I've always preferred a rosewood board, no tonal reason, just prefer the look.
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Rosewood vs maple or vice versa and why
- Thread starter Willie5String
- Start date
I like how maple fretboards look, but i almost always prefer rosewood or something dark. Any maple fretboard instrument I've played has a weird plunkiness on the high end that I'm not stoked about.
(maybe it's just me
)
(maybe it's just me
)
Of your two options I gotta go with rosewood but I'll always go with ebony if it's my choice.
I like both but on a Fender or similar I like the look of maple. I also developed a thing for black basses with maple necks because I look so good with them
Statements like these require a pic !!I like both but on a Fender or similar I like the look of maple. I also developed a thing for black basses with maple necks because I look so good with them
It doesn't matter to me. Both rosewood and maple fret boards are beautiful. Sometimes I think that I like maple better and then on a different day, I think I like rosewood better.
One issue that I have with maple is that sometimes, the clear finish on the fret board covers up nearly half of the frets!
One issue that I have with maple is that sometimes, the clear finish on the fret board covers up nearly half of the frets!
Playability? Couldn't care less.
Appearance? Whatever works with the over all presentation.
Appearance? Whatever works with the over all presentation.
Maple fretboard, because lacquered neck is more stabile during weather/humidity changes. Sound difference is small and both look fine to me. But I prefer more stabile neck.
Looks-wise, it doesn't much matter if that look works with the rest of the axe.
I'd prefer to have a different wood for the fingerboard structurally, especially older or new basses where they spend the money for a full 1/4" fingerboard. Rosewood is fine, but I prefer ebony when rarely offered as it's just so damn strong, but any of the darker woods I look at as 'back up' for the truss rods. I think I can hear a difference, but who really knows. But then on modern instruments with 2-way rods and added carbon or metal rods, I guess that tends to cancel my feeling out, but then again there's lots of necks that aren't equipped that way.
I'd prefer to have a different wood for the fingerboard structurally, especially older or new basses where they spend the money for a full 1/4" fingerboard. Rosewood is fine, but I prefer ebony when rarely offered as it's just so damn strong, but any of the darker woods I look at as 'back up' for the truss rods. I think I can hear a difference, but who really knows. But then on modern instruments with 2-way rods and added carbon or metal rods, I guess that tends to cancel my feeling out, but then again there's lots of necks that aren't equipped that way.
Either, as long as it works aesthetically with the instrument. I need contrast. For example, to me, a natural bass without a pickguard needs a rosewood fretboard.
I have both, and all but one are rosewood. My longest-tenured bass is the maple one now. And I have one on order that will be maple.
I have both, and all but one are rosewood. My longest-tenured bass is the maple one now. And I have one on order that will be maple.
Prefer maple and ebony, not a huge fan of rosewood, but it's all good if it's well-oiled and has a uniformly dark look.
I've never owned a maple fingerboard bass, sadly. Yet I definitely prefer the "spanky" quality compared to rosewood, of the ones I have. Rosewood is just fine and dandy, though!
I usually prefer rosewood for looks and for not having to refinish the neck after a re-fret. (Not that I've ever actually done that yet…)
That said, I do like a good old-school 1-piece maple neck.
That said, I do like a good old-school 1-piece maple neck.
If I have to choose - maple, because I have an easier time "reading the neck" on a gig.
Looks - depends on the bass. Maybe a small preference towards maple but I do find rosewood appealing as well.
Feel - despite the fact that our hands never actually touch the fretboard, rosewood. Fretting always seems to feel softer, but I'm sure that psychological.
Tonally - I'm not convinced there's a discernible difference once you're amped up but I have seemed to prefer maple necked basses more over the years.
Looks - depends on the bass. Maybe a small preference towards maple but I do find rosewood appealing as well.
Feel - despite the fact that our hands never actually touch the fretboard, rosewood. Fretting always seems to feel softer, but I'm sure that psychological.
Tonally - I'm not convinced there's a discernible difference once you're amped up but I have seemed to prefer maple necked basses more over the years.
I like both but it depends. I prefer a rosewood fretboard on my Jazz bass but I like P basses either way.
My P has a rosewood fretboard but I'd like to have one with a maple fretboard, too. There's a recognizable difference in tone and attack between the two but I most appreciate or prefer the variations expressed on a P basses.
My P has a rosewood fretboard but I'd like to have one with a maple fretboard, too. There's a recognizable difference in tone and attack between the two but I most appreciate or prefer the variations expressed on a P basses.
Maple if it has block mother of pearl or abalone inlays. Not a fan of maple with black dots.
