What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

[BrockSamson]

Hey all,

What is the real difference between an ebony fretboard vs. a rosewood one?

I wouldn't think there would be any differences in tone really. I just like the look of ebony better. Wonder if you can stain your fretboard using an ebony wood stain???

 

[JaySwear]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

definitely bit differences in tone. it's all up for debate over how much a fretboard will change your tone, but rosewood is softer and more oily, so it has a warmer feel. ebony is really similar to maple, and is very dry and bright sounding.

you can dye rosewood dark. i just saw an ibanez signature model where the guy had a rosewood fretboard dyed black put on because he liked the feel and sound of rosewood but liked the look of ebony.

EDIT: it was chris broderick

 

[BrockSamson]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

Any idea what he used to dye it / his method?

Or does anyone have their own tried and true method?

 

[breakdanceattiffanys]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

definitely bit differences in tone. it's all up for debate over how much a fretboard will change your tone, but rosewood is softer and more oily, so it has a warmer feel. ebony is really similar to maple, and is very dry and bright sounding.

I've always thought ebony boards played a little faster, smoother, too, but that's just my personal opinion. I like the ebony much better.

 

[BrockSamson]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

I'd prefer ebony, but unfortunately the Jackson Dinky DK2 doesn't come in ebony.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

http://www.stewmac.com/shopby/product/4236

 

[BrockSamson]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

Will that stuff screw up the fake pearl sharkfin inlays that Jackson Dinky's use?

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

Will that stuff screw up the fake pearl sharkfin inlays that Jackson Dinky's use?

Nope, it should wipe right off.

 

[Diego]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

On the product description it says inlays should be masked off.

Interesting...

 

[JaySwear]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

I've always thought ebony boards played a little faster, smoother, too, but that's just my personal opinion. I like the ebony much better.

i definitely agree! i loved rosewood, but ebony just feels great. once i had a guitar with an ebony board i felt like i had been missing something before

 

[Jessie Sammler]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

Will that stuff screw up the fake pearl sharkfin inlays that Jackson Dinky's use?

Mask off the inlays. I used it on an Ibanez with sharktooth inlays. They used to be pearlescent white. Now they're about the color of steel wool.

 

[Jessie Sammler]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

Hey all,

What is the real difference between an ebony fretboard vs. a rosewood one?

I wouldn't think there would be any differences in tone really.

Big difference, to my ears. The guitars I've played with ebony boards have been brighter, with a piercing, singing tone that I don't seem to hear from maple or rosewood. I'm not sure how to describe it; it's something that almost transcends tonal balance. It's really cool, though.

 

[BrockSamson]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

Well the DK2 I'm looking at will be detuned and mostly for lower tones so no matter.

Tho before I gut the thing and harvest it's Duncans, I'll give her a go with the stock setup to see what they sound like.

 

[Jessie Sammler]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

Well the DK2 I'm looking at will be detuned and mostly for lower tones so no matter.

The ebony would still affect the overtones of the low notes, and especially the sounds of the wound strings against the frets.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

Brock, are you implying that detuned, low-toned guitars don't have to sound good?

I'm almost offended by that implication. My detuned, low-toned guitars sound GREAT.

 

[BrockSamson]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

No no no, of course not Empty Pockets!

 

[John_L]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

Not as much as you might think. An Ebony board will give you a bit more spank although not as much as a Maple board will. As for low and detuned (I drop a half step all the time and play in open D a lot) the board doesn't really come into the equation tone wise. But if you are drop tuning with heavy strings (.50+) then you can chew up some Rosewood boards while Ebony will be fine. Indian rosewood which is more expensive will be fine while the force grown streaky bacon type of rosewood will chew up more quickly but then this gets into the area of strings cheap loose wound strings will chew up a board quicker than better strings.
One other thing SRV detuned with heavy strings and always used a rosewood board. No.1 had a veneer board while his others had slab boards.

 

[lp_junkie]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

Ebony feels harder and smoother playing to me, and it is definitely brighter than rosewood.

 

[tonefreak1527]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

Ebony has more clairty, it's great for jazz

 

[Hoboman]

Re: What's the diff. between rosewood and ebony fretboards??

I prefer Ebony but I currently don't have any guitars with Ebony boards.
IMO Ebony requires a little more care. Oil it regularly. I've had two guitars with Ebony boards that developed cracks in them.
I've NEVER had that happen with rosewood.

I currently have a Parker Nitefly being sent to me. It has a Carbon/Glass fretboard. I'm curious as to how it compares to Ebony.