Maple vs. Rosewood

Short answer is "yes" with respect to tone, "no" with respect to playability. But you probably want to do a search -- the topic has been covered many, many times.

 

I can see the dirt from dead skin on my maple neck...

 

Sonic tone chambers can compenstate for the differences between the two necks.

 

I'd say use the search function usually, as this topic has been covered multiple times at length. But since it doesn't work right now, I guess another thread about this won't hurt.

I think the common thought here on this topic is that maple fb's have more attack and are brighter sounding, and rosewood sound a bit more warm and mellow sounding.

 

Haha... You guys can't say use the search function! Hahaha

 

I have also noticed that light-colored basses sound brighter, while darker colors tend to sound, well, darker.

But if I close my eyes, they all sound the same, with or without tone chambers.

.

 

Oops, sorry tbass, I didn't really the search wasn't working. But still, you might do well just scrolling backwards through this forum - the topic really is covered a lot and you'll likely bump into a relevant thread pretty quickly.

Not trying to avoid the questions, I just remember that lots of folks (including Roger Sadowsky) participated in the most recent thread on this particular issue.

 

lefty007, that's a generalisation that covers common woods quite accurately from what i know. ebony bucks the rule tho - its extremely dark in colour, and its bright in tone.

 

This has been beat to death, and there's only one answer: if you like the sound of a bass with a maple fingerboard, then that's better.

If you like the sound of a bass that uses a different type of wood or other material for the fingerboard, then THAT's better.

For you.

 

As an "amatuer" who loves the sound of a maple board, I must say it is harder to play accurately as fingering slightly off and you really hear the frets. I still love it. And it might make me a better player eventually.

Gotta try ebony. Plus, you know, BLACK is BEAUTIFUL!

 

i think the differences are pretty minimal. i play both. I think most differences are in the mind.

 

Its not annoying, tbass. I think all questions have their merit here, even if they have been asked before. Topics can be revisited with fresh debate. This topic however has been heavily covered here.

 

Check out: http://www.mtdbass.com/articles/quest_for_tone.pdf

Mike Tobias has a good article on different wood tones for neck, Fretboard, Top Wood, etc. Good Read

 

RRRRUUUUUUUNNNN!!!!!

There was a thread up here some time ago that got pseudo-heated over the topic. I shiver when I think of that happening again!

I think that generally speaking, yes there is a difference. BUT, with all of the variation between multiple pieces of the same wood, it's not so safe to say that.

Re: playability, Maple is generally clear-coated, while Rosewood is bare. Could that make a playability issue? I suppose to some.

 

I like the darker boards myself,smother sound to my ear.