Hi. I have a 2005 Mexican Strat with a rosewood fretboard and with the new CITES law, I'm curious what the advantages and disadvantages of having rosewood are. I love my guitar. I don't want to trade it for anything. I'm just curious what others think generally. Does rosewood now make my guitar that much more special?
Rosewood vs Pau Ferro
- Thread starter mexstrat
- Start date
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Rosewood vs Pau Ferro
It would be Indian Rosewood on your guitar...not Brazilian Rosewood.
Indian Rosewood is a great tone wood.
But in a fine guitar, Brazilian sounds even better.
It would be Indian Rosewood on your guitar...not Brazilian Rosewood.
Indian Rosewood is a great tone wood.
But in a fine guitar, Brazilian sounds even better.
Re: Rosewood vs Pau Ferro
Personally, I couldn't pick one or the other out in a blind test. There are tons of species of woods that are dark and add a warmer tone. Rosewood sticks around because of tradition, but I have no doubt that Pau Ferro or another wood would be equally as good as a fingerboard.
Personally, I couldn't pick one or the other out in a blind test. There are tons of species of woods that are dark and add a warmer tone. Rosewood sticks around because of tradition, but I have no doubt that Pau Ferro or another wood would be equally as good as a fingerboard.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Rosewood vs Pau Ferro
From my very limited experience...Brazilian Rosewood tends to be prettier/better looking wood grain.
I've played some killer acoustics with both types...both sounded amazing. I would not be able to tell the difference between them with a blindfold.
From my very limited experience...Brazilian Rosewood tends to be prettier/better looking wood grain.
I've played some killer acoustics with both types...both sounded amazing. I would not be able to tell the difference between them with a blindfold.
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Rosewood vs Pau Ferro
I think you could with a little more experience with Brazilian. I can. But I have had two wonderful Brazilian dreadnaughts. Still have one of them.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Rosewood vs Pau Ferro
Maybe but my Martin CEO-7 is my main acoustic and I won't be in the market for another acoustic for a loooong time...it has Mahogany sides and back.
Maybe but my Martin CEO-7 is my main acoustic and I won't be in the market for another acoustic for a loooong time...it has Mahogany sides and back.
Re: Rosewood vs Pau Ferro
If you took a whole guitar made from one vs the other, then you could expect to hear some differences almost no matter the pickups if you were playing a good amp.
However the fretboard is only part of the whole......and the other construction elements all put their 'filter' on. In some cases you could get very different fretboards sounding identical as a whole guitar.
In other cases the same wood blanks from the same tree can sound quite different.
Plus anywhere inbetween.
There are no 'advantages or disadvantages' for one wood vs another if you're talking just playing a guitar.
If you are planning on overseas trips with it then there is the only caveat
If you took a whole guitar made from one vs the other, then you could expect to hear some differences almost no matter the pickups if you were playing a good amp.
However the fretboard is only part of the whole......and the other construction elements all put their 'filter' on. In some cases you could get very different fretboards sounding identical as a whole guitar.
In other cases the same wood blanks from the same tree can sound quite different.
Plus anywhere inbetween.
There are no 'advantages or disadvantages' for one wood vs another if you're talking just playing a guitar.
If you are planning on overseas trips with it then there is the only caveat
allbutromeo
New member
Re: Rosewood vs Pau Ferro
Anderton's just put this video out a few days ago comparing Pau Ferro vs Rosewood Strats
https://youtu.be/w9lX2g5l0zc
Anderton's just put this video out a few days ago comparing Pau Ferro vs Rosewood Strats
https://youtu.be/w9lX2g5l0zc
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Rosewood vs Pau Ferro
I think a really good player can usually tell the difference. The audience or the microphone...not.
But it's the player looking to be inspired by his or her guitar.
The audience just knows if they like it or not.
I think a really good player can usually tell the difference. The audience or the microphone...not.
But it's the player looking to be inspired by his or her guitar.
The audience just knows if they like it or not.
Re: Rosewood vs Pau Ferro
From a Woodworker's perspective:
Pau ferro is a little less dark, more orange and mocha whereas Indian RW is more chocolate.
Brazilian is a bit Wilder.
Tonally, Brazilian is most balanced,with Indian the warmest and Pau ferro brightest.
Wenge and ovangkol are great substitutions for brw.
From a Woodworker's perspective:
Pau ferro is a little less dark, more orange and mocha whereas Indian RW is more chocolate.
Brazilian is a bit Wilder.
Tonally, Brazilian is most balanced,with Indian the warmest and Pau ferro brightest.
Wenge and ovangkol are great substitutions for brw.
YeRedHouseOverYonder
New member
Re: Rosewood vs Pau Ferro
^ +1 Pau Ferro is brighter than Indian Rosewood. It also feels similar to Ebony. Bends are really smooth. Looks great too.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
^ +1 Pau Ferro is brighter than Indian Rosewood. It also feels similar to Ebony. Bends are really smooth. Looks great too.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
LtKojak
New member
RayBarbeeMusic
New member
Re: Rosewood vs Pau Ferro
Interesting. I could hear the difference immediately, it was obvious which was which. But then, some folks can't tell chocolate from rocky road.
Interesting. I could hear the difference immediately, it was obvious which was which. But then, some folks can't tell chocolate from rocky road.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Rosewood vs Pau Ferro
"Pau Ferro" sounds more exotic, go with that one.
"Pau Ferro" sounds more exotic, go with that one.
toowrongfoo
New member
Re: Rosewood vs Pau Ferro
I feel like with the example that the Pau Ferro is a bit more distinguishable. Color me crazy. I wouldn't throw either one out of bed.
I feel like with the example that the Pau Ferro is a bit more distinguishable. Color me crazy. I wouldn't throw either one out of bed.
