To change (from maple to ebony fretboard) or not to change

[molul]

I'm thinking of building a clone of my current guitar, same electronics but different aesthetics.

This is the current guitar:


For the new one, I know I want a transparent turquoise satin finish on swamp ash. Like this but satin:



Now, I don't know whether to keep the maple neck and black hardware, or try ebony fretboard and chrome hardware.

More precisely, I'm struggling between these options (bodies are blue, but I couldn't find transparent turquoise):

1 - chrome hardware, ebony fretboard, black headstock


2 - chrome hardware, clear headstock, black fretboard (it looks like rosewood, but let's act as it was ebony xD):


3 - black hardware, maple neck and fretboard


Option 3 is the one that I prefer without thinking it too much, but it would be the same as my current guitar, except for the body color change xD

I'm mostly dubious about going for ebony because I've never played a guitar with ebony fretboard, and can't find one in my city guitar shops. I've read it feels very similar to maple, so that sounds good to me.

Just wondering: what would you do?

 

[stratamania]

Out of those options, I would go for the Strat pictured (not sold on the black headstock with turquoise blue body and an ebony board).

Ebony is an excellent fretboard material, I have a few ebony boards and they are amongst my favourites. I would not say it feels like maple, as ebony is not finished and maple usually is. Both are denser woods, of course.

 

[Rick]

Get ebony because the only way you’ll know if you like it is to try it. Nb … there’s a reason ebony has beeen around so long as a fret board wood,

 

[Spud]

Ebony is soo smoooooth

 

[bagman67]

I am a huge fan of ebony's slickness and durability. My first few electrics had maple fingerboards because I just didn't know any difference existed; but once I got an ebony one, it's now a feature I'm happy to pay extra for. I'm not anti-maple or anything like that, but I do like some ebony if it's available.

 

[Spud]

I am a huge fan of ebony's slickness and durability. My first few electrics had maple fingerboards because I just didn't know any difference existed; but once I got an ebony one, it's now a feature I'm happy to pay extra for. I'm not anti-maple or anything like that, but I do like some ebony if it's available.

I find ebony sounds much like maple as far as I can discern. However, it feels even smoother.

 

[molul]

I find ebony sounds much like maple as far as I can discern. However, it feels even smoother.

That's exactly what I wanted to hear

 

[molul]

Hmm... A friend of mine just suggested me to go for roasted maple with ebony fingerboard, so the headstock is a bit darker than regular maple.

I've also never tried a roasted maple neck. I only know it's meant not to be finished. How does it compare to a poly satin finished maple neck?

 

[bruzanhd]

Hmm... A friend of mine just suggested me to go for roasted maple with ebony fingerboard, so the headstock is a bit darker than regular maple.

I've also never tried a roasted maple neck. I only know it's meant not to be finished. How does it compare to a poly satin finished maple neck?

Unfinished maple feels very fast. Texture is similar to satin but it has little to no stickiness when your hands get clammy.

 

[molul]

Aah, that sounds so good. Thank you!

Does roasted maple need any maintenance? Like that lemon oil for ebony fretboards, I mean

 

[ragamuffin]

Roasted maple feels really nice and the maintenance is minimal. RM/ebony would be a winner for me! Like most unfinished woods it might need some cleaning every once in a while and maybe a very light application of lemon oil/mineral oil. "Lemon oil" is mostly just mineral oil plus scent.

 

[stratamania]

I would only recommend at most a wipe on and wipe off cleaning for ebony. In my experience, it does not require more.