• Ernie Ball
  • MusicMan
  • Sterling by MusicMan

Do you prefer maple or RW for the 25th? Why?

roburado

roburado

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 18, 2005
Messages
6,089
Location
Commerce, MI
Do you prefer maple or RW for the 25th? Why? I'm still sitting on the fence on this issue.

I'm trying to decide which one I like better on the 25th, because I'm going to probably place an order for one in the next few days.

Honestly, I could just go into GC and try either one. Frankly, I don't really want to do that, because they have those suckers hanging way up at the top of the wall. I don't want to have some salesman climb up the 25-30 feet to get me two guitars that I'm not going to buy from him. Why am I not going to buy from him? Well, I'm sure he'll pressure the crap out of me to buy one, and I'm sure his price isn't going to beat Pete DuBaldo's quotes to me. Plus, I worry that they won't be able to locate the appropriate case--as has been the problem in the past when I went in there to buy a 30th Ann StingRay. So, I don't really want to waste his time or mine.

So, I just want to ask y'all what you think. At this point, I'm leaning towards maple mostly to be able to see the birdseye on both sides of the neck, but sometimes, I think that rosewood looks pretty damn good, especially with the matching headstock.

With regards to tone and feel, well...I don't know. Have any of you played both? What do you like and why? Are you really hearing a difference? Are you feeling a difference between the two?
 
Stratty316

Stratty316

Well-known member
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
2,485
Location
Sin City!!!
I agree, go to guitar center and try them out. That is what they are there for Afterall. Also, if you fall in love with one of their 25ths they do negotiate on price and may get close to or beat other dealers prices. It's the knowing that other people have had the chance to abuse my new $2k+ guitar that bugs the heck outta me about GC.

And that 25th with a RW neck sitting in Pete's store is beautiful. Better pick it up before I do... I need to win the Lotto so I can just purchase every ball I want in one shot... That will cure GAS for sure! Until the next thing comes out...
 
T

tornandfrayed

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 26, 2009
Messages
323
Location
BENTON IL
Hey rob, i have a 25th with a maple board, the only down side that i can see is the finger board stain that i get with maple on such a beautiful guitar, where as on as on a tele or strat that might look good. If i were to get another one i would go with rosewood, play both and go with your gut you wont be disapointed either way!!
 
bkrumme

bkrumme

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 3, 2009
Messages
2,926
Location
United States
I love mine (maple board, flame top, trem) but I really can't state a preference. I haven't played one with a rosewood board, or a hardtail. When I got mine, I was trying to do something uncharacteristic of me. I typically gravitate toward quilt tops and rosewood fretboards, so I did the opposite. I think it paid off since I love my 25th. I keep choosing it over my JP6.

Aesthetically I think I like maple better (probably because that's what mine is), but frankly all of the 25ths I've seen have looked amazing. The pieces coming out of SLO lately have had some of the most amazing tops and necks I've ever seen.

Tone-wise I can't make a comparison due the afformentioned lack of experience with a rosewood boarded 25th. Though I suspect the difference is very minimal since the only change is the fretboard material. The main pieces which will affect your tone are the body material (and the chambering/tone block) and pickups anyway.
 
slucas

slucas

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 10, 2006
Messages
500
Location
IL
I think the RW looks far better with the body finish and it doesn't show the dirt. And what is more fun than putting EB fretboard conditioner on after cleaning and watching it do it's magic bringing it to a nice dark moist place, woohoo. Besides, birdseye is overrated :p. Besides, you'll always have the back of the neck anyway.
 
Last edited:
Coffeemug

Coffeemug

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 30, 2008
Messages
1,457
Location
K-Town, Germany
I wouldn't be able to decide what looks or sounds best, they're all so special and stunning. All I can say is that I couldn't be more happy with mine (rw board, flame, trem).
 
K

Kaloyan

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Messages
274
Location
Glenview, IL
Here's my perspective:

I've played it many times (even when Big Poppa and Petrucci were in Chicago 3 mos ago) and I really appreciate the design this time, the chambered cameras and the mahogany blocks ... all the concepts that they've applied to it but I always found it too 'harsh', allow me to express my opinion :), but maple neck give quite a bit of a spark to your tone which in combination with the pickups and maple top really contributes for that ummmm high-mid presence. If that's what you appreciate in your instrument then that's the way to go. Now - I'd personally consider a rosewood neck for a respectful variation of warm and 'rounded' tones, tight lows and mellow acoustics and enough spark (pickups). I am not even sure whether that option is available but if it is it would be a significant tonal versatility/challenge and yet aesthetically accomplished beauty (assuming the red colour). Either way you'd be VERY HAPPY with it! Good luck.
 
Sweat

Sweat

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 31, 2006
Messages
7,356
Location
Texas Finally!
Cant go wrong either way both are awesome, used to be a rosewood all the way but now like either, if you get quilt then maple, if flame get rosewood, thats from a visual perspective, not much difference in tone to me.
 
Jimmyb

Jimmyb

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 17, 2005
Messages
2,562
Location
Cheshire, UK
Personally, I like the look of the rosewood boards on the 25th. My 20th has a r/w board as well, which I like on that guitar, but on the Sport's I prefer the maple boards.
 
bkrumme

bkrumme

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 3, 2009
Messages
2,926
Location
United States
PeteDuBaldo said:
Buy one of each!
Click to expand...

I thought about it, but won't have the funds before the order cutoff date.

phatduckk said:
ill buy a RW board reflex :)
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly! Plus, there will be more colors than Venetian Redburst. I love the red, but 2 of the same color isn't my style. I'm hoping the Reflex will be available with the game changer and in roasted maple.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom