ebony or maple...i can't decide...

[XSSIVE]

I'm again having a problem making up my own mind and come to you all for a vote. it's time to change up the look and feel of one of my strats (i also want a 22nd fret and larger size frets...med jumbo vs. vintage which it has) now the problem is what to go with...all maple neck or maple neck with ebony fingerboard? here is the guitar in question...

-Mike

 

[theodie]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

I love ebony!!! Plus I think it will look smashing on that axe!! I love the slick feel of ebony fretboards and it will be easier to do maintence on than maple.

 

[Kac]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

I think a maple fretboard would be beautiful on that guitar, I love the feel and sound of Maple
Rock On :smoker:

 

[MikeRocker]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

It really depends what you are shooting for. Maple is certainly more traditional. Ebony is nice, but you should put lemon oil on it maybe once or twice a year to keep it from drying out. Are you going to finish it yourself? I have to vote maple as I'm a traditionalist, but you won't go wrong with either. And whichever way you choose, the guitar will certainly sound brighter!

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

I tend to think that ebony sounds a bit too bright and precise on strat-style guitars. To me, ebony works on guitars with mahogany bodies. I'd go for maple on that guitar, which will be bright but not too sterile. I love the sunburst/maple look, too. My 76:

 

[Armotron]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

Hot Grits, how do u get a strat to look like that, throw it against the wall, shave it with a knife, run over it with ur car, or just play it for a long ass time?

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

That ain't no relic. That's real wear. I know the previous two owners, but most of the wear happened prior to them getting hold of it. I assume someone gigged it HARD for about 20 years.

 

[B2D]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

I prefer ebony over maple... it looks great and feels even better and I prefer the sound as well.

 

[gripweed]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

I guess I'm in the minoriry here. I like the snap in the sound of maple. :alcoholic

 

[Loserchief]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

i'd use ebony for the fretboard. If you are giong for warmoth you may consider to get the whole neck and fingerboard out of ebony(i love the fe of it),but i'm unsure whether this would fit tonewise with the stratbody

 

[DirrtyCraig]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

I tend to think that ebony sounds a bit too bright and precise on strat-style guitars. To me, ebony works on guitars with mahogany bodies. I'd go for maple on that guitar, which will be bright but not too sterile. I love the sunburst/maple look, too. My 76:

Damn, now thats the way a strat should look. My '89 PRS looks ALMOST as bad,, ALMOST,, LOL.

 

[mongrollo]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

I've voted ebony. I like much more the feel of a wood under my fingers that the laquer. Apart from that I don't see any reason for what the ebony will have any complicacion in a strat.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

I think you should definitely go with ebony!! It's something different for a strat, and from what I've heard it's a little less bright than maple.. but maybe that depends on the guitar's body too.

 

[nuntius]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

Damn, now thats the way a strat should look. My '89 PRS looks ALMOST as bad,, ALMOST,, LOL.

Guitars are meant to be played not looked at!

I vote maple for a strat

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

I think you should definitely go with ebony!! It's something different for a strat, and from what I've heard it's a little less bright than maple.. but maybe that depends on the guitar's body too.

ebony is brighter than maple in my experience.

 

[Mkf411]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

Haven't seen ebony on Fender Style guitar. I'd have to go maple.

The one in the picture at the very top, looks rosewood.

The beat up strat looks great with maple.

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

thanks for all the input and votes guys...i'm still tossing up ideas...i may also have the guitar refinished and get a new neck for a whole new look, feel and sound...still debating...

-Mike

 

[Sprinter]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

My personal favorite is rosewood. Since it's not an option, I voted for Maple.


Sprinter

 

[BluesNRock87]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

i have 1 guitar with a maple fretboard (the godin), and 1 with a mahog or rosewood (the martin, i forget), and have played a few ebony boards. While i think it would be cool to have an ebony board guitar, i dont think the strat is the right guitar to do it on. I personally prefer the feel of maple to ebony, and also i like the maple tone in a strat type guitar. Think hendrix, or clapton, they both had maple necks and boards on the strats. When i saw john mayer, he was using one too (i really like his eletric bluesy tone). Just my 2cents

 

[Tom M]

Re: ebony or maple...i can't decide...

What about getting some leather dye and just darkening the rosewood?

You can do that?! Tell me more...