Help me decide: Rosewood or Maple board on a Tele

[edward]

I own, play, and enjoy rosewoods and a maple. But I'm currently on a bit of a "casual hunt" for a fun guitar to "fill in the spaces" so to speak between my beloved strat my LP Standard: a Tele (or an ASAT). I know I should play them, hear them, and all that, but I'm looking at low-price fun-factor here (that's still giggable, of course), and my primary desire (here's "shallow" for you) is to get a Tele that Looks Right! So if YOU were looking for a Tele (or ASAT) that is more of a cool axe to have that fulfills the Look of a classic, which would you get: rosewood board or Maple? Any discussion of why you prefer one over the other IS welcome. Thanks!!
:NUTS



Edward

[smallbutmighty]

If you're going for a tele that "looks" right, there's no question: maple.

A

[Garrett Bagby]

Maple all the way! The look is right and it seems to work better than rosewood. I guess the extra snap from the board goes well with the body shape, bridge and pickups.

[guitarmook]

For me, the butterscotch, "early 50s" look needs a maple board.

But - the off-white/cream teles can go either way - green'd guard and rosewood, or one-piece white guard and maple. Candy Apple Red needs rosewood, but Fiesta Red kinda begs for maple... most of the blues need rosewood, but surf green could go both ways. Double-bound customs NEED rosewood.

There's no ONE answer.

[dangerine49]

Maple, of course.

[Don L]

Only the blackguard look excites me for Teles.

[Johnnytone]

Originally Posted by Garrett Bagby

I guess the extra snap from the board goes well with the body shape, bridge and pickups.

[go7]

Maple.

[Miles]

I played 14 Rosewood guitars for 8 years. I just bought a Telecaster last week with a maple neck and I'm in Heaven. I won't go all maple, as both have their advantages. But for telecasters. I say MAPLE!!!! There's not a very noticeable difference in tone or feel for me, but Maple is lower maintenance and doesn't get cracks if dry.

[echobaseone]

Maple, but not the anemic looking maple of the MIM reissues...you want one absolutely slathered in tinted poly gloss!
especially with a butterscotch '52. lovely.
I've got a MIJ '52 in candy apple, with a tortoise pickguard and I think it looks good with maple, but I reckon that has everything to do with the tint.

[angler87]

Maple neck with ash body-

Signature Tele spank and twang. Bright and beautiful.

[pjwill]

I have and appreciate both...and being as the maple folks have been speaking up here, I am going to defend rosewood. IMO it is every bit as "classic" as maple. First, I love the 60's rosewood look and feel. Second, I think that there is a place for the "softer" snap and jangly tone of a 60's style Tele and I gotta have it.

For ultimate snap and twang, maple. But I think rosewood Teles have a tone and feel that is every bit as classic, if not as quintessential, as the maple board blackguard look.

[drod2045]

I prefer rosewood boards over maple, but for a tele (which I want to get eventually), i think Im goin for a maple. it seems to be the classic tele look. But like you said, only playing them will you, and I, find the tele we truly desire.

[backaxe]

Maple

[gkoelling]

Everyone is right...


Maple!

Rosewood!

Maple!

Rosewood!

Personally, I like maple on a tele but as already mentioned, the color sometimes has a little to do with it.

Play both and buy what suits you.