There's probably differences, likely distinct but, I ain't measuring the whatever units nor acquiring the tools to measure that stuff out, and I'm of no mind to spend time trying to figure the differences myself unless it's incredibly distinct.
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Maple vs. Rosewood Boards, What’s the Real Difference to You?
- Thread starter Jamiex
- Start date
Eric Clapton on the difference between maple and rosewood:
"What I would always look for on a Strat was a maple neck that had been worn out, I just thought if it had all those kind of worn out patches it meant that it had been well favoured.
"I think I had played a rosewood on a Jaguar or Jazzmaster in the Yardbirds; I didn't like the feel of it, it felt resistant to bending, it felt like the grain was quite prominent on a rosewood, there was a definite feel to it, it felt like you were going across the grain if you tried to bend a string.
[Looks down at the maple-fretboard Strat on his lap]
"And I never that with this – this was just like almost marble or something, it was so smooth."
Strong opinion on feel, no mention of tone. (Also no mention of all the Gibsons he played after leaving the Yardbirds
)
"What I would always look for on a Strat was a maple neck that had been worn out, I just thought if it had all those kind of worn out patches it meant that it had been well favoured.
"I think I had played a rosewood on a Jaguar or Jazzmaster in the Yardbirds; I didn't like the feel of it, it felt resistant to bending, it felt like the grain was quite prominent on a rosewood, there was a definite feel to it, it felt like you were going across the grain if you tried to bend a string.
[Looks down at the maple-fretboard Strat on his lap]
"And I never that with this – this was just like almost marble or something, it was so smooth."
Strong opinion on feel, no mention of tone. (Also no mention of all the Gibsons he played after leaving the Yardbirds
)
If you're playing an active bass, a Duracell battery sounds completely different than an Energizer battery..... 
I don't know if this has come up, but as the owner of a maple neck '75 Precision bass, I think I'd skew toward rosewood in almost every case. I don't think there's any real sonic difference and from what I understand, trying re-fret a maple board is much harder to do well relative to rosewood. My Precision probably needs a re-fret and it's daunting getting it done, simply because of how maple boards are finished. It's a long term type of problem but something to consider.
^^ SS fret should mean it'll never be a problem, if it's a new bass, or not again if it's a refret.
The biggest difference to me is maple finger boards cost $100-150 more to refret because they need to be refinished.
There’s a German guy on YouTube who did a very good video using the same bass, same strings, same passages played, but with different necks. One maple board, one rosewood. It confirmed the conclusion that I came to myself, which also matches the prevailing opinion. Maple has a slightly snappier attack with a less interesting follow up which is really good for fast funky stuff. Rosewood is less snappy and warmer with a bit of a more complex bloom.
Feel wise I somehow feel I get some stiction under my fretting fingers with maple due to the gloss coating. Rosewood boards are really easy to care for. The only bass I had for a 15 year period has grooves worn through my surface of the rosewood that you really have to look for, but which would look terrible and dirty on a maple board
Feel wise I somehow feel I get some stiction under my fretting fingers with maple due to the gloss coating. Rosewood boards are really easy to care for. The only bass I had for a 15 year period has grooves worn through my surface of the rosewood that you really have to look for, but which would look terrible and dirty on a maple board
Don't get the forum started on RayoVac batteries. Tone minerals and all that.If you're playing an active bass, a Duracell battery sounds completely different than an Energizer battery.....
I've seen videos where it apparently made no difference. So that's pretty inconclusive.There’s a German guy on YouTube who did a very good video using the same bass, same strings, same passages played, but with different necks. One maple board, one rosewood. It confirmed the conclusion that I came to myself, which also matches the prevailing opinion. Maple has a slightly snappier attack with a less interesting follow up which is really good for fast funky stuff. Rosewood is less snappy and warmer with a bit of a more complex bloom.
Feel wise I somehow feel I get some stiction under my fretting fingers with maple due to the gloss coating. Rosewood boards are really easy to care for. The only bass I had for a 15 year period has grooves worn through my surface of the rosewood that you really have to look for, but which would look terrible and dirty on a maple board
Here's the difference.
Maple is easier to see in low light club situations.
While rosewood can literally change to mono colored making it harder to see. Especially when flooded with green or blue lighting.
Maple necks with certain colored dots can cause the dots to become transparent and make it difficult to find your fret.
That's about it.
Maple is easier to see in low light club situations.
While rosewood can literally change to mono colored making it harder to see. Especially when flooded with green or blue lighting.
Maple necks with certain colored dots can cause the dots to become transparent and make it difficult to find your fret.
That's about it.
I used to think that I strongly prefer ebony and rosewood, and now my two basses are maple and pau ferro, and they are great. I basically don't think it matters what the species of wood is, as long as the finish feels good and looks good to you.
On a fretted bass, I think there's little difference in all measurements other than looks.
The only minor difference I've noted in decades is if the fret wires are small enough where the fretted note actually presses on wood, maple seems easier to bend or trem. On necks with taller frets, the fingerboard wood makes little to no difference to me.
I've owned approximately 65 instruments to date.
The only minor difference I've noted in decades is if the fret wires are small enough where the fretted note actually presses on wood, maple seems easier to bend or trem. On necks with taller frets, the fingerboard wood makes little to no difference to me.
I've owned approximately 65 instruments to date.
There’s a German guy on YouTube who did a very good video using the same bass, same strings, same passages played, but with different necks. One maple board, one rosewood. It confirmed the conclusion that I came to myself, which also matches the prevailing opinion.
The two necks were built from identical base woods? Was the maple board applied or part of the base neck? Did they have identical fret wires, nuts, and tuners?
Not trying to be a PITA, just pointing out that even that demo has uncontrolled variables.
I say play the bass you like, as every part of it comprises a system. Don't fret over components.
Gotta do whatever the guitar player likes. Don’t want to make him mad or he’ll stop dating my wife.
Can’t believe 4 pages in people don’t know this is a troll thread.
