Hello - I am trying to determine what differences occur in the strat guitar when it has a maple neck vs. a rosewood neck, regarding tone, ease of playing, etc. I cannot find any information regarding why one would be selected over the other. It seemed the original strats were first offered with maple necks, then the rosewood neck appeared nearly 25 years later, but the maple neck is still offered. Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Highly recommend you use the search function on this site, as you will find a LOT of discussion on this subject.

It comes to personal choice. I have owned both rosewood and maple necked guitars. I like the aesthetics of rosewood better. In my opinion it brings a warmer tone but there are some people who state that the tonal difference is subjective. Also over time the finish on maple necks will start to wear out.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Oh, NO, not again!

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

Yes, definitely do a search.

Also, a survey that allows you to select two of two options is pretty useless.

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Bill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH9o9AvAsCM

here is a video of a guy playing a rose wood then maple strat it might help


for me i like rosewood i started playing guitar on acoustics and acoustics generally have rosewood fretboard so after two years of playing that maple just felt weird

I have Ebony on one of mine.. I feel sooooooo left out.

Good question, I have the blessing to own one of each and liking them both... I still feel my old rosewood neck has a little more texture in the sound that the smooth maple just does'nt have. My conclusion is they both serve a purpose in creating unique sounds.

Whatever floats yer boat! Sunburst looks good with either, Oly White looks best with Rosewood (my opinion), Black or Red looks best with Maple.

try em both and see which one you like. I prefer rosewood because it feels better under my fingers and it's not as bright sounding.

Maple feels and reads better for me.
And I'm with all the others that say "it's a personal preference."

Yes, do a search for other threads on this.
Lots of good info there.

thanks,
david

How about a rosewood neck and maple fingerboard?

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You dig?

my choice is clear---

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2011 PRS 25th SAS
2008 Eric Clapton Custom Antigua Strat
2012 PRS Artist Package Studio Special Order

And they go well with the floor woods, too!
(sorry, couldn't resist)

I should point out also that I love Ebony too. I feels like Rosewood to me, but has more of the tonal characteristics of maple.

I like Rosewood for the slightly darker tone it has, but my biggest reason for rosewood is the feel. I hate how my fingers tend to stick to a maple fretboard. When I want something brighter sounding, Ebony is the perfect alterative fretboard choice.