Which is better?
The maple versus rosewood fretboard debate rages on, but Joe Bonamassa settles the score: Fender Stratocasters with maple fretboards reign supreme!
It’s the ultimate showdown for electric guitar enthusiasts: maple vs. rosewood. The heated debate rages on, with rosewood aficionados touting its cozy feel and warm sound, while maple mavens swear by its crisp, punchy notes. Which side are you on?
JoBo knows that when it comes to playing a Strat, the extra oomph of a maple fretboard is the secret sauce to his bluesy sound. According to the guitar guru himself, rosewood may be fine for some, but it just can’t deliver that signature “Stevie Ray Vaughan-type sound”.
“Strats were first offered with maple fingerboards, and, starting in 1959, the guitars were available with rosewood fingerboards,” Bonamassa wrote in his latest Guitar World column. “One can argue that a rosewood ‘board results in more of a Stevie Ray Vaughan-type sound.
“I always refer to maple-neck Strats as the ‘Buddy Holly’ guitar,” he continued, “and great players such as Eric Johnson, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix are also well known for playing maple neck Strats.
“Personally, I’m more of a maple-fretboard Strat player. To my ears, the notes jump off it in a different way, as compared to a rosewood ‘board.”
Bonamassa takes a diplomatic approach to the debate between maple and rosewood, acknowledging that some players strongly prefer one over the other, but considering each guitar individually.
It is easy to find photos or videos of Bonamassa playing a rosewood-equipped Strat, which adds to the argument that there is no definitive answer.
Strats and Telecasters are commonly debated for their use of maple versus rosewood, as there are many options available for both types of players.
It is unclear if Bonamassa will apply his maple philosophy to this platform, but pairing maple wood and a Tele could enhance the twang of the notes being played.
While Bonomassa’s approach may be impressive, Jason Isbell marches to the beat of his own guitar strings. In an interview with MusicRadar, Isbell declared his love for rosewood, citing its ability to add a touch of softness to his music.
Attention all aspiring guitarists! The Telecaster-wielding guitar guru suggests starting your musical journey on a rosewood fingerboard. Apparently, there’s a forgiving quality about rosewood that’ll make even the clumsiest of beginners feel like rockstars.
Ok, Ok… time to weigh in here. The truth is, on an electric guitar, fretboard material, open-grained wood, oily wood, various types of wood, brown color, one-piece maple neck, grain patterns, body wood, Indian rosewood, and various popular choices, common types, roasted maple fretboards, blah blah blah, literally NONE of that matters on an electric guitar. I’m sorry, but, quite literally, it is the pickups that make 98% of the difference. the only differences you may notice as different amounts of sustain from the type of bridge you use, tuning stability from how the nut slots are made and which tuners you use, and there may be a warmer tone if the guitar is chambered, or semi-hollow, but aside from that, pickups make 98% of the difference, and aside from plugging it into a computer and analyzing the soundwaves, you will literally not notice a difference the vast majority of the time between one or the other.
What really matters when it comes to necks, is how YOU feel when you play that guitar! some people like sticky necks, some people like slick necks, some people want thick necks, and others want thin necks, all of that is player preference, and does not affect tone, at ALL in an electric guitar. However, it ABSOLUTELY does affect an acoustic guitar.
LET THE HATE MAIL BEGIN!
With that said, when ordering a custom guitar from us, you can absolutely choose whatever type of wood you wish for the neck, however, we believe that it is aesthetic only.
With that said, WE LOVE YOU, JBO
