Gav...what year did Ernie Ball quit using birdseye?

[flywheel]

Any idea what year EB decided to quit using birdseye maple for their necks? I just picked up a new Stingray off Ebay (not in my hands yet) that has the newer '96 and past style bridge with a beautiful birdseye maple neck and fretboard. I consider myself lucky b/c EB has discontinued birdseye (unless they are using it in special orders) for their necks. I read somewhere that they didn't feel it was as strong as the maple they're using these days. IMO they using it b/c birdseye is getting more and more expensive!

Anyway, I was just curious when they stopped production on the b-eye maple. I think my new bass is a '98 or '99 but I'll find out when I get her. I really like the look of the newer style bridge that they're using but I much prefer b-eye to the newer maple look...so I got the best of both worlds, I guess!

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

congrats on the Bass! looking good.

Re birds eye.....could be wrong but I thought they just used the maple stock they happened to have at any given time....Derek will know for sure.

 

[Masamax]

I never liked birdseye. Too busy for my tastes.

 

[Derek]

We still get a good supply of birdseye in from our wood supplier. Sometimes its abundant sometimes not. I have seen some beautiful birdseye necks coming out of the factory this past year.

Thanks

Derek