I have a theory about maple fingerboards- while maybe not as warm as rosewood, it allows the tone of the bass to "breathe" more. Thus, allowing the more subtle nuances of the bass to come through. It can always be dulled down by turning the tone knob down. Thoughts?
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I have a theory about maple fingerboards
- Thread starter jazzbass1967
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I think it's cross sensing. It's lighter and therefore registers "brighter." I doubt anyone can tell the difference blindfolded if the bass were exactly the same except for the fingerboard.
Now, ebony, graphite or ebonol -- THAT feels different. Sounds sharper.
Now, ebony, graphite or ebonol -- THAT feels different. Sounds sharper.
Concerning fretted basses: Can there be a tonal difference if the strings don't make contact with the wood?
Ive been saying this for years, but I gave up, as according to TB, Im totally wrong.
I could understand a subtle difference on a fretless bass. I don't know the answer, just curious.
I'm not inclined to believe this. Fist of all there really is no way to come close to testing it. Because of the inherent differences from one bass to another even another of the exact same type simply getting one with a different fingerboard could hardly attributed to any massive shift in tone (if there is any).
If there is a difference, it has to be a very subtle one. The main reasons for adding rosewood fingerboards to guitars are 1) for a small increase in overall strength of the neck; 2) aesthetics.
I've been seriously considering this as well. I believe that every part of a bass can affect the tone but it's a matter of degrees and not nearly as blatant as so many seem to suggest. Nothing can be completely discredited but by the same token nothing can be absolutely proven. Keep in mind none of the wood on a bass ever comes into direct contact with the strings unless the bass is fretless and even then it's only the fingerboard not the body or neck woods.
Put shortly, I think that all wood in a bass affects the tone of a bass but I think that considering the comparatively small quantity of fingerboard wood to the neck or body it doesn't have as large an effect as so many seem to believe.
It's maple a denser wood than rosewood? How would rosewood increase the strength of a bass?
Wood on a bass (and bass neck) resonate. None of it actually changes 'tone'. Your pickup's change tone.
Proof? If not you might want to qualify this with an "I think." somewhere in there
With Jazz Basses, I'd go maple all the way. I have experienced many a J, and I've always found that when they've got maple boards, they are more comfortable to play, look cooler, and I've sometimes noticed a very slight subtle tonal differenece. However, it's so insignificant that it wouldn't really matter to anyone but a tone-nut who probably would be buying some 10K boutique bass anyway.
With a Ric, I'm fine with rosewood (don't really have a choice do I?
). A Ric actually carries a brighter tone than a jazz, and a more, clanky sound, and has rosewood.
When it comes down to it, it's all about hardware (bridges especially), strings, pickups and the hands. The woods only do a little bit of the job. Unless you play upright, in which case you're on the wrong half of the forum my friend.
With a Ric, I'm fine with rosewood (don't really have a choice do I?
). A Ric actually carries a brighter tone than a jazz, and a more, clanky sound, and has rosewood.When it comes down to it, it's all about hardware (bridges especially), strings, pickups and the hands. The woods only do a little bit of the job. Unless you play upright, in which case you're on the wrong half of the forum my friend.
I can't hear a difference, and if you do, I think you're just tricking yourself.
Maple looks so much better imo. thats my theory.
Maple looks so much better imo. thats my theory.
Kwesi, we did a study in 1998 at Miami University on sound waves through solid objects. (wood, metal, plastic, etc...) It is proven somewhere in research papers at the library.(but then again, that's just one study)
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