Interesting take on the "Fingerboard Wars"

[AnthonyD]

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]

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

 

[PocketGroove82]

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]

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]

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

tk

 

[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.

 

[syciprider]

Yes... Sir!

 

[Psychicpet]

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]

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]

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]

Most of the difference is visual to me.

Me too. But this debate will go on forever

 

[NoFrets80]

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]

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

 

[AnthonyD]

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...

 

[AnthonyD]

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

Yes - lemon oil is used to treat/clean rosewood fretboards. Not used for maple.

 

[asianjeff]

Yes - lemon oil is used to treat/clean rosewood fretboards. Not used for maple.

any ideas where i can get some good quality recommended lemon oil?

 

[Aussie Mark]

any ideas where i can get some good quality recommended lemon oil?

It must be natural, without any additives such as solvents or alcohol. Your local hardware store may have some in the furniture polish department. Pure natural orange oil is just as good, and smells nicer. Either will do the job nicely. I use orange oil on all my boards, whether they be rosewood, ebony, and even maple.

I've heard a few people say that you shouldn't use lemon oil on maple, but in the absence of some facts I suspect it's an old wives' tale.

 

[PocketGroove82]

You can get pure lemon oil from a number of places, Ireactl.
natural/healthfood places like "wholefoods" carry it, and many herbal/aromatherapy type websites sell it. you can also buy some name brand types supposedly designed for guitars at music stores. in a few months you will be able to pick up EBMM cleaning wipes, which is what I'll be getting as soon as they're available!

Mark, i've also wondered why lemon oil is not recommended on maple fretboards. I was thinking maybe it was too oily/greasy.

 

[syciprider]

I use furniture polish.

 

[eddybomb]

adelucia, I am sorry I didn't specify the post I was commenting on...it wasn't your thread opener I was commenting on, but a reply commenting on the other brands neck diving attributes.