MAPLE OR ROSEWOOD.. Sorry if this is dumb.

[Nickyzrx]

I'm right now choosing between a maple or a rosewood fingerboard for my 2008 fender american standard precision. There are two problems I'm worried about. The first is the color. I'm pretty much set to the black body but i'm thinking about changing the pickguard.I don't know what color combination(s) will look good.
The second one is more important. The last time I had a precision, I had a maple fingerboard. But the varnish was chipping off after only a few times of playing. I don't know what to do with it and even now I'm worrying about it. I'm not too worried about the sound quality. Both got their advantages and both are great.

Anybody has any suggestions?

And another stupid question. How much does it cost to paint the headstock??

Thank you guys so much..

A new new new newbie..

 

[Flizzy21]

I would go black, black and maple with a p-bass.

and I also would not paint the head.

just my $.02

 

[6Steve6Harris6]

We can't tell you what will look good. That falls on you.

However, I am partial to black/maple, with a black pickguard and cream pickup, ala early 80's Steve Harris.

That was a SHARP looking combo.

 

[Nickyzrx]

That's what I'm thinking about.. But what about the fingerboard problem.? Does anyone have problem about the chipping finish..?

 

[Bobby King]

Soundwise, I like rosewood on a P, maple on a J.

 

[arjune]

You probably won't have to worry about chipping with a new MIA bass. Pretty good stuff, right there.

 

[afroman]

With I black bass I also would do maple fretboard.
Add a black pickguard and you're set. Classy

 

[Nickyzrx]

Last time I was also playing a new MIA bass... And the finish begin to chip just after a week or two..

 

[6Steve6Harris6]

Last time I was also playing a new MIA bass... And the finish begin to chip just after a week or two..

Just for no reason?

 

[Jason Brown]

That chipping issue shouldn't affect a new bass. I'm thinking yours was an anamoly. I've had many newer maple-necked Fenders and I've only gotten through the fingerboard finish once, and that was from five years of playing the snot out of a '57 RI.

Another black/black/maple fan here.

 

[Nickyzrx]

Just for no reason?

I haven't dropped it....It rests in the SKB case almost all the time when I'm not playing it.. I got no idea.. The finish on the edge of the fingerboard and on the fret just chipped...

 

[6Steve6Harris6]

I haven't dropped it....It rests in the SKB case almost all the time when I'm not playing it.. I got no idea.. The finish on the edge of the fingerboard and on the fret just chipped...

Was it exposed to cold weather, then taken inside?

Extreme changes in temperature can check nitrocellulose finishes.

 

[Nickyzrx]

WOOHOO.. You reminded me.. I guess it might be that it stayed out of my house for a while in winter. UPS was supposed to deliver it before I went out of town..but it failed..I guess that's why..

BTW...if it happens again ..what can I do...?

 

[6Steve6Harris6]

WOOHOO.. You reminded me.. I guess it might be that it stayed out of my house for a while in winter. UPS was supposed to deliver it before I went out of town..but it failed..I guess that's why..

BTW...if it happens again ..what can I do...?

That'll do it.

The best thing to do if your bass is left out in the cold, is to bring it inside, in it's case, and let it slowly warm up to room temperature for a few hours.

Extreme temperature changes will seriously crack up a nitro finish.

 

[Jason Brown]

You could drop-fill some superglue or hit it with some lacquer.

 

[Nickyzrx]

OMG..Thank you guys sooooo much....!!

I'm still browsing around for different color options..
My eyes hurt......

Still haven't made up my mind yet..Kinda leaning towards black.black/maple.. But black/black pearloid( tortoise,white pearloid)/rosewood is still lingering around..

It's a big deal..wanna have this bass forever..So it's really a tough decision to make..

AHHHHH....

 

[(b)Assman]

Maple is supposedly more bright than Rosewood. I prefer rosewood since it doesn't have that slippery feel the strings seem to grab more.

 

[Nickyzrx]

BTW...I play tapping a lot.. Dunno which is better for tapping...

 

[excane]

Maple might be a tad brighter for tapping. The differences in sound are small. Don't let someone else convince you one is "bad" and you should choose A over B. The decision is yours.

 

[Nickyzrx]

Thanks dude.. I'm not trying to get convinced though.. It's a hard choice and I know that both of them have their advantages..