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Post subject: Maple Fretboards: Pros & Cons?
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:26 am
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Guys & Gals:

I am considering the purchase of a lightly used 2007 Highway One Strat (Blonde) with a maple fretboard.

Never having owned a guitar with a maple fretboard, I was wondering if there are any shortcomings to having a maple fretboard. Besides tonal quality, what are the differences between maple and rosewood fretboards, in terms of durability, maintenance, performance and such?

Thanks for any help.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:38 am
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Hello FenderGuy53,

I don't feel there is any tone differance.
Many will argue this but thats my 2 cents.
As for duribility and maintenence the same
for both, although after a good deal of playing
the finish will wear off the maple board. Some
love this look, some don't.

Best of luck.


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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:45 am
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Mr. Bill is correct: there's no tone difference. Its just one of those "tone nyths" that guitar players love.

He's also correct that there are no durability issues and no maintenance required.


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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:47 am
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As for me, I kind of dig the look of a maple fretboard losing it's finish, and oils and dirt "staining" the wood for that nice used look. Look at any of Clapton's strats with a maple fretboard and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:00 am
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I just got my fist maple fretboard this weekend and I think they feel great, I would go for it.


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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:04 am
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Mr Bill wrote:
Hello FenderGuy53,

I don't feel there is any tone differance.
Many will argue this but thats my 2 cents.
As for duribility and maintenence the same
for both, although after a good deal of playing
the finish will wear off the maple board. Some
love this look, some don't.

Best of luck.



I never thought of the finish, but that's a good point. Does a rosewood fretboard have a finish, and if so, will it, too, eventually wear off?


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:26 am
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FenderGuy53 wrote:
Mr Bill wrote:
Hello FenderGuy53,

I don't feel there is any tone differance.
Many will argue this but thats my 2 cents.
As for duribility and maintenence the same
for both, although after a good deal of playing
the finish will wear off the maple board. Some
love this look, some don't.

Best of luck.



I never thought of the finish, but that's a good point. Does a rosewood fretboard have a finish, and if so, will it, too, eventually wear off?


My rosewood fretboards do not have a finish, I use fretboard oil on them and they soak up the oil. the oil does make them nice.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:38 am
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Rosewood normally does not have a finish so the oil is good for it if applied sparingly. However, under no circumstances should oil or anything else be used on a maple fretboard.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:40 am
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Hello FenderGuy53,

The only guitar that I ever played that had a
finish on a rosewood fretboard was a Rickenbaker.

Cheers.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:30 am
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The difference for me is the feel. I prefer having wood I can feel under my fingers. Only my bass has a maple fingerboard--but since it's a bass the strings keep my fingers off the fingerboard for the most part--so it doesn't matter.

With a guitar I find my fingers slip around on a maple fingerboard. I'm sure I could get used to one--but I prefer ebony or rosewood.

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Post subject: Re: Maple Fretboards: Pros & Cons?
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:41 am
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FenderGuy53 wrote:
Guys & Gals:

I am considering the purchase of a lightly used 2007 Highway One Strat (Blonde) with a maple fretboard.

Never having owned a guitar with a maple fretboard, I was wondering if there are any shortcomings to having a maple fretboard. Besides tonal quality, what are the differences between maple and rosewood fretboards, in terms of durability, maintenance, performance and such?

Thanks for any help.


Guys, thanks for the input. Being a nut about my gear, I think I'm gonna stick with the rosewood fretboards! ;-)

Thanks.


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Post subject: Re: Maple Fretboards: Pros & Cons?
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:46 am
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FenderGuy53 wrote:
Guys & Gals:

I am considering the purchase of a lightly used 2007 Highway One Strat (Blonde) with a maple fretboard.

Never having owned a guitar with a maple fretboard, I was wondering if there are any shortcomings to having a maple fretboard. Besides tonal quality, what are the differences between maple and rosewood fretboards, in terms of durability, maintenance, performance and such?

Thanks for any help.


If you want a completely objective, non-biased response, I'd have to say maple is so much better than rosewood. It feels better in my hands, you can bend so much easier, it's easier to clean (you don't have to worry about getting gunk in the pores of wood) and to be quite honest, it just looks sexier.

Any help?

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I can't imagine what life would be like without it.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 1:39 pm
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I am a solid maple guy! Oh, and don't forget Hendrix started with rosewood, but switched to maple! If that means anything! :lol:


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:26 pm
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I dig maple.

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:28 pm
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The lemon oil for rosewood fretboards, is it something special or just regular lemon oil?
is it worth it? and is string cleaning worth it?


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