Rosewood/Maple ?

[Jazzy J]

You know what? I just PLAY.

 

[bassballs]

It's a matter of simple physics. For a given string to vibrate at a certain frequency or note on the musical scale, it has to be at the same tension as another string that is the same size and length. Scale length and string material and guage make a difference but Neck material don't.

 

[The Big BassMan]

I would beg to differ. The rosewood board basses I have played haven't been as snappy as the maple ones.

true that Maple necks may produce a snappier tone than rosewood ones, but the tone the wood produces has nothing to do with the tension of the strings. some brands of strings state the tension under which they have to be put under to be at the standart tuning notes. They don't say " standard for maple neck "or show different tensions for woods other than maple.

Everyone agrees that produces snappier tones than rosewood(i think), but thats just the way the string vibrates in conjunction with the wood. Confusing subject indeed

 

[bassballs]

That's true, Big Bassman--the same strings vibrate at the same rate and tension at the same length. The original question was whether Rosewood or Maple were better or worse. Maple is a bit snappier, but the active tone control on the Stingray is so versatile, that you can probably dial in very similar tones on both necks. And the round wound strings can damage the maple fretboard easier, but the question then comes down to which wood would you prefer to play? It is an esthetic decision, I think.

 

[*J*]

Just ordered my new bass.-Natural/Maple with a shell pickguard.
Thanks for the input and science lesson - *J*

 

[bassballs]

Great Choice! Thanks for putting us out of our misery. My brain was hurting!

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

mmmmmm.....interesting!

Jacko's...

>>>>three things to consider

ditto

 

[basscat]

...BTW, string tension is determined by a number of factors, the most important of which would be the type of string (ie, Thomastik-Infeld JFs will be fairly low tension, Rotosound flats will be relatively high tension). Fingerboard composition has no bearing on tension at all.

I actually think the fingerboard affects the percieved tenion of the string in that a stable neck (as Musicman necks generally are) will be less affected by a puck of a string and the resulting vibrations than a less stable (less stiff) neck. It could be that maple is a bit harder and stiffer than rosewood and therefor contribute to to the overall stability and stiffness of the neck. And as a result it might affect the percieved tension. Fender only offers Pau Ferro fingerbaords on most of their US made five strings. Pau farro is very hard so stability could be a reason behind that, to enhance the tension by increasing the stiffness of the neck. Could help the B string somewhat. I don't know of that it the case with MM basses though.

BC

 

[hands 5]

Hmmm you heard two voices say "maple" and you're sold? That's strange
I personally love maple but rosewood is the one I keep on buying. It's a lot cooler than maple. It sounds warmer - even if it's just that little bit - I think it looks cooler (on some finishes maple is a joke) and it plays a lot better than maple.
Just some food for thought for ya, *J* !

Jazzy J

In hindsight I wish I would've had a rosewood fingerboard moreso than the maple on my SR5 because the tone to me is a lot smoother than the maple.There are not many basses that I would want to have with a maple fingerboard except a Fender Jazz. Sorry.

 

[bassballs]

I think due to the versatility of the Stingray electronics, you can get virtually the same sound with either wood, so it just comes down to personal preference. There would be more difference if you were comparing pickups or other aspects.

 

[The Big BassMan]

I chose rosewood on my stingray because the stingrays are the punchiest basses i've ever used and the maple neck is just overkill to my ears. Also I find that rosewood is more versatile sound-wise, and as my stingray is my only bass (my old Jim Harley does NOT count a a real bass) I need to be able to pull all the sounds I want from it, therefore rosewood was the one for me.

Ed

PS Does anyone else have one of those crappy old Jim Harleys? I can't seen to find any information on them.

 

[hands 5]

All these points are intresting and also very informative on different types of string tension,and physics.(I tellya,you guys take this s@#t seriously,but that is a good thing because you are never to young to learn)anyway,I'm sure there are some subtle difference's with the different type fingerboards that are mention in this thread,i.e.sound,action,etc but to me a Stingray is a Stingray,is a Stingray period no matter what type of fingerboard it has.Both still good basses.

 

[Everlast]

the maple is more of a pingy sound but the rosewood (which i like more) has more of a bassy boomy sound

 

[Psychicpet]

I have to jump in....
As to the "subtle" differences in fingerboard wood , they might be subtle on a loud stage but if you're doing any recording you'll hear a difference. The best way to hear the difference in fingerboards is to play a few passive fretless' with different boards. IMO ebony is the worst fretless fingerboard ever, I play an upright bass so to put flatwounds on an ebony fretless to get that "thud" is a waste of time. My fretless has a purpleheart board and there is a HUGE difference in tone, it sings like rosewood or pau ferro but is still hard like ebony.
SO, although alot of basses out there today negate all contributions of the wood by using certain pick-ups/active electronics , the StingRay's EQ/etc. are still organic enough that the wood does come through. Go do some Marcus style slap on an old or new F Jazz, one with Maple and one with Rosewood... big difference.

.... or I could just be on crack.....

 

[hands 5]

I have to jump in....
As to the "subtle" differences in fingerboard wood , they might be subtle on a loud stage but if you're doing any recording you'll hear a difference. The best way to hear the difference in fingerboards is to play a few passive fretless' with different boards. IMO ebony is the worst fretless fingerboard ever, I play an upright bass so to put flatwounds on an ebony fretless to get that "thud" is a waste of time. My fretless has a purpleheart board and there is a HUGE difference in tone, it sings like rosewood or pau ferro but is still hard like ebony.
SO, although alot of basses out there today negate all contributions of the wood by using certain pick-ups/active electronics , the StingRay's EQ/etc. are still organic enough that the wood does come through. Go do some Marcus style slap on an old or new F Jazz, one with Maple and one with Rosewood... big difference.

.... or I could just be on crack.....

Cant you get a MM with the pau ferro fingerboard ? because i don't think you can have 1 with a purpleheart. A SR4 or 5 would be intresting with a pau ferro fingerboard and passive electronics

 

[Psychicpet]

I think the SR5 fretless is pao ferro but my purpleheart fretless is a custom made bass, not a MM.
I'd like to be able to get a purpleheart fretless SR5...

cheers

 

[mike jewels]

I'm a rosewood guy too. We've discussed the sonic qualities, so I won't add anything to this. I just like the look of rosewood. A maple fingerboard makes any stinged instrument seem unfinished, know what I mean?

I like the visual contrast of silver/gray strings against a dark neck. Yummy.

I wanted to get a sunburst or honeybusrt finish, but I would have to have waited at least two weeks for the store to order it.

Now, when I look at my black/rosewood beauty sitting on the stand, she just says: "Play me."

Sometimes she speaks to me when I'm not even in the same room.

Is this Stingray devotion, or am I hearing voices?

Love those Stingrays!

Mike

 

[Jazzy J]

Hey man, you're from Queens ! I got a friend in Flushing !

 

[ebb soul]

My Sterling has Pau, and I'd say the tone resides somewhere between rosewood and maple.