nice, my wife just bought me one too. Definitely a keeper!

David Gilmour used to use a 60's black + rosewood strat. I'm not sure about this info, but seems his black strat is that same guitar, he just swapped necks. You can see him playing it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMpGdG27K9o

Or it was a 68-69 from Pompeii, that he switched to a 60's neck? Or are they 2 different guitars? May the Gilmour specialists clarify it

And this guy here always uses one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaGjFIYGdoM

Brazilian guitarist Solon "Fishbone". I saw him live once. Seemed to be an authentic 65 Strat.

Yes, but not much ... Rosewood feels and sounds a little softer than maple. For me, I can control my bends better with rosewood. HOWEVER, the difference is not dramatically different regardless of what anyone says. I also really like ebony -- my '79 Gibson SG Std is ebony, and I have always loved that neck ...

_________________
Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

When I bought my 2008 American Standard, it was black with a white pickguard and H/S/S. Today it has a black S/S/S pickguard, and Lace Sensor Golds in black. Soon it will have a Warmouth maple neck/fretboard with the large 70's headstock. I just love the blackout look. Now if only I could play properly

_________________
September 18th, 1970
There were none better before him.
There have been none better since.

Hi Lady VA,concerning maple vs. rosewood necks some people say that maple necks impart a brighter sound but there are too many other dynamics in play to make a blanket statement like that.The tone woods in the bodies and differences in the electronics and hardware in two guitars may contribute to a perceived brightness iin one over another.Unless you do a neck swap on the same guitar you couldn't tell for sure and even then you have the weight and density of the necks themselves coming into the equation.Having said that rosewood gives you more feel and feedback to your fingers than the much smoother maple also maple allows for somewhat easier bends.

_________________
'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.