Rosewood vs Maple

[David Jayne]

Funny thing about this debate: most would probably say that the harder wood would give a brighter sound. And many, if not most, would say that maple is harder than rosewood.
And they'd be wrong-rosewood is a lot harder than maple.

 

[mongo2]

Funny thing about this debate: most would probably say that the harder wood would give a brighter sound. And many, if not most, would say that maple is harder than rosewood.
And they'd be wrong-rosewood is a lot harder than maple.

+1

 

[MarkusBass]

Funny thing about this debate: most would probably say that the harder wood would give a brighter sound. And many, if not most, would say that maple is harder than rosewood.
And they'd be wrong-rosewood is a lot harder than maple.

+2

I'm thinking that is why a lot of maple board have a finish on them, right?

 

[Ephminus]

Don't mind the vultures.....

To some people this is a new topic....

In my experience maple has a brighter and more punchy sound compared to rosewood that has a dark and rounded tone.
It also seems that the maple gives a little more sustain to the notes.

I own five rosewood necks and two maple necks with another maple on it's way as we speak.

 

[Ephminus]

Oh yeah.....

Anyone else notice that maple seems to feel as though the fretted notes seem to float on the neck opposed to rosewood giving the sensation of digging in?

Just an observation.

 

[BigSpikeBass]

While not exactly on topic- I saw a bit on Vic Firth drumsticks over the weekend where they actually have a machine that sorts the sticks based on their pitch- and those don't always come from the same piece of wood, as the density of grain and moisture content can vary from piece to piece. If it happens with drumsticks you know it has to happen to bass components (bodies, necks, fingerboards, etc.)

I recently saw a video of the drum tech of a big time drummer weighing the sticks on a digital scale and tossing the sticks that were not "x"

most reed players will tell you there's only 2 or 3 good reeds in a box of 10

glad i don't have similar issues with strings

 

[mongo2]

In my experience maple has a brighter and more punchy sound compared to rosewood that has a dark and rounded tone.
It also seems that the maple gives a little more sustain to the notes.

I own five rosewood necks and two maple necks with another maple on it's way as we speak.

That may be your experience but be very careful of assuming there are sweeping generalities that can be based on the small sample of necks you have.

 

[Ephminus]

That may be your experience but be very careful of assuming there are sweeping generalities that can be based on the small sample of necks you have.

I can only truthfully speak about my own personal experience, thus I can make this claim.


...and furthermore, should you assume that these are the only maple necks I've ever played.
I think not.

 

[mongo2]

I can only truthfully speak about my own personal experience, thus I can make this claim.


...and furthermore, should you assume that these are the only maple necks I've ever played.
I think not.

All we have to go on is what you wrote.

So tell us, how many maple necks have you played?

 

[matrok]

oh come on already

 

[Ephminus]

All we have to go on is what you wrote.

So tell us, how many maple necks have you played?

One million...or less.

 

[mongo2]

One million...or less.

I didn't think I'd get a real answer.

 

[Ephminus]

I didn't think I'd get a real answer.

...am I supposed to keep a written account of everytime I've picked up an instrument at a store just so I can prove my "opinion" on a internet forum?

Kind of like asking, "How many yellow chairs have you sat in?"

How many maple fretboards have I owned?
That I can answer.

I currently own an EB Stingray and a Fender Jazz.
In the past I've owned a Fender Precision, Fender Stratocaster, & an Ibanez RG550.

Here are some I've tried and I want to own at some point.
Ibanez ATK
Schecter 004
ESP Vintage-4

 

[dhagler]

I like this thread!

But it sounds to me that, with all the variables present in determining sound, and the relative inability to truly a/b the different necks while holding all other variables equal, the answer will be subjective at best. Especially when playing a bass from the manufacturer

But....

if you could build a bass, or have a bass built, and you had your choice of necks, which would you choose, and why?

Um....does anyone care to answer my question?

 

[cnltb]

I prefer rosewood...I'm used to it.

 

[mongo2]

...am I supposed to keep a written account of everytime I've picked up an instrument at a store just so I can prove my "opinion" on a internet forum?

Kind of like asking, "How many yellow chairs have you sat in?"

You posted:

...and furthermore, should you assume that these are the only maple necks I've ever played.
I think not.

Which is why I asked how many you played. Don't blame me if you didn't want that question asked.

I like this thread!

But it sounds to me that, with all the variables present in determining sound, and the relative inability to truly a/b the different necks while holding all other variables equal, the answer will be subjective at best. Especially when playing a bass from the manufacturer

But....

if you could build a bass, or have a bass built, and you had your choice of necks, which would you choose, and why?

My experience from owning, repairing, building, and playing many instruments is that there is no specific tone that can consistently, reliably, predictably, or definitively be attributed to a maple or rosewood fingerboard.

For that reason I treat an instrument as a whole that either sounds "good" to me or it doesn't. When building I've used many different combinations of neck, fingerboard and body materials.

 

[dhagler]

You posted:
My experience from owning, repairing, building, and playing many instruments is that there is no specific tone that can consistently, reliably, predictably, or definitively be attributed to a maple or rosewood fingerboard.

For that reason I treat an instrument as a whole that either sounds "good" to me or it doesn't. When building I've used many different combinations of neck, fingerboard and body materials.

Thanks, mongo.