Strat project - maple or rosewood?

Discussion in 'Guitars in General' started by TattooedCarrot, May 23, 2011.

  1. May 23, 2011 #1
    TattooedCarrot

    TattooedCarrot Supporting Member

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    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?

    [​IMG]
     
    TattooedCarrot, May 23, 2011
    TattooedCarrot, May 23, 2011
    #1
  2. May 23, 2011 #2
    VaughnC

    VaughnC Supporting Member

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    For the fretboard wood, I'd let my hands & ears make that decision as the feel & tone of maple & rosewood are different.
     
    VaughnC, May 23, 2011
    VaughnC, May 23, 2011
    #2
  3. May 23, 2011 #3
    TattooedCarrot

    TattooedCarrot Supporting Member

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    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.
     
    TattooedCarrot, May 23, 2011
    TattooedCarrot, May 23, 2011
    #3
  4. May 23, 2011 #4
    mikee1

    mikee1 Member

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    I think the maple looks much better but I do like the rosewood for feel/play reasons
     
    mikee1, May 23, 2011
    mikee1, May 23, 2011
    #4
  5. May 23, 2011 #5
    SMark

    SMark Member

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    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.
     
    SMark, May 23, 2011
    SMark, May 23, 2011
    #5
  6. May 23, 2011 #6
    TattooedCarrot

    TattooedCarrot Supporting Member

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    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.

    [​IMG]
     
    TattooedCarrot, May 23, 2011
    TattooedCarrot, May 23, 2011
    #6
  7. May 23, 2011 #7
    notnac

    notnac Senior Member

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    I prefer maple. If you want it to look dark but like the maple sound try ebony.
     
    notnac, May 23, 2011
    notnac, May 23, 2011
    #7
  8. May 23, 2011 #8
    davetcan

    davetcan Member

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    I much prefer the look of the rosewood.
     
    davetcan, May 23, 2011
    davetcan, May 23, 2011
    #8
  9. May 23, 2011 #9
    K-Line

    K-Line Vendor

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    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!
     
    K-Line, May 23, 2011
    K-Line, May 23, 2011
    #9
  10. May 23, 2011 #10
    Tidewater Custom Shop

    Tidewater Custom Shop Performance Enhancing Guitarworks Supporting Member

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

    Black & RW = mint 11 hole
    Black & maple = white/parchment 8 hole
     
    Tidewater Custom Shop, May 23, 2011
    Tidewater Custom Shop, May 23, 2011
    #10
  11. May 23, 2011 #11
    dani

    dani Member

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    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
     
    dani, May 23, 2011
    dani, May 23, 2011
    #11
  12. May 23, 2011 #12
    TattooedCarrot

    TattooedCarrot Supporting Member

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    Here's a couple more variations.

    [​IMG]
     
    TattooedCarrot, May 23, 2011
    TattooedCarrot, May 23, 2011
    #12
  13. May 23, 2011 #13
    TattooedCarrot

    TattooedCarrot Supporting Member

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    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

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2011
    TattooedCarrot, May 23, 2011
    TattooedCarrot, May 23, 2011
    #13
  14. May 23, 2011 #14
    Zeon45

    Zeon45 Member

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    Maple all the way. Black w/maple neck looks classic.
     
    Zeon45, May 23, 2011
    Zeon45, May 23, 2011
    #14
  15. May 23, 2011 #15
    Eminor7

    Eminor7 Member

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    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.

    [​IMG]




    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Eminor7, May 23, 2011
    Eminor7, May 23, 2011
    #15
  16. May 23, 2011 #16
    janosfia

    janosfia Member

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    Maple.
     
    janosfia, May 23, 2011
    janosfia, May 23, 2011
    #16
  17. May 23, 2011 #17
    Rango

    Rango Supporting Member

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    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
     
    Rango, May 23, 2011
    Rango, May 23, 2011
    #17

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