Strat project - maple or rosewood?

[TattooedCarrot]

I have a couple projects using road worn bodies that I've com across that are really light, a white strat and a yellow tele that's now a telegib. now I'm doing another one with a 3.9 lbs alder road worn strat body in black that I found. Got a Fender fat strat mint pickguard and going to probably load it with a JB2/SSL1/SSL5 combo and black plastic. I also prefer the larger CBS headstock for this one. but I can't decide on the fretboard wood. I was originally looking to do maple, but since doing this mock-up I'm actually leaning towards rosewood. It will be a Warmoth or similar custom neck with vintage tint.

So which do you think?

 

[VaughnC]

For the fretboard wood, I'd let my hands & ears make that decision as the feel & tone of maple & rosewood are different.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

For the fretboard wood, I'd let my hands & ears make that decision as the feel & tone of maple & rosewood are different.

I have both, I'm fine with both. For this project I can't decide on which fits better in regards to the guitar's color scheme.

Thanks.

 

[mikee1]

I think the maple looks much better but I do like the rosewood for feel/play reasons

 

[SMark]

My black Strat has a maple neck, but I also reversed the colors of the plastic. I have a black pickguard with white pickup covers and knobs.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

My black Strat has a maple neck, but I also reversed the colors of the plastic. I have a black pickguard with white pickup covers and knobs.

I did the Gilmoure thing before as well, looks cool, but not so much what I'm looking for.

I also like these, but I do prefer a more vintage hot rod look and am not looking for a modern Charvel style.

 

[notnac]

I prefer maple. If you want it to look dark but like the maple sound try ebony.

 

[davetcan]

I much prefer the look of the rosewood.

 

[K-Line]

I guarantee whichever you choose, it will be awesome! As many have already said, go with what you like as far as tones and feel. I love the tones of a maple neck on an S but like the feel of rosewood, so Pao Ferro it is!

 

[Tidewater Custom Shop]

Whichever neck you choose, the pickguard of MY choice would be:

Black & RW = mint 11 hole
Black & maple = white/parchment 8 hole

 

[dani]

i find alder is usually fine with either rosewood and maple but i'll definitely pair swamp ash with maple.

from your mockup, the maple neck looks delicious.

if i may suggest if you are going warmoth to try a canary/canary vintage modern neck. sounds like maple, looks like aged maple without the need for a finish. the feel of raw wood rocks while saving on finishing.

here's some pics of a canary strat neck on the warmoth forum. http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=16408.0

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Here's a couple more variations.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

And these are the two I'm really liking the best. Hard to choose, but they are opposites and I gotta buy a neck soon, one or the other.....hhhhmmm

 

[Zeon45]

Maple all the way. Black w/maple neck looks classic.

 

[Eminor7]

I have owned Strats and S-style guitars with maple and rosewood boards. I prefer the tone and articulation of a one-piece + skunk stripe maple neck. My lastest Partsocaster has a one-piece + skunk stripe maple neck.

 

[janosfia]

Maple.

 

[Rango]

Own both, play both but... Maple with a little aged toner "looks" better than the rosewood. Maple with some flame - like the pic above - is beautiful - IMHO