You must log in or register to reply here. Rosewood is associated with rich and warm tones. Both maple and rosewood have their own unique sound, so its important to choose the one that you think will fit your style of playing the best. var ins = document.createElement('ins'); Rosewood is a porous tonewood that doesnt require a finishing because it is naturally oily. Some guitarists will actually refer to it as crackwood, because once you try an unfinished fingerboard, nothing else feels as good. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); In this article well compare all of the qualities of these woods to find out which is the best fit for you! var ffid = 1; This is arguably a pretty cool look however, and in recent years, relic guitars which emulate the dirt and dings from an older instrument have become very popular as players seek to emulate this worn-in aesthetic. Pete Townshend: He was known for his many modified Gibson Les Paul models, most of which had rosewood fretboards. Rosewood and maple can also vary in price, with rosewood typically being the more expensive option. In quilted maple, the figuring resembles a quilt, or rippling water pattern, especially when the wood is stained. And not just in terms of tone produced the fingerboard will also affect the feel of your guitar whilst playing, as well as changing its aesthetics. For ease, I like to use Ernie Ball Wonder Wipes. Both maple and rosewood fretboards have their own unique benefits that can appeal to different types of guitarists. You can always upgrade to a different fretboard later on if you find that you dont like the one you chose. Squier Strat Range Overview Bullet, Mini, Affinity, Contemporary, Classic Vibe, How and when to use a thumbpick [with buyers guide 2022], Best Cheap 7 String Guitars (2022) with Buyers and Owners Guide, How to clean guitar strings the complete guide to extending your strings life, Gig Bag Essentials: The things every guitarist needs on the go, Pick Power Angus Young Guitar Pick Brand and Gauge, Can you Trade in at Guitar Center? view of all of the characteristics of each fretboard wood. are more often that not made from 3 main types of wood ebony, rosewood and maple. Besides, as they say, most of your tone comes from the fingers, right? While the Fender Custom Shop David Gilmour Signature Strat is a more premium guitar, you can emulate his tone using a maple fretboard. if you can find some older model series charvels, those things are bullet proof and can be had for cheap. 5 Best Les Paul Guitar Cases [2022] Protect Ya Neck! Best 1/2 Sized Guitars [2022] What to buy and why! Any guitar player will tell you that the feel of their instrument is important to them. The high-end frequencies are more pronounced, giving maple a snap that some guitarists prefer. While some brands have continued the use of their rosewood substitutes after the rules were eased, many have reverted to using it in their guitar designs. To cut a long story short, back in 2017 heavy restrictions were placed on goods containing any form of rosewood. The anatomy of a guitar is very interesting. Japanese Guitar Brand Guide (2022) ESP, Takamine and More! Rosewood has a very smooth, fine grain that feels nice to the touch, while maple has a coarser grain thats more visible.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'guitarbased_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_11',116,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-guitarbased_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0')}; The choice of finish is also important, as it can affect the look and feel of your guitar. We don't spam and you can unsubscribe anytime. As far as I am concerned, it is one of the LAST "quality" Jackson imports. It was thicker than most modern necks. However, lighter shades of brown are also common. This has led to the over-exploitation of certain species of rosewood, which are now listed on Appendix II (link to PDF) of CITES. They are also called fingerboards. Rosewood vs Maple: Does It Matter? Learning how, Fingerprints and smudges are more visible. The long strip of material (usually wood) that connects the body of a guitar to its headstock is known as the neck. George Harrison: The Rickenbacker 360/12 was popularised after he played it on songs such as I Can Call Your Name. Maple fretboards are cream or beige. It is probably the best one you have asked about so far. Yes, its a video comparing necks, but if you opt for a roasted maple fretboard its almost definitely going to be paired with the same neck wood! It is also known for being fairly heavy and a very tough wood, which results in it generally being harder wearing and longer lasting than maple or rosewood. But thankfully this practice no longer occurs, and the streaked ebony mentioned above is also now very commonly used in guitar building. The most common varieties used for guitar fretboards are: East Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia) is the most popular type used in guitars, and its characterized by its deep brown color and prominent grain pattern.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'guitarbased_com-box-4','ezslot_3',111,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-guitarbased_com-box-4-0')}; Its a very dense wood, which makes it durable and resistant to warping. 8 Best Guitar Amps Under $100 [2022] Great Cheap Tones! Some of the most common kinds of tonewood are rosewood, maple, and ebony. If you have ever wondered if one is better than the other and if so, then why, read on to find out more! It is also a great choice if youd like the crisper sound of a maple board, but without the sticky finish. Their new Sun Valley Super Shredder is a great guitar - Dinky-sized body, 24 frets, Floyd Rose, and your choice of maple or rosewood fretboard depending on body color. Maple body (inspired by the Lynch Kamikaze). 7 Best Guitar Tuners (2022) that tune fast! The reason for this is that rosewood is becoming increasingly rare, especially Brazilian rosewood, which is now an endangered species. It also has the added benefit of enhancing the color and figuring of the wood, with typical examples being a much darker, richer caramel hue. While we agreed with everything he says, I still encourage you to watch the full video, since youll actually be able to hear these differences in tone yourself on his demos. ins.className = 'adsbygoogle ezasloaded'; used in guitar fretboards, you are most likely going to find one of three main species on the majority of guitars: Maple, Rosewood, and Ebony. This is unlike rosewood and ebony boards, which do need to be treated on occasion. 5 Best Rat Clones and Buyers Guide, 2022 Edition, Boss Katana Vs. The figuring is not a result of the grain of the wood, but rather, it is caused by a phenomenon called chatoyancy. Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra) is another popular choice for guitar fretboards. Please try again. 7 Best Left Handed Electric Guitars (Beginner & Intermediate). You wont be needing too much since this is not meant to be taken as the main product to clean the heavy dirt, rather, use it to give it its last touch of shine and moisture. As a result, when choosing a guitar, it is important to consider not only the body and neck material but also the fretboard wood. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. In terms of aesthetics, ebony fretboards can range in color from a lighter brown with dark streaks, to deeply black, oftentimes with yellowish, brown or reddish streaks. but it had a super wide neck with a maple fretboard and a fairly thick neck. Take a look at this YouTube video by Chris Buck in which he also makes the comparison between rosewood and maple in guitar fretboards: Aside from inspiring us to create the thumbnail for this article, Chris makes some amazing points. The type of wood used for the fretboard can have a significant impact on playability, different woods have different hardness levels, which affects how you feel when you press down on the strings. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spalted maple is wood from either a dead tree, or sometimes a highly stressed living tree, that has been invaded by a fungus. Hard rock maple is more durable and expensive than the more plentiful Western maple. Maple is tonally similar to ebony in that it produces a well-defined, crisp and bright sound with good sustain. Whereas if you were to add an ebony fingerboard, the sound would likely become even brighter! Copyright 2022 Killer Guitar Rigs. His love for Stratocasters, especially ones with maple fretboards is widely known. These are known as tonewood. The debate on which one is a better tonewood: rosewood or maple is quite senseless. Maple, on the other hand, has a more unique and modern look, which some guitarists prefer.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'guitarbased_com-leader-1','ezslot_6',114,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-guitarbased_com-leader-1-0')}; Birdseye maple, in particular, is known for its unique and visually striking grain pattern, and then theres flame maple, which gets its name from its dramatic, rippled grain that looks like flames. 7 Best Fender Stratocasters (2022) Strats For Every Budget! Theres no substitute for actually playing the guitar and hearing the sound for yourself!if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'guitarbased_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_18',149,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-guitarbased_com-narrow-sky-1-0')}; If youre a beginner, you might not even hear a difference in their tone or notice a change in the feel and playability when you have one in your hands. A high-gloss finish will make the grain of your guitar more visible, while a satin finish will give it a more natural look. Maple, on the other hand, is much more common and therefore generally more affordable.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'guitarbased_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_7',115,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-guitarbased_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0')}; It really depends on your budget, if youre looking for a high-end guitar, then rosewood might be the way to go, but if youre on a tight budget, maple is probably the better option. So, if youre buying a guitar that has a rosewood fretboard, its important to make sure that it is from a sustainable source.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'guitarbased_com-netboard-1','ezslot_20',150,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-guitarbased_com-netboard-1-0')}; Fortunately, many guitar manufacturers are now using certified sustainable rosewood, so this shouldnt be too difficult to do. But again, very important, make sure that you dont use actual lemon juice, and that if you have lemon oil, its lemon concentration is not high. This is thanks to Taylor Guitars, who now supply the majority of the worlds ebony used in guitar making. This resulted in many guitar brands scrambling to find suitable rosewood alternatives due to the additional headaches associated with using the wood. Hey mmd your posts and pics are pushing me hard to get this red Dinky !!!!!!!!!!! GuitarBased.com is all about showing you a little bit more about guitars each day and finding ways to innovate and have fun with this beautiful instrument that we love. Maple fretboards provide a lighter, brighter sound than rosewood, which is why theyre often used on guitars that are played for country and pop. Since they do not need a finishing, they feel very smooth to play and they are perfect for cutting out some of the excess high frequencies on higher registers. The heavy bass and mid tones give rosewood a darker sound than maple, which is why its often used on guitars that are played for blues and rock. Positive Grid Spark [2022 Comparison], Boss Katana vs. Yamaha THR10 [2022 Comparison], Best Gifts For Guitarists At Every Price Point [2022], Best 5 Acoustic Guitar Amplifiers (2022 Review), Best 5 Acoustic Guitars For Small Hands (2022 Review), 9 Best Guitar Cleaning & Polishing Kits (2022), Neural DSP Quad Cortex Vs. Fractal Audio Axe-FX 3, 6 Best Guitar Strings for 12 String Guitars (Electric/Acoustic) [2022], Neural DSP Quad Cortex Vs. Line 6 Helix, 5 Best Soundproofing Panels For Absorbing/Dampening Sound (2022 Review), 5 Best Guitar Strings for Telecasters (2022), Behringer Guitar Pedal Guide including Clone List, 3 Best Long Life Guitar Strings (2022 Review), 7 Best Travel Guitars [2022] Compact Guitars on The Move, 5 Best Hybrid Guitars (Acoustic/Electric) in 2022. Just my opinion, but I believe every guitar nerd should own this.The Ultimate Guitar Tone Handbook by Bobby Owsinksi. Maple fretboards also require more upkeep than rosewood, because theyre more susceptible to scratches and dents. The reason for this is that rosewood has a higher density, which makes it absorb more low-end frequencies. The front of the neck is known as the fretboard. All rights reserved. Maple fretboards are found in a variety of price points. It is common for maple fretboards to be carved out of the same piece of wood as the neck. Their easy playability makes them popular with many brands that now produce many different models with rosewood fretboards. Its a heart-warming watch to see how much Taylor cares for the environment. If youd like to see what each type of fretboard wood (pun intended!) 9 Best Guitar Stands and Guitar Racks For All Budgets (2022), 7 Best Guitar Wall Hangers or Mounts that are easy to install (2022), 7 Best Nylon Guitar Strings For Classical Guitar (2022), The Best Guitar Picks for Beginners w/ Buying Guide, 7 Best Noise Gate Pedals [2022] Keep tone, lose noise, 20 Best Free Amp Sims/Plugins For Guitarists [2022], 7 Best Low Latency Audio Interfaces [2022] with Buyers Guide, 7 Best P90 Guitars [2022] For All Budgets, 7 Best Guitar Headphone Amps [2022] Amp in your Cans, 7 Best Parlor Guitars in 2022 with Buyers Guide, Best Cheap Acoustic Guitars (2022 Review). CITES was drafted as a response to the increased global demand for wildlife products, such as ivory and fur. If you were to pair it with a rosewood fretboard, the sound would be rounded out with a warmer tone to the top-end. Maple, on the other hand, is a lighter wood with a lower density, so in other words, it doesnt absorb as much of the low-end frequencies, resulting in a brighter, tighter sound. Did you know that scale length also affects the tone of your guitar? ins.dataset.fullWidthResponsive = 'true'; However, unlike ebony and rosewood, maple does require a finish to protect it from the effects of humidity (unless you opt for roasted maple, see below!). Though I hardly ever play blues and stuff like that, I once had an old Gibson Marauder. That is a very nice guitar. A little cleaning goes a long way. Rosewood is becoming increasingly rare and expensive, so it may not be an option for budget-minded players. Maple is a reliable tonewood because it is dense and sturdy. There are multiple country chord progressions that people tend to like more than others. This gives it a fuller, rounder sound thats well suited for genres like blues and rock. However, this also makes it difficult to work with, which is one of the reasons why its become so expensive in recent years. JavaScript is disabled. Country music, despite its reputation as simple down-home, Are you looking for ways to make DIY guitar picks? var container = document.getElementById(slotId); Rosewood usually has a more textured feel, while maple has a smoother feel, this can affect the way your guitar slides across your strings and how it feels when youre playing it.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'guitarbased_com-leader-2','ezslot_12',146,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-guitarbased_com-leader-2-0')}; Some guitarists prefer the smoother feel of maple, while others find the more textured feel of rosewood to be more their style. Finally, lets talk about the aesthetics and appearance of these woods, when it comes to this, rosewood and maple look quite different. Jackson, Gretsch, ESP LTD, and even Gibson are some of the brands that use ebony fretboards on some of their models. The color may start to stain. Although there is a huge variety of woods (and other materials!) Flame maple features almost three-dimensional patterns of visual waves and stripes, which can range from tight and narrow, to wide and undulating. Like maple, it is an extremely dense wood with a bright tone, but similar to rosewood, is darker and has oilier pores. 23 Guitar Brands Youre Pronouncing Wrong! Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 20 Ways To Grow A Guitar Page On Instagram. This makes maple a good choice for players who want to be able to hear every note they play distinctly and clearly. Its also worth noting that rosewood can vary quite a bit in terms of color and grain pattern, so if youre looking for a particular aesthetic, make sure to do your research before you buy. Since the wood is now completely dried out, it doesnt require a finish, so the feel will be much closer to that of rosewood or ebony. When it comes to durability, rosewood is more resistant to dents and scratches, while maple is harder and less prone to warping since its a denser wood. How Hard Should You Press Down On Guitar Strings? Roasted maple, also known as caramelized, baked, or torrefied maple, has been roasted until the wood reaches its optimum dryness level. This is because the grain patterns found on these more exotic maples are very difficult to work with, making them an unpopular option for mass produced guitars where machines are more likely to do the work.