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its subtle, but the maple def had more attack.
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*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
To a large degree, I was brought up with guitars from the late 70's and I hated maple necks - Yet having sold so many C/Shop 50's and 60's models I realise both have great attributes and as such I just prefer a good guitar, be it MN or RN - So my hate for 70's maple necks is obviously based on a poor period for Fender, small frets, thick treacle style lacquer and poor playing performance
Today I generally still favour RN on a Strat but MN on a Tele - for whatever reason that is
The relative density of the maple in both necks would also have an input to the tone. And whether round lam or slab too. I think slabs sound more 'rosewood' than round lams.
I always go back to the fact my ears prefer maple, my finger tips prefer rosewood.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
The relative density of the maple in both necks would also have an input to the tone. And whether round lam or slab too. I think slabs sound more 'rosewood' than round lams.
Agree
But there are some Strat colours I like with maple.
I make no apology whatsoever for saying my preferences are purely cosmetic. As far as sound goes I hear some difference but not enough to worry.
However, in my mind's eye, I had a rosewood board 3TSB and that's what I wanted so I guess that makes me a rosewood board man.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
When I went vintage, 50s guitars were beyond my reach - so I went down the rosewood route (I owned a '65 3tsb and a '63 in Fiesta Red). From there on its been rosewood all the way - until I bought my 2006 56 Relic a few weeks ago....
Big (but very comfortable) one piece maple neck, light(ish) ash body - and a tone to die for. Incredible depth of tone - yet clear and 'present' - without ever sounding close to harsh (even on the bridge pick-up).
I genuinely believe it's the best sounding Fender guitar I've ever owned. Whether the 'Maple' element is a significant factor, I don't know - but as a working whole - it's an exceptional guitar.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
To be fair, this often happens, I find....
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
My guess is that it would show the same difference with a separate board as I think I can hear a difference between rosewood and ebony board guitars but I don't know if anyone has experience to bear this out.
This is a great vid, imho and yes I can hear a minute difference - whether or not that would make a difference to a recorded track or a live performance is a bit moot. However, as we've discussed before if the feel of a guitar fits the player, then they will play differently and this will translate into a different sound. Therefore, whether one sounds better or not may depend on your playing disposition.
I fitted it to a late '80s '62 Reissue body - for a a while, it was my main gigging guitar.
It always sounded less bright if the 'very' high end and sweeter/clearer in the mid-range - than rosewood - but obviously there were many factors that contribute to the overall sound of a guitar.
I think there is a tonal similarity with maple neck Strats which you can hear in many players (early MK, EC, later period Gilmour, Richard Thompson, etc). To my ears, those tones sound quite different to (say) SRV, Robert Cray and Chris Rea - even though they all sound obviously 'Stratty'.