Rosewood or Maple 'board?

[Kobra11]

Hey guys,

This may be a bit of a dumb question and i apologise in advance if so but i was looking at Fender P basses and just wanted to know what the difference is between a rosewood and a maple board (ive only ever played with rosewoods)

Cheers
Seb

[RhysP]

Lots of people say that a maple board will give a brighter tone than a rosewood one, others will say there's little difference & that the choice is more aesthetic than anything else.

[redstriper]

Try both and go for whichever you prefer.

[Hobbayne]

Some might say maple is harder and gives a brighter sound, but I prefer the look of a R/W board.
[url="http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-guitars/4778-maple-vs-rosewood.html"]http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-guitars/4778-maple-vs-rosewood.html [/url]

[stingrayPete1977]

I think if it's active in reality you can dial in or out the minor difference it makes, if it's a passive bass its maybe more of an issue.

[mart]

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1354380816' post='1885410']
Lots of people say that a maple board will give a brighter tone than a rosewood one, others will say there's little difference & that the choice is more aesthetic than anything else.
[/quote]
This. In 2 lines Rhys has captured the sum total of human knowledge on this question. There really isn't anything to add to it.

[Hutton]

I've got both on p basses. I don't notice the difference. All three of my p basses are a bit different from each other. The two rosewood boards are different from each other. I don't think it makes a difference to be honest.

[Roland Rock]

I don't know about sound, but I work with woods a lot, and maple is softer than rosewood. By a country mile. IME
Play both, and you will like the sound of the one you think looks best ;-)

[JamesBass]

I've played both and liked both, however I find the feel of a maple board a tad nicer and the tone like others say is slightly brighter, it's not a massive difference though! Aesthetically it depends on what you're going for, but play both and see what you think it's personal choice at the end of the day

[RhysP]

[quote name='mart' timestamp='1354382525' post='1885434']
This. In 2 lines Rhys has captured the sum total of human knowledge on this question. There really isn't anything to add to it.
[/quote]

This forum would be a far better place if everyone displayed the intelligence & good taste that you so obviously possess.

[Dingus]

In my own experience , the amount of laquer on the maple board playes a big part in how much difference theur is between maple and rosewood boards . The extra brightness people traditionally associate with maple is actually more to do with the laquer on the board rather than the actual maple itself , so how different the same Fender bass with rosewood and maple boards sound is to a certain extent dictated by what kind of finish is on the board . In the mid to late 1970s Fender basses with maple boards were covered in a thick layer of bulletproof laquer that even coated the frets , and so were much brighter sounding as a result . Nowadays the laquer is much thinner , so there is not as noticable a difference . Choose the one you like the look of the best . They will both sound like a P Bass .

[Dingus]

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1354384539' post='1885460']
This forum would be a far better place if everyone displayed the intelligence & good taste that you so obviously possess.

[/quote]

Rhys is not just an intellegent man , but a good- looking one too .

Happy now ?

Edited December 1, 2012 by Dingus

[Lozz196]

I`ve found that of the Precisions I`ve had with maple boards, they tended to have a snappier sound that the rosewood ones. But that`s at home practice volume levels. In all honesty, in the mix, and recorded, I couldn`t tell the difference. So go with the best player, unless you have a specific colour combo fave - for me, its Oly White/Tort/Rosewwood.

[RhysP]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1354385273' post='1885470']
Rhys is not just an intellegent man , but a good- looking one too .

Happy now ?
[/quote]

Nah, you're just an arse kisser.

[Musicman20]

White/Tort/Rosewood

Sunburst/Tort/Rosewood

Best P combos

[jackers]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1354393737' post='1885593']
White/Tort/Rosewood

Sunburst/Tort/Rosewood

Best P combos
[/quote]

what this man has said is the absolute truth just need to get myself an oly white one and I'm sorted for life

[LukeFRC]

my P has maple and a terrific grindy growl sound due/helped by the more present top end. But - and to be frank the strings/pickup/body wood are all also going to have an effect as much as the neck.
Having said that I would love to know what Rick's Fine's slab P bass build will sound like with the maple laminate fretboard on maple.

[3below]

[quote name='mart' timestamp='1354382525' post='1885434']
This. In 2 lines Rhys has captured the sum total of human knowledge on this question. There really isn't anything to add to it.
[/quote]

One thing to add, in the long term, when you come to a refret, rosewood will be cheaper than maple - no relaquer. Other than that the above applies.

[Lozz196]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1354393737' post='1885593']
White/Tort/Rosewood

Sunburst/Tort/Rosewood

Best P combos
[/quote]

Yep. Add in black/black/maple, and that`s the top 3.

[bubinga5]

i think alot of confusion is caused by this argument... maple vs rosewood... on a PASSIVE bass maple is brighter than rosewood, especially with a laquered board... when you intoduce an active system its almost impossible to tell

[Musicman20]

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1354396555' post='1885619']
i think alot of confusion is caused by this argument... maple vs rosewood... on a PASSIVE bass maple is brighter than rosewood, especially with a laquered board... when you intoduce an active system its almost impossible to tell
[/quote]

You'd be pushed to notice it recorded. It's a bit of a myth.

[StevieD_FenderP2009]

Personally, I prefer maple boards on my basses both on aesthetic and sound. I've found there is a little bit of a difference sound wise as it gives a bit more of a brighter sound where as rosewood gives more a mid pronounced sound. Tested this by swapping the necks over on a Precision Bass I had a couple of years back and did straight recordings with it.

On a last note, nothing can beat a black bound maple fingerboard with black block inlays and a nice amber tint. Phwoar!

[bubinga5]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1354397318' post='1885632']
You'd be pushed to notice it recorded. It's a bit of a myth.
[/quote]maybe recorded.. but i can tell the difference in playing a laquered maple fret board on a jazz to a rosewood fretboard on a jazz.... pickups were different granted but the maple board was a little brighter/harsher/aggressive.. a myth..? maybe it was the pickups...

[lettsguitars]

Laquer makes a big difference. Maple looks better than rosewood to most people, but doesn't hold frets as well. Rosewood does a better job, but the winner for looks, tone and function has to be ebony.

[Kobra11]

WOW! lots of input from you guys thanks! I was thinking of getting a rosewood 'board (stick to what i know ) but i do like the look of a maple (especially the candy apple red with black scratchplate )