Maple vs. Rosewood Fretboard Comparison

[Cagey]

Here's a little video that compares Rosewood vs. Maple fretboards. It's one of the best comparisons I've seen in that he takes two Fender MIM necks and installs them one after another on the same body, which eliminates any chance for differences in body wood species, shape, finish, bridge, pickups, and strings to have an effect. The only thing that changes is the neck. And the fact that one of the necks is a laminate and the other is a one-piece. And his playing consistency. And organic variations in neck meat.

[youtube]GRuk0vdoeeg[/youtube]​

Hear the difference? This is why you don't need to lament the recent restrictions placed on Rosewood by the emotionally-challenged barely sentient tree huggers at CITES. Even given the four changes/inconsistencies mentioned, the similarity is remarkable. I'd wager if nobody told you it was two different necks, you'd never know it.

 

[ragamuffin]

Lol at the comments saying that they hear a big difference  :laughing11:

 

[Cagey]

I suppose we have to consider that "big" is a subjective/relative word. I listened to it through an ASUS Xonar Essence ST/STX card feeding a Presonus headphone amp into some Beyerdynamic DT-880 Pro headphones, so I'm pretty sure I heard everything I was supposed to, minus whatever YouTube takes away, which isn't as much as is often complained about. I heard differences, but they were so subtle they aren't worth talking about, and may not have been due to the fretboard wood. The only thing I would describe as "big" about the whole thing is the surprise at how remarkably similar they are.

 

[mayfly]

I sadly only had time to listen to half the video (I'm at work and there's a panic on).

But I could not tell the difference.

 

[rgand]

I liked that video. I did notice a difference and called the three comparisons correctly. BUT I also agree with you, Kevin, that the two really don't make much practical difference and I wouldn't let the fretboard material make or break my buying either one.

 

[mayfly]

Just managed to get time to listen to the end.  I got several blind tests wrong   And the non-blind tests sounded the same to me.

 

[stratamania]

I could hear subtle differences. 

But I think the differences are not enough to lose sleep over.  Like all things in life its down to personal preference at the end of the day which one someone chooses.

 

[T89Rex]

To the extent that I could hear a difference at all, I actually thought the rosewood was brighter. My ears are clearly inside out.