazz neck on my Precision. I want to replace the neck on the Blacktop and found a pretty good price on one but the fretboard is maple. I know the purported differences in tone between rosewood and maple.

Has anyone ever switched and how noticeable was the change? I think the maple might complement the humbuckers on the Blacktop. Any ideas? I know it's subjective and I won't know unless I try. Just looking for experiences.
Click to expand...

No sonic difference whatsoever, unless the placebo effect sways you significantly.

It will look different though, as long as your vision is in full working order.
 
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