favorite fretboard types

[Drmckool]

so do people prefer maple fretboards or rosewood fretboards and why. i'm just wondering because even though i just bought a really expensive stingray (20th anniversary 5) i'm already thinking of getting a sterling H in whatever limited edition they release next year. so which necks and why.

i'll start by saying i have a maple fretboard on my stingray

 

[Jason Hebert]

Most people will say that maple is brighter and rosewood has more of a warm tone.. I'm sure the tone is different, but it's not night and day IMO. I typically pick the fretboard based more on the color of the bass than anything.

 

[slucas]

I really don't notice difference in tone but think the maple is snappier (almost clangy) compared to rosewood to me. I prefer the look of rosewood in general but it really depends on what the body finish is. Rosewood seems easier to keep clean and I love the look and feel of a rosewood board just after being nourished with the wonder wipe fretboard conditioner. I have both but have to say rosewood is my choice, especially with matching headstocks.

 

[Colin]

I prefer the sound of rosewood

 

[Moose308]

I really dig maple fretboards. The sound difference is not an issue with me. The instrument is a total package, so it would be impossible for me to tell the difference between rosewood and maple (or ebony or pau ferro) fretboards.

I would love (hey, I'm just wishing) to see Bongos available in maple fretboads.

I would really love to see the return of maple unlined fretless as well.

 

[bassmancb]

I prefer the rosewood myself, to me it has a warmer tone than maple.

 

[phatduckk]

i buy whatever looks better w/ the finish i want to get.

maybe rosewood and maple sound different but i can always "deal" with that difference via string choice, setup/action, eq on the bass or eq on the head.

so i get what looks cool to me

 

[AnthonyD]

Rosewood preferred here... Mostly asthetics for me...

 

[asianjeff]

i like rosewood most of the time... like i like pepsi over coke most of the time... though there are times i just crave a good coke.

 

[narcispy]

I don't know which I prefer I have owned both types though my lifetime. I do like the maple for slapping but presently only own the rosewood boards on my basses. I am getting ready to get a stingray and I want to make sure I get one with a maple board.

 

[kerrsedbass]

Hmm, Pau Ferro or Purpleheart? Nah, I just stick with what looks good. I think the body wood and the electronics package make the bass sound the way it does, and the fretboard is just all eye candy. Well it is to me anyway.

 

[KennethB]

I used to be a die hard rosewood freak, but lately I've come to appreciate a maple board. Especially a maple board with nice birdseye like my Silo. But my very favorite is still a pretty dark rosewood board.

 

[saxnbass]

I used to prefer maple, but am no longer too picky. If I have a choice, I'll still go maple.

 

[midopa]

I too like rosewood, but as others have said, I really can't tell the difference. Except with the stratus blue sparkle SR that Travis has right now with maple fretboard. Maybe it's the combo of woods and such, but that bass was especially bright and aggressive it seemed.

 

[Colin]

I really can't tell the difference.

It's really noticeable if you do alot of recording...

 

[KennethB]

True. Regarding tone:

Rosewood: Warm
Maple: Bright

 

[EBMM7181]

I can't really tell any difference in sound, either, so when I choose the fretboard, I choose which one matches the color of my bass best.....

 

[PocketGroove82]

I think a little treble roll-off can tame the slight snappy edge in a maple board, and make the bass sound more like rosewood. So for me it's not that big of a deal, but I have opted to own both maple and rosewood basses because I feel one suits a certain playing style better.

 

[Art and Music]

Lets see...
rosewood, maple or pau ferro for the board; maple, walnut, mohogany, redwood, alder, ash or bubinga body choices, maple, walnut bubinga or graphite for the neck (plus bolt on, set or neck through); flats, rounds, 9's, 10's for strings, active, passive, hot, classic, vintage pickup choices...and a hundred other choices to affect sound.....not to mention what it is plugged into!
I give up, just give me something that sounds good!!!!!!!