So, Ebony or Maple?

  • Thread starter Thread starter glpg80
  • Start date Start date

Ebony or Maple Fretboard Material?

  • Ebony

    Votes: 35 56.5%

  • Maple (Quartersawn, Birdseye, Flame, etc.)

    Votes: 27 43.5%
  • Total voters
    62
I voted maple..because i like it the best...that is based on the feel and looks mainly..that said....i have owned guitars with maple, ebony, and rosewood fretboards...i like them all ...my fender strat has rosewood ....my esp mII has maple.....if i was to buy another guitar today i'd more than likely choose one with maple...it's all subjective.
some people own two essentially identical guitars....both fender strats for instance....but one is maple and the other rosewood....but couldn't some of the differences in sound/tone be from two different pieces of wood (although both may be alder) that the bodies are made from? slight pickup differences even if same make/model? different densities in the woods etc...? it would be interesting if someone in this instance would swap necks on the two given guitars and then test the tone....record pre/post neck swaps and see the tonal differences they hear recorded vs what they hear in the room while playing.
I do think it changes the tone some...but how much? would my ears truly hear the difference? not sure if I could discern...maybe Eric Johnson and maybe many of you rigtalkers could...i bet if one had a maple bodied guitar vs rosewood body guitar, i'd bet you'd hear a bigger difference than just the fretboards we are talking about.
 
I voted Maple.Love the 'poping' quality for fingerpicking.Provided it is combined with a nice piece of Ash r Alder.For mahogany bodies i 'd have t say Ebony.
 
It really depends on the guitar, but lately I've been on a Mahogany body/Maple neck and board kick these days, just love that combo. Isn't John Sykes #1 Lester Mahogany body/ Maple neck w/Ebony board?

Rosewood is the dullest sounding of the three main woods used. Ebony is brighter on the snap and attack, where Maple is bright in a softer way, if that makes sense.
 
I prefer maple or rosewood for fretboards. I never liked the feel or brightness of ebony and a lot would depend on the other materials in the guitar too.
 
Ebony. I can't stand the look and feel of maple. In fact, I hate it so much, I would never own a guitar with a maple board.
 
madrigal77":38qq7w8p said:
Ebony. I can't stand the look and feel of maple. In fact, I hate it so much, I would never own a guitar with a maple board.
Click to expand...

True that
 
It's a tough choice... Even though almost all my guitars are dark wood, maple would be my choice for a signature guitar (yeah like that is going to happen).
 
Geez, a nice maple fretboard is really hard to beat. It feels so sturdy and smooth. Looks cool too.
 
madrigal77":1r67ox4w said:
Ebony. I can't stand the look and feel of maple. In fact, I hate it so much, I would never own a guitar with a maple board.
Click to expand...

Same...can't seem to dig the feel or look of maple. To me, an ebony board just feels right. I think the larger maple top of my LP custom has a lot more to do with brightness than the ebony fingerboard does. Buy based on feel.
 
damn, split right down the middle.

didnt expect this to happen :confused:
 
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