Rosewood boards sound the same as maple

[chillidoggy]

Ply would look weird and the frets would pop out of balsa.

Indeed, but hopefully you see the point? It's cobblers and we all know it.

[Sporky_McGuffin]

I'm inclined to think that a great many factors contribute to the sound of a guitar and that it's pointless worrying to this extent about any one of them.

[Basher]

they certainly sounded different to me.

I suppose they sounded a bit different to me too but not in a "the first one is dark and warm and the second is bright and shimmery" kind of way.

Don't forget that these have totally different pickups and electrics, possibly body timbers and that one weighs 1.5lb more and is over 20 years older than the other.

Maybe my hearing is awful but I just can't see any scenario where I would strongly prefer the sound of one over the other. All that I can hear is the cacky playing and that is something I should be able to influence...

[chillidoggy]

I'm inclined to think that a great many factors contribute to the sound of a guitar and that it's pointless worrying to this extent about any one of them.

My point entirely Sporky, And now, having run out of rum, well the bottle has finished, I must bow out disgracefully because I'm so pissed I can hardly see. Thank fuck for predictive

Text.

[muffmuffin]

I'm inclined to think that a great many factors contribute to the sound of a guitar and that it's pointless worrying to this extent about any one of them.

Great point! For everybody else: there is this - http://www.petelacis.com/2010/07/08/...h-audio-clips/
...and loads of videos on YouTube. n'Joy!

[monquixote]

Great point! For everybody else: there is this - http://www.petelacis.com/2010/07/08/...h-audio-clips/
...and loads of videos on YouTube. n'Joy!

Great link thanks

[ICBM]

I think this is yet another of those things where there is a real difference, but it's quite hard to identify as a listener - its more obvious to the player, and if you're aware of it, it will change how you perceive the tone you're producing when you play. To me it's more in the attack of the note than the sustained part, maple is 'snappier'.

The difference between ebony and rosewood is larger and is audible to a listener as well - even to the point that I think you can probably tell in a recording.

It's very easy to be dismissive and say none of these things make any difference - especially if you're going to use something like twanging an open B string in a non-musical way and recording it with a camcorder as "proof" , but most players *know* there is a difference for a good reason, and it can be shown in a proper test.

I'd be the first to say that there are some parts of "accepted guitar wisdom" that are wrong, and can be shown to be so in a properly-done test, and others that are right even when the "technical" opinion says they shouldn't be... but you need to start off with an open mind, not an attitude.

[bochetagrave]

I don't have 2 guitars that are exactly the - same composition (apart from FB woodl) - both set up exactly the same, to compare, so I dunno. My ears are fucked anyway, so I doubt I could tell.. They DO feel different, though!
But, hey, people like to argue...

[TheGuitarWeasel]

I'm of the belief that there are so many things that change the tone of a guitar that if you can notice a fingerboard ..... good luck to you, you probably hear the leaded solder and the magic pixie dust used in the construction too. I have had someone complain their four conductor humbuckers (not my own brand) were too harsh and wanted them converted to 'vintage' braided cable. I pointed out there was no need as it would make no difference except to look ... but he insisted. So I stripped duly converted them ... now he is as happy as Larry and says they sound fantastic. They are exactly the bloody same ... he has simply convinced himself otherwise.

[folkyblokey]

It's very easy to be dismissive and say none of these things make any difference - especially if you're going to use something like twanging an open B string in a non-musical way and recording it with a camcorder as "proof" , but most players *know* there is a difference for a good reason, and it can be shown in a proper test.

I'm not so sure the problem is whether or not there is a difference. I can just hear a difference, but I can compensate for that difference by using the rest of my gear. A little too bright cos it's a maple board - roll off treble on the amp and or add some bass. Too warm? increase mid or treble.