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Unique Rosewood Fingerboard

Robert B

Robert B

Somewhere under the rainbow
Jan 21, 2000
1,420
1,249
Rittman, OH, USA
#1
I just bought this Fender 2012 Jazz neck from the Stratosphere on Ebay. I think it's the most uniquely patterned/colored specimen of Indian Rosewood I've ever seen. Looks more like an exotic wood than rosewood! The lighter portions appear almost orange and the striping is very prominent, straight and even. I can't wait to see it in person! :hyper:

(Moderators - I wasn't sure where to put this, please move if appropriate.)
 

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#5
spiritbass said:
It looks like Morado.
Click to expand...

Initially I was turned off by it because I was looking for the darkest rosewood I could find. But the more I looked at it, the more I realized that it was quite beautiful, even if it didn't fit the usual, expected look of Indian Rosewood. If you are familiar with Stratosphere on ebay, they buy new Fenders and then part them out. This came from a 2013 Fender American Standard Jazz, so I think it must be rosewood, and that's how it was described. I think it will look great on my natural ash Fender Precision.
 
#6
There are those who would say that wood has "imperfections" and that it was a low grade of lumber. I disagree, and I think that is a beautiful neck. As various woods become more scarce, we will see more lumber with these previously perceived "imperfections," and I think that's a good thing. I like the variety, and I can't stand the thought that perfectly good lumber has been scraped through the years because it was "imperfect" in it's coloration.
 
#7
WoodyG3 said:
There are those who would say that wood has "imperfections" and that it was a low grade of lumber.
Click to expand...

That's exactly how I initially viewed it. But I found myself going back to look at it again and again because it was so unusual and attractive. The more I tried to keep an open mind, the better it looked. I figure if it looks like exotic wood, but still has the sonic properties of rosewood, it's a winner.

Also, I find the orange/black coloration to be reminiscent of some Brazilian Rosewood I've seen, but I've never seen before on Indian Rosewood. Usually, the lighter stripes on Indian Rosewood are a kind of tan color that looks unattractive to me. All in all, I understand some might not like it, but I personally feel it's a very unique and desirable find.
 
#9
It looks like it may be Pau Ferro and not rosewood, but it's hard to be absolutely certain as both wood varies. I have Pau Ferro on one bass and it looks alot like yours. It's a very nice wood. Pau Ferro is on several models of MIM Jazz basses.

Here's some photo of Pau Ferro from around the web.

Link Removed
 
#10
As you point out, Fender does make some models with a pao ferro fingerboard and I can see the similarity. That would be interesting if it was put on an American Standard Jazz bass by mistake! We'll see what it sounds like. I understand pao ferro is brighter than rosewood.
 
#11
Robert B said:
I just bought this Fender 2012 Jazz neck from the Stratosphere on Ebay. I think it's the most uniquely patterned/colored specimen of Indian Rosewood I've ever seen. Looks more like an exotic wood than rosewood! The lighter portions appear almost orange and the striping is very prominent, straight and even. I can't wait to see it in person! :hyper:

(Moderators - I wasn't sure where to put this, please move if appropriate.)
Click to expand...

Normally I avoid rosewood for tone and appearances on basses, but that is beautiful! It almost looks like wenge!
 
#12
Rosewood IS an exotic wood. It's just not a particularly rare one.

Morado/Pau Ferro is fairly common too. It's also known as Bolivian Rosewood, though it is not actually a rosewood. The most apparent difference between Morado and Indian rosewood that I have seen is that Indian rosewood is more purple-ish, while Morado is more orange-ish.
 

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