I had Gotta Acquire Syndrome for a Hss Stratocaster,,but on each GC stop,(Stopped at 3 in the LA area),I couldn`t pull the trigger,due to the fact I couldn`t really find the body color I wanted.

Another reason being (so far) is that I already have a `11 American standard sunburst with a maple fretboard,,and each time I went,,I kept telling myself,,I already have a good one.

My question is,,would I notice a sound difference from the rosewood one to the maple one I already have?

Thanks
Phil

Hey Phil

there are many people on this board that will swear there is a major difference ... to me it's always been the look and feel of the fretboard. The only time I have noticed the slightest perceptible difference in sound between like spec'd guitars (aside from fretboard woods), is that the maple was marginally brighter. There are so many things in the sound chain that the difference between fretboard woods will tend to get lost. The difference I perceived could have easily been down to a fraction of a turn of the tone control, or even down to the pots or wiring.

Maple boards tend to have more lacquer but that has never affected my playing and I admit I prefer maple ... having said that of the three electric guitars I currently own, only one has a maple fretboard. Go figure.

Good luck finding your perfect guitar ... I'm still looking for mine.

Hi Rt4957,

What most people hear are subtle but noticeable differences between woods. Some can't hear a difference, doesn't mean that the difference isn't there, just that they can't hear it. But, it's the guitar as a whole, there are usually other differences between guitars besides the fret board, no two are exactly the same. All things considered, a guitar with a rosewood fret board can sound different from a similar or identical model with a maple fret board.

As pointed out, maple has a finish coating on the fret board, rosewood has no finish on it, so the two can feel quite different. The coating on the maple fret board can be part of the difference in sound also.

The rosewood fret board can transfer vibration a little better than maple, so the rosewood can sound "richer" or fuller, making the maple seem "thin" or brighter sounding by comparison. Sometimes you want a bright sound, sometimes you don't. I like to have at least one of each for variety, but usually prefer maple, in large part for the looks.

BTW, I thought that it was Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

Oh, and try a search of the forum for rosewood vs maple, this topic has been covered quite well, with lots of great info.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

PLEASE do a search. There are a number of rosewood vs maple threads. We don't need another. They all end up the same way.

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Bill

Hello Phil,
you may want to play two guitars with different fretboards...UNPLUGGED...preferably same model, same body, i.e. alder...same type of strings etc...you may notice the difference...and feel which one you prefer...well, just a suggestion..hope it helps..

I wish I knew the website but a fella there compared not only rosewwod fretboards vs maple but alder vs swamp ash. He kept all the hardware the same even going so far as to switch the loaded pickguard from one to the other. His recordings made it clear there is a very noticable difference with necks and bodies. I'll see if I can dig it up because it was a great way to compare.

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...I for one, sure would appreciate the return of intelligent conversation, spirit of assistance and the simple yet effective ignoring of those who can't seem to hang with that...
Best regards,
rob

Eddie Vegas is dead. You are listening to/watching his ghost.

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Bill

Oops. Sorry. I always get him confused with "renowned" guitar dealer Ed Roman from Las Vegas. Sorry for the scare.

Ed Roman is dead.

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Bill

Jackie Gleason's neighbor is dead?

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

That was Ed Norton. You're even more confused than I am.

_________________
Bill

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.