Rosewood vs Maple

[Lobsterhands]

I am looking to get into a Silo Spec with the Piezo HSS configuration.

I have it all boiled down to the neck make up - Here is my question - Maple neck vs Rosewood - is one suited for a certain sound, or style of music (heavily OD tones vs clean)?

Is the maple neck brighter than the rosewood?

What is the real diff?

Thanks

LH

 

[robelinda2]

Personal tone and feel preference is the only factor. I quite like maple boards for the spanky snappy feel and tone, ive become less a fan of the rosewood boards, I love to spank! Eeek!

 

[ScoobySteve]

Tone difference is there, but very minute.

For me, the difference between a maple vs. rosewood board is an aesthetic and feel issue.

I love the way rosewood fingerboards feel. So smooth and slick. If you like dark color contrasts with your paint choice, it also compliments it well too.

However, for natty headstocks and vintage body colors (like vintage, white, buttercream, tobacco, sunburst, cherry, etc.) nothing is hawter than a maple board.

Preference really.

 

[Slingy]

Maple will look much dirtier over time.

 

[ScoobySteve]

Maple will look much dirtier over time.

Some, like myself, find that look very sexy.

 

[robelinda2]

Unfinished maple gets dirtier, not all maple necks are unfinished. But yes in EBMM land you will have a loved dirty maple neck before too long!

 

[guitfiddle]

Generally, I like both. To some degree it depends on the guitar style & wood. I like Rosewood on Mahogony guitars for example.
The unfinished maple necks on the EBMMs are really unlike any other brand out there in feel, and I think folks owe it to themselves to try them. They are the best maple neck out there period IMHO. If you were going for a mainstream manufacturer's "S" type guitar, I don't think there would be as much difference, but on an EBMM the maple necks are really special. I'd go with maple on a Silo Special based on how good they feel and play.

 

[browndog]

I find that it comes down to personal preference. I’ve been on maple necks for as long as I can remember.

 

[bbake1]

I'm with rob and browndog for the maple as a personal preference. I do have a BFR rosewood that is really nice, but its just not for me.

 

[balance]

Another fan of maple here. I agree that Rosewood and Mahogany can sound good together, but Maple necks and boards are still my first choice. Rosewood tends to add a "sizzle" to my ears that is apparent in the tone.

 

[Jonny Dubai]

Am into rosewood at the moment. Easier to clean!! I like the tone against my Marshall as they are quite toppy.


J

 

[straycat113]

Maple is somewhat brighter in tone that is more noticeable with single coils than humbuckers. Since I only own two brands of guitars my Fenders mainly have Rosewood necks but my 4 EBMMs have maple as they just feel like no other maple neck I played.

 

[nathanhny]

Just have a play around and see what you like . Most of it is a feel/comfort and sound issue. But there are also a few cosmetic issues as well

 

[skerwo]

I´m also on the maple side . From time to time I had guitars with rw neck, but all of them are gone. My mapleneck guitars are still here. For me the better feeling.


Rainer

 

[Lobsterhands]

"Just have a play around and see what you like . Most of it is a feel/comfort and sound issue. But there are also a few cosmetic issues as well"

Well thats the thing - The music stores in my area don't or are not MM dealers - they don't have any to play. Even the Guitar Center here doesn't stock them. Hence the need for this forum to get opinions.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/mus...oard-poll-maple-rosewood-pau-ferro-ebony.html

 

[ShaneV]

I love the way maple feels and looks. I keep hoping that someday we'll see a JP with a maple fretboard.

 

[Astrofreq]

Depends what color guitar you are getting. It's all about looks.

 

[shadowboxer]

On most guitars, I prefer ebony to the others; rosewood seems a bit too porous and open-grained, and finished maple always seems sticky. The oil-finished MM neck was a revelation for me. I don't think I'll ever have a clear-coated neck again, at least on an electric.

(I can't say that I've heard a tonal difference between the two, as I've never played two guitars which were absolutely identical except for the fretboard material.)

 

[chemical69]

Rosewood for me. I've always preferred how it feels. Unfinished maple might be cool though.

Sometimes it's more about tone vs. playability. Maple necks can sound different and you might want that sound.