Tell me about ebony necks

[Ricman]

I am really smitten with the Roasted Maple series. I have never played an ebony board, and if I do order one it will have to be "blind".

How does ebony feel compared to maple and RW? Whats the difference in tone? Any care issues?

Thanks

 

[Dante]

it sounds brighter, more open, more immediate. feels smoother according to some.

 

[walleye]

i think its certain to say that if you like the feel of rosewood then you'll like the feel of ebony (probably more). i wouldn't worry too much about it

 

[metalmarty]

Have been playing ebony boards all my life and, logically, I love them. Bright, spanky sound, very fast response, smooth feel. Excellent if you do a lot of lead-work.

 

[threeminutesboy]

Do you think an ebony fretboard with Maple neck is comparable to an All maple neck?

I had an ebony fretboard with a mahogany neck and can not really compare.

Maybe someone who has a Dargie 2 can compare.

For instance Patrick (Coffemug), can you compare the ebony neck with maple on on one of your AL ?

 

[bkrumme]

Ebony is very tight-grained like maple, but feels a little softer to my hands. It's super-smooth, but still has a spanky kind of sound to it.

I'd put it between rosewood and maple as far as the tone goes, and right at the top of the list when it comes to feel.

 

[ScoobySteve]

I can't attest to the sound. The only ebony board I have is on my Jose Ramirez classical. But as far as feel is concerned, it is very smooth on the fingers and very fluid.

To be honest, I prefer well conditioned, and well maintained rosewood THE best. It simply feels better under my fingers. But ebony aint bad either.

 

[Coffeemug]

For instance Patrick (Coffemug), can you compare the ebony neck with maple on on one of your AL ?

OK, it'll probably tough to find the proper words to describe it as ebony and maple are pretty close soundwise (at least to my ears)...ebony has a bit more low end and a slightly more sparkly and defined tone but those are nuances and I'm not sure I could tell them apart from the sounds alone. As far as the feel is concerned ebony is a bit smoother while being as tight grained as maple...definitely way closer to maple than to rosewood in comparison, works excellent on the AL but I really wouldn't hesitate going for a Morse or any other (normally rosewood equipped) model.

 

[ScoobySteve]

Aside from the TRUE masters of sound differentiation, a solid 75% of us wont be able to pass a blind A/B test between rosewood and Ebony and maple.

And even fewer listeners/audience members will be able to tell.

For me fretboards have always been about comfort/feel and cosmetics. Choosing which one is more comfortable is much more important in my opinion. Let's remember Leo Fender's FIRST intention of introducing the rosewood fretboard was because of dirty maple fretboards popping up on TV and

 

[Headstock]

Aside from the TRUE masters of sound differentiation, a solid 75% of us wont be able to pass a blind A/B test between rosewood and Ebony and maple.

And even fewer listeners/audience members will be able to tell.

For me fretboards have always been about comfort/feel and cosmetics. let's remember Leo Fender's FIRST intention of introducing the rosewood fretboard was because of dirty maple fretboards popping up on TV.

I concur! - cant personally tell a sound difference.
But I love the consistent coloring and super smooth feeling.
Great looking and feeling fretboard wood in my opinion.
If given a choice I always go for the ebony.

 

[LawDaddy]

Ebony is very tight-grained like maple, but feels a little softer to my hands. It's super-smooth, but still has a spanky kind of sound to it.

I'd put it between rosewood and maple as far as the tone goes, and right at the top of the list when it comes to feel.

^ This.

It's one of the things that makes a Les Paul Custom a "Custom". It has a slick feel to it, it allows for easy bends on the smaller fretwire used on LPCs, and gives the Customs some of their "snap".

I think it's a great addition to the EBMM line. If it's true that the roasting produces the strong fundamentals etc. listed on the flyer (and I have no reason to believe otherwise), the ebony board with the roasted neck (seems weird to type that) could/should produce some interesting and unique tones. I'm definitely intrigued.

 

[threeminutesboy]

OK, it'll probably tough to find the proper words to describe it as ebony and maple are pretty close soundwise (at least to my ears)...ebony has a bit more low end and a slightly more sparkly and defined tone but those are nuances and I'm not sure I could tell them apart from the sounds alone. As far as the feel is concerned ebony is a bit smoother while being as tight grained as maple...definitely way closer to maple than to rosewood in comparison, works excellent on the AL but I really wouldn't hesitate going for a Morse or any other (normally rosewood equipped) model.

thanks mate

 

[Ricman]

Really interesting stuff. Thanks everyone.