Fingerboard poll

[shamus63]

I find the fretboard confusing and use it as little as possable...

 

[ernie1966]

I'm a rosewood man, it just feels softer to the touch for me. Please don't anyone tell me that on the Mohs hardness scale rosewood rates higher than maple.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Pre EB fretli were ebony methinks. I'd imagine that the early EBs were as well.

My understanding is that most pre EB fretless were ebony, with a few rosewood (mine is rosewood)

 

[oldbluebassman]

Of the two, Rosewood, but Carbon Fibre (Graphite) is my real preference.

 

[Father Gino]

My understanding is that most pre EB fretless were ebony, with a few rosewood (mine is rosewood)

It occurs to me that I might not know a piece of rosewood if I tripped over it. I always assumed my Sabre's board was ebony because it's very, very dark, virtually black with no perceivable grain . What's rosewood look like?

 

[Dr. Nick]

I think it depends on the bass...could you imagine an Alembic or a Gibson T-bird with a maple neck? Just wouldn't be kosher

 

[Aussie Mark]

It occurs to me that I might not know a piece of rosewood if I tripped over it. I always assumed my Sabre's board was ebony because it's very, very dark, virtually black with no perceivable grain . What's rosewood look like?

What you've described sounds like ebony. Rosewood has a more open grain, and is rarely black.

Here's examples of rosewood -

And here's ebony -

 

[hankSRay]

I feel more comfortable on maple, but I think rosewood looks way cooler on basses with matching headstocks.

 

[midopa]

Like others have said, they sound the same to me. It just depends on the overall look of the bass. If you're not satisfied with your bass, feel free to send it to me - I'll take care of it.

 

[shamus63]

There's a definite difference in tone between the two:

Rosewood = softer wood = warmer tone

Maple = just the opposite

 

[Father Gino]

What you've described sounds like ebony. Rosewood has a more open grain, and is rarely black.

Thanks for the pics. Mine's most definitely ebony.

 

[maddog]

I think it depends on the bass...could you imagine an Alembic or a Gibson T-bird with a maple neck? Just wouldn't be kosher

Depends on how you kill 'em. I'd rather eat Hodges, sir. (Python reference, )

 

[Samingo]

There's a definite difference in tone between the two:

Rosewood = softer wood = warmer tone

Maple = just the opposite

after aquiring myself a maple boarded Ray, I full heartedly agree with this.

It may not make a huge difference for those who don't play with a very aggressive attack/slap/pop/anything along those lines, but I've noticed a Huge difference in slap tone and agressive attack.

It's for that very reason that I couldn't choose, it's best to have both ends of the spectrum. Though if I had to, I'd probably go with maple, I'm a sucker for aggressive tone.

 

[Alvabass]

Although it's been said that maple has brighter sound qualities than rosewood (I like that), I think that the difference isn't that big. Instead, light-colored woods' looks isn't my favorite. Ebony is by far the best for me, but for the poll I chose rosewood.

 

[Dr. Nick]

Depends on how you kill 'em. I'd rather eat Hodges, sir. (Python reference, )

From Audience: "Let's have something DECENT, then?" LOL!

That's right, isn't it? My knowledge of Judaic dietary law is not what it used to be!

 

[tkarter]

Rosewood all the way for me.


tk

 

[marleaux-user]

http://www.hearnehardwoods.com/inventory.html

enjoy

 

[Psycho Ward]

Lots of pretty wood there, but no morningwood though.

 

[shamus63]

There's a certain what I like to call "marble-like" tone that R&B bassists get when they use a maple fretboard (e.q.'d just right). It's pretty cool!

 

[freedok]

Hmmmm

I am a die hard rosewood fan but if I had my choice, black ebony all the way. Perhaps we can encourage MM to give the ebony a try. It may be a matter of economics though. Me thinks that ebony is a wee bit more spensive than rosewood and certainly maple.