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Maple vs. Rosewood fretboard

#83
I would guess you may see more maple with big touring bands because its easier to keep clean. Just my theory. There isn't going to be a tone difference in a high volume rock or metal band. Maybe an acoustic show but to me there isn't a noticeable difference. Strings and pickups are what matter with tone, not including amps and effects.

How can you have a rum and coke with Pepsi?
 
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#85
There are so many other variables on a given bass to contend with that it'd be hard to simply point to the fretboard regarding a specific tonal difference since you can't do a real apples-to-apples comparison, even if you're comparing two different necks on the same instrument. [shrug]

Having said that, I own basses with both kinds of fretboards and haven't had any problems getting the sounds I want through either. The instruments with maple boards do sound a little brighter to me and feel a little less forgiving of bad technique, but I can't say for sure whether that's real or entirely my imagination. Get whatever lights your fire the hottest.
 
#86
I've played Ebony, rosewood & maple - I love the look of Ebony & rosewood - However, I always seem to get the tone I want on a Maple neck. I have a MIA precision and just added a modern player Jaguar - the sound & feel seems to be very similar - I also own a specter legend, epi thunderbird and Martin B1 - But they just don't sound like my precision - the jaguar is strung with d'adario chromes and that sound is just about perfect (IMO). Try different basses on your rig or similar rigs, see what 'you' like best and go with it.
 
#87
As a new player, always remember these things:

  • Maple necks sound bright, rosewood necks sound dark
  • 15" speakers have more bass than 10" speakers
  • Tube watts are louder than solid state watts
  • Really heavy basses sound better
  • Neck through basses always have more sustain
  • The check is in the mail
They are all equally true. And debated regularly and ad nauseum on TB. :D
 
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#90
People on a mission can talk themselves into believing anything.

The difference in tone between maple and rosewood is largely negligible and is the source of many urban legends. Once in awhile you'll hear a difference, but most of the time you won't, especially at roaring loud stage volumes. All instruments come together differently, even when they are made of similar components.

What matter most in any instrument are the level of craftsmanship and the quality of the materials.
 
#95
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Personally I like the look of rosewood. I like it's open grain and the contrast it has to my oly white jazz bass. Throughout the year I do my own setups when necessary. Once a year I'll strip it down, clean everything, and oil the neck. Rosewood requires a little more involvement with cleaning. Being open grain your finger cheese is going to get in there. It's going to build up on the surface as well. I find it easiest to take a little "simple green" and a nylon brush to it. Takes it off really easily. Maple, you really just need some naptha (I use ronsonal) and it'll clear most the goo off of it. Closed grain or finished necks do not need to be oiled. It'd be a waste of time and money. This topic is one of those ethereal things that pops up on TB, and even though everyone knows what is about to happen we all still participate (myself included). If I spent half as much time playing as reading TB I'd be a vastly better player. lfmn16 hit it right on the head with his list. To me this is how I see it.

  • Neck woods have a chance of colouring the tone, but I personally don't see much difference. Fingerboard material would be verging on negligible to me. This is wrapped up in the "tone wood" debate. Many on TB spend large sums of money on very beautiful figured wood instruments. They definitely are beautifully crafted and I wouldn't put anyone down for buying what they want. A section of them are firmly in the camp that they have specific tonal qualities. The body of an instrument does vibrate when it is played. It's density probably affects the way these strings vibrate to a small degree. I attribute this to people having a ridiculously fine ear for detail like Eric Johnson claiming to be able to hear variations in batteries for pedals. The actual wood of the neck probably has a similar (but smaller) effect on vibration, and the fingerboard having even less than the neck. It's not a question of density affecting the way wood vibrates, more of a question of if a human can even hear it. I cannot. That doesn't mean other can't. All that said, if I had a choice between 2 identical bass' that sounded the same to me I'd pick rosewood because I'm partial to it.

  • Pass. The cab guys know significantly more than me about this and anything I typed would most likely be objectively incorrect.

  • Watts affect power and headroom. Tubes have a tendency to compete with higher rated solid state amps volume wise regularly. There is not an objective Watt/Decibel ratio, and no one can tell you how loud a watt is to my knowledge.

  • Heavy basses are probably denser. This density probably affects the way strings vibrate a little bit. I can't really hear it. There are probably players who can. I can't play anything over 9 pounds without my left arm going numb.

  • I hear 0 difference between neck thru and bolt on that can specifically be attributed only to the way the neck is joined to the body. My guitarist likes Gibson stuff and likes the necks. I prefer bolt on for in case anything happens to my instrument. If the neck gets wrecked, you can get a new neck. If the neck angle needs fixing, you can shim it. If the frets are gone and for some reason a refret just isn't a good option you can get a new neck. No need to worry about all that extra stuff. Bolt a replacement on and keep thumping.
One thing forgotten on this list though. You can't survive without a P-bass on this forum, and no matter how much we all talk about various designs, advancements, etc. the bass that best represents this forum is as follows:
- a Pre-CBS sunburst P-bass with 0 mods (not even adhesive-less stickers like mine. Love it original or find one to love as original)
- pickups covers (but not actually on the bass)
- TORT ONLY
- Flats
- Only honest mojo, but not too much so it looks like you were careless. Yet not so little that it looks like it didn't get played cause it sucked sound wise. Also, be careful to not put mojo on it that looks at all intentional. You'll be ridiculed as a poseur because it affects all of our basses. Some people will string you up by your Calcaneal (Achilles) Tendon for it.
 
#96
I always felt that 'unfinished' woods , rose / ebony / etc ... are a bit easier to maintain without doing any damage ... !? most maple necks have some kind of clear coat , which is easy to clean unless it gets worn thru or damaged , then it's really hard to clean ...

like everyone says ... maple-brighter , rose-darker ...
 

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