Interesting take on the "Fingerboard Wars"

**AnthonyD** · 03-03-2007, 08:22 AM

Just came across this from the Alembic website as a result of a Google search for "Pau Ferro care"...

On a fretted... instrument, the fingerboard wood is not a huge factor in the tone produced, since the notes are created when you touch the string to a fret. You are free to consider only practical or aesthetic ideals when selecting your fingerboard...

The "maple vs. rosewood" thing always comes-up and goes 'round but I do not recall the above point ever being made or debated - thought it was interesting perspective...

For me, it's rosewood - and it's purely aesthetic.

BTW - learned that 100% lemon oil is recommended for Pau Ferro and I am planning a little TLC for the fretless Bongo later today!

**slucas** · 03-03-2007, 09:05 AM

I believe a certain forum sage and Bongo connoissuer has already made reference to the statement quoted above regarding fretted boards

**PocketGroove82** · 03-03-2007, 09:52 AM

I find the Alembic statement to be pretty ignorant considering the pricing on their basses. You would think they would understand the natural, tonal differences between different woods.

Do they even use maple on their fretboards?
Also, I wonder if they might ever decide to make a bass that doesn't have the worst god awful neck dive in the business.

**AnthonyD** · 03-03-2007, 10:33 AM

My guess is the fretboard is a relatively small percentage of the overall make-up of the instrument - the body and neck have more of an impact to the overall tone.

Then, of course, there's those there tone-blocks too!

They did say the fretboard material is more of a factor in a fretless instrument, in that there is direct contact with the wood.

And no, I didn't see no maple being offered...

**tkarter** · 03-03-2007, 10:36 AM

How about if it says Bongo on the head stock? That makes the most difference in tone I ever heard.

tk

**eddybomb** · 03-03-2007, 10:40 AM

The Alembic statement didn't say fingerboard wood didn't make ANY difference in the tone...just that it was not a huge factor. Besides, what does it matter what they say, do, or how they build their basses? Does it effect Musicman Basses in any way? No. This is the EBMM Forum, so other bass brands shouldn't be discussed, or have their shortcomings pointed out here. Just enjoy the fruits of BP's labor of love and be happy with your choice of musical instruments.

**syciprider** · 03-03-2007, 12:09 PM

Yes... Sir!

**Psychicpet** · 03-03-2007, 12:14 PM

wow.... that statement does seem to be highly 'uninformed' for a company like Alembic. I'll agree that it isn't as huge an issue as what the neck or body are made from but it still does contribute considerably to the tone.

hmmm.

**kompressaur** · 03-03-2007, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by tkarter

How about if it says Bongo on the head stock? That makes the most difference in tone I ever heard.

tk

+1

Komp

**Rano Bass** · 03-03-2007, 02:58 PM

I've tried Stingrays with rosewood and with maple boards, and it doesn't make that much of a difference.
I can identify the sound of a Musicman bass on recordings but it's imposible to tell if it has a rosewood or a maple board just from hearing it.
Most of the difference is visual to me.

**slucas** · 03-03-2007, 04:30 PM

Most of the difference is visual to me.

Me too. But this debate will go on forever

**NoFrets80** · 03-03-2007, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by adelucia

BTW - learned that 100% lemon oil is recommended for Pau Ferro and I am planning a little TLC for the fretless Bongo later today!

+1 on the lemon oil... I had to revive the fingerboard on my newest fretless SUB because it was so dry... took 3 treatments to get it looking normal.

**asianjeff** · 03-03-2007, 05:26 PM

should you rub lemon oil or anything on a fretted rosewood board?

**AnthonyD** · 03-03-2007, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by eddybomb

The Alembic statement didn't say fingerboard wood didn't make ANY difference in the tone...just that it was not a huge factor. Besides, what does it matter what they say, do, or how they build their basses? Does it effect Musicman Basses in any way? No. This is the EBMM Forum, so other bass brands shouldn't be discussed, or have their shortcomings pointed out here. Just enjoy the fruits of BP's labor of love and be happy with your choice of musical instruments.

This has nothing to do with Alembic - and was not brought up for comparison. I was simply quoting the source of a point of view I had not considered, nor recall being discussed here and thought I'd share...