Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
What's better for slapping?
- Thread starter TurtleBAQ
- Start date
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,943
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Ah thanks. Because I hear Maple every now and then. So I think I'm going to with maple.
I have rosewood, my friend has maple. I tryed both and I can't tell the difference xD
If I were you I would go with the carrots ..and keep it away from your dogs
If I were you I would go with the carrots ..and keep it away from your dogs
The cliche answer IMO would be maple. I have always wanted a maple board for that reason.
But, there is a big (and legitimate) argument that if it is a fretted bass, the fret board wood, has VERY little to do with tone.
So, as previously posted, I would say maple but it really doesn't matter.
But, there is a big (and legitimate) argument that if it is a fretted bass, the fret board wood, has VERY little to do with tone.
So, as previously posted, I would say maple but it really doesn't matter.
I've had more basses that slapped better that had maple boards than rosewood.
But I think that may just be a coincidence.
But I think that may just be a coincidence.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,943
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Come to think of it, me too. Maybe we were right all along and then got all of these crazy talkbassers to make us believe there isn't any difference.
I changed my mind. Maple. Definitely. But don't give me any 'guess which wood' sound tests.I always prefer maple necks.
I just posted this in another thread and it's still on my clip board so here -- straight from Marcus Miller's FAQ on his website:
Maplewood is a good deal harder than the other common woods used for bass necks (ebony, rosewood, etc). The sound from a maple neck is harder than the others. I think my thumbing sound would be significantly different without the maple. For finger style I actually prefer a softer wood (rosewood usually) but, if I'm only using one bass, I can make do with the maple.
Maplewood is a good deal harder than the other common woods used for bass necks (ebony, rosewood, etc). The sound from a maple neck is harder than the others. I think my thumbing sound would be significantly different without the maple. For finger style I actually prefer a softer wood (rosewood usually) but, if I'm only using one bass, I can make do with the maple.
I think ebony is actually a bit harder than maple and would also be a very good choice.
I've never really cared for rosewood personally. I think I can hear a difference between rosewood and harder maple/ebony, but sometimes we hear what we are told we should hear. You would have been better off trusting your ears before you got this information to cloud your perception.
Perhaps you should try out different basses blindfolded and buy the one that gives you the tone you want.
This-
For this-
Monty Python Fish-Slapping Dance - YouTube
But for bass, what ever feels good in your hands. Maple seems to have a better reputation with slap players.
For this-
Monty Python Fish-Slapping Dance - YouTube
But for bass, what ever feels good in your hands. Maple seems to have a better reputation with slap players.
I don't need Marcus Miller to tell me that Maple is brighter and snappier than rosewood, but thanks for the tip.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,614
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
When I have the option to select woods I value feel over tone. That being said, I like maple for slap and pop.
