Maple vs Rosewood

[modular]

Hi guys! This is my first topic here at EB forum!

Let me put you up to date. I used to play bass some years ago, but now I want to pick up the instrument again! I've had a bunch of basses, from Fenders to Warwicks, Yamahas and a MM Stingray, but now I have zero basses.

Well, since I just want to buy a bass I have to choose the MM Stingray again! It was the bass that I liked the most. It's perfect for what I need.

The thing is... maple or rosewood fingerboard?! I had a Stingray with maple neck and it was great, yet I remember that the sound was not "that warm". How can I explain this... even though I like crispier tones I'm looking for something a little bit more "moody".

Is the rosewood fingerboard more suitable? Unfortunately I wont be able to try several Stingrays since music stores in my city don't have any to try, so I need to rely on your opinions and feedback.

The bass I'm hoping to buy is the MusicMan Stingray 2-EQ (black+black).

Thank you for your help!


Cheers!

 

[keko]

You can't miss with EBMM bass in any configuration, so maple or RW board makes just slight tonal difference, ...only old deaf sound men like me could notice the difference!

Anyway, it was huge discussion about this at one of previous old Threads, try to find it if You have good nerves!

 

[Movielife]

I agree, its down to aesthetics and feel more than tone, but I still think there is a more 'warm' sound to rosewood, but lets face it, thats probably more down to me thinking its warmer!

I will say this, with all my past basses and current, I keep going back to rosewood, so I must favour it for some reason. Maple can be awesome with the right colour though!

 

[Norm66]

I'm a maple guy. But it's got more to do with aesthetics than tone for me. I think it's a part of the overall tone, but a very small part indeed. IMHO a very small turn of the bass control will make more of a difference to the tone than the fingerboard material.

 

[Chuck B]

Don't know how old your Ray has been - did it still have a glossy maple neck? I never had a maple boarded Ray with satin finish.
But I think that every Ray has his own voice - they all sound like StingRays, of course - and you should take the bass like it is.
I personally am a maple guy

 

[Basswave]

I'm more of a maple guy myself, and like that little extra snap, however with that being said I don't hear the differance as much with music man basses. Its there but its as noticeable as other instruments IMHO

 

[drTStingray]

I still think there is a more 'warm' sound to rosewood

+1 especially on a Stingray. That's not to say you can't get a maple neck Stingray to sound warm - I think the rosewood is slightly darker sounding and slightly less in your face. Both are great and you can't go wrong with either version on an MM bass.

 

[jlepre]

Pick up an HH, and never look back.

 

[bass-slinger]

EBONY!!! (I know, wishful thinking...had to throw it out there...)

 

[modular]

hahah! Thanks guys!

I'm going for the rosewood version!

Cheers

 

[danny-79]

Ive always like the look of Maple boards but when its comes down to it its Rosewood every time for me ! but thats just my personal preference, some will say that maple is a slightly harder sound but to me its more of a "how it feels mentally" kind of thing.
Rosewood and Round-wounds for me !

 

[syciprider]

To me, Stingrays look drop dead sexy with maple boards. I wish that option existed for all models or runs too.

 

[projectapollo]

EBONY!!! (I know, wishful thinking...had to throw it out there...)

Ebony!!

 

[oli@bass]

EBONY!!! (I know, wishful thinking...had to throw it out there...)

You mean like this?

 

[cellkirk74]

Oh, wait a second....

 

[oli@bass]

The thing is... maple or rosewood fingerboard?!

I have several StingRays with different configurations and used to favor the rosewood boards and 3 band EQ. However, I found recently that the poly finished maple necks and 2 band EQ like on the Classic series give me more of the tone I associate with the StingRay. I don't think that maple boarded necks lack warmth, but tend to be more "up front".

Naturally those differences are subtle, as are the differences from body woods or the difference of two identical instruments, each having heir own "voice".

 

[drTStingray]

I don't think that maple boarded necks lack warmth, but tend to be more "up front"QUOTE]

I don't disagree with this, or that maple can sound warm - but just remembering Flea played a Ray with rosewood board - and that was REALLY up front!! Having said that his playing style could be called aggressive at times - to say the least! Who else could pull the strings out of the bridge barrel retainers!!

As you say, individual instruments and playing style also makes a difference.

Those ebony boards look great - and that roasted Bongo...........................