Maple or Rosewood??

[chadds]

Ok I am about to probably get blasted but here is my opininion.

I honestly think that fretboards most of the time don't make a huge difference on how a bass sounds.

But let me clarify. The reason why I say most of the time has to do with how thick the fretboard wood is. I find that on some fender style instruments the fretboards are way to thin to compete with the rest impact the (usually) maple has.

That said, I have put together two parts basses with one piece maple necks and I have been playing a bass with a (what I consider thick) rosewood fretboard for almost 10 years and also played many rosewood fretboard equipped basses. I was only able to tell the difference in rather loud volumes and it it didn't had to do with the tone as much as it had to do with the attack and especially the emphasis on the overtones.

So in conclusion I prefer each wood for certain stuff but for what I currently mostly do(rock orientated stuff) I feel the maple boards are more suitable.

All in all if you can't hear and feel any difference well it doesn't matter in your case that much. However there is a pretty clear disadvantage when to comes to rosewood over maple. Rosewood demands more care due to its open pore nature and due to the fact maple is finished however it is not a difficult process to learn.

Glad you have the courage.
Poster: "I went to the museum today. I had an excellent experience viewing art.
Respondent: "No you didn't!"

 

[mazareth]

I like the way rosewood feels under my fingers. I don't like the slick feel of a finished fretboard, which is why I don't like maple fretboards.

While there may be a difference in sound, I don't think it's very noticeable in a full band setting.

 

[phillybass101]

I am totally shallow. I think maple boards just look prettier and provide a nice contrast or uniformity to the bass body. I am waiting on shipment of a new Brubaker Brute Single cut. While I am excited about getting it, I would be lying if I didn't say I'm disappointed that they don't come with maple boards. I had to settle for the rosewoo board. I've heard basses with rosewood board that sound just as good if not better than one with a maple board. I am really partial to maple boards with white MOP Bllock inlays. They just look so pretty. I am also buying a fretless neck with an ebony board for a freless project. In this case only am I not disappointed as rosewood and ebony boards make for better fretless basses.