Do you prefer Ebony fretboards over Rosewood?

Whisperer · May 25th, 2008, 12:58 PM

I'm interested in the pros & cons of each & your experiences with them, if you would care to share them?
Thanks!

Bill · May 25th, 2008, 01:30 PM

I prefer ebony, unless rosewood is traditional for that type of guitar. For instance, I prefer rosewood in a Les Paul Standard, Strat, or Tele because it's traditional compared to ebony.

But for function, I like ebony a lot. It feels slicker to me than maple or rosewood and being harder, doesn't get wear divots as easily as rosewood. It has more of a tendency to be brittle and develop cracks, I suspect because it isn't as naturally oily as rosewood. So you may want to put a drop or two of lemon oil on it once a year if it seems dry. For what it's worth, I've had two acoustics and one electric with ebony fretboards, and no problems with any of them. One of the acoustics is 80 years old. Of course ebony is the traditional fingerboard wood for the violin family, and some of those are hundreds of years old and still going strong.

I especially like ebony on acoustic guitars. I don't know about the sound. Supposedly, rosewood sounds the warmest, maple sounds brighter, and ebony brighter still. I'm not convinced that I hear that, as, to make a true test, I'd have to replace the fretboard on the same guitar with each type of wood.

But it does wear well and to my fingers, feels very smooth. It also feels classy, if that makes any sense.

tiktok · May 25th, 2008, 01:50 PM

All my acoustics have ebony fretboards, but finding an ebony on a Fender guitar takes quite some searching. I can think of one or two Strats over the years, but no Tele's, although there must have been at least one at some point in the 90's.

Update: I see that the Flat Head Tele came with an ebony board, and it was an option on the John Jourgenson and Nokie Edwards models.

Oster · May 25th, 2008, 02:00 PM

I love ebony fretboards. My Telecaster has one as does my Ovation acoustic as well as my old Harmony archtop. With mother of pearl markers, it's a striking effect.

I like rosewood boards but I like the rosewood to be that darker reddish kind with the heavier grain (brazilian?).

I don't like the type of chalky rosewood that you see out there on most new budget/mid-priced guitars.

Like was said, ebony does need regular conditioning (use lemon oil) to stave off cracks. As with every other subject under the sun there's disagreement on the effectiveness of this but I've been doing it for years now and it works for me.

Joe-Bob · May 25th, 2008, 02:08 PM

Ebony has the best feel of all of them.

Whisperer · May 25th, 2008, 02:28 PM

Thanks guys.

I've heard that putting new frets on down the road can be problematic and more expensive , because of cracking etc.

Any thoughts on that?

Do you think there are any reasons why rosewood would be prefered over ebony other than personal preference?

octatonic · May 25th, 2008, 02:45 PM

Prefer Ebony?

For playing, yes.
For working on/building, no.

Mike Bruce · May 25th, 2008, 03:53 PM

Prefer ebony and have it on all my acoustics, but never had it on electrics, though I'd like it. All my electrics are rosewood which is just fine, I dislike maple. For my it's part appearance, part feel.

Mike Bruce

Frank B · May 25th, 2008, 04:14 PM

Ebony vs rosewood ? Ebony. Smoother & looks much better.

CatfishStudios · May 25th, 2008, 04:23 PM

I have an 89 Epiphone Spotlight...has a black board on it..did they have ebonite than? Not sure if its ebony, dyed rosewood or ebonite...

J-man · May 25th, 2008, 04:24 PM

Maple.

trag-o-caster · May 25th, 2008, 04:28 PM

In the heat of the moment, with my eyes closed, I really couldn't care if it's rosewood, ebony, or maple, but there are subtle differences. I have a tendency to crave rosewood for Strat necks, just because it "supposedly" warms up the tone just a smidge. I like maple for Tele necks because of the "supposed" added snap and twang. I've had a Les Paul Custom with an ebony board, and a few other ebony board guitars. It seems to have more of a maple board-like response, as opposed to a rosewood sound and feel. Ebony is just too luxurious for me. Too fancy-schmancy.

hotgoalie11565 · May 25th, 2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whisperer

Thanks guys.

I've heard that putting new frets on down the road can be problematic and more expensive , because of cracking etc.

Any thoughts on that?

Do you think there are any reasons why rosewood would be prefered over ebony other than personal preference?

Cost may also be an issue for some. Rosewood and its close relative, pao ferro, tend to be cheaper than ebony.

dobrodoc · May 25th, 2008, 07:32 PM

I re-fretted a Martin D-35, years ago, using a 12" flat bastard file, a pair of wire cutters, a claw hammer, and a quart of George Dickel white label. No problems with the ebony, but the Dickel made me forget about the binding, so the first couple of frets kinda broke through...

Nick JD · May 25th, 2008, 08:43 PM

Australian desert hardwoods. I like these two, mainly because anyone would think there were only three types of tree.

Mulga

Gidgee

OutlawSteph1975 · May 25th, 2008, 09:51 PM

1. ebony
2. rosewood
3. maple

Sacrilege, I know.

Tarnisher · May 25th, 2008, 10:14 PM

Yes.

I've never personally noticed the sound difference so much, but it feels much nicer under my fingers. Rosewood has a looser grain, and I really don't like the way it feels when bending strings.

That said, the guitar I'm playing the most these days has a RW board, but it's a good one, so it's tight enough that I can deal with it. I'm also considering buying a Gretsch Electromatic, and the ones I've played have the nicest RW boards I've ever played. Still, it doesn't feel quite as nice as my Larrivee's ebony board.

MulliganChebichev · May 25th, 2008, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiktok

All my acoustics have ebony fretboards, but finding an ebony on a Fender guitar takes quite some searching.

Jim Root's Tele has'em

Don't know about functionality, but I like the deep blackness of Ebony, works well with many color schemes.

RodeoTex · May 25th, 2008, 10:32 PM

I've built a few Zemaitis copies and have come to the conclusion, as stated above, that ebony just feels classy.

Despite the difficulty in working with it, someday when I get around to building myself my '59 LP it will have an ebony neck, period correct or not.

alexpigment · May 27th, 2008, 01:04 PM

Rodeo, you aren't the guitarist for the Lemurs are you? I've only seen one dude in Austin play one of those.

RodeoTex · June 1st, 2008, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexpigment

Rodeo, you aren't the guitarist for the Lemurs are you? I've only seen one dude in Austin play one of those.

Nope, that wasn't me. I'm a better builder than player, thus I don't get out much.

Sleph · June 2nd, 2008, 12:57 AM

+1...ebony

Quote:

I've heard that putting new frets on down the road can be problematic and more expensive , because of cracking etc.

I think this is mainly a problem for mass producers because they often use machines that press all the frets in at once which can cause cracking and seating problems.

Also I have read that ebony can tend to shrink a little more than some other woods in extreme temperature and humidity but I haven't experienced that with any of my guitars.

If done properly ebony certainly feels & looks the best to me.

May 25th, 2008, 12:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
Whisperer Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: . Age: 40 Posts: 280	Do you prefer Ebony fretboards over Rosewood? I'm interested in the pros & cons of each & your experiences with them, if you would care to share them? Thanks!

May 25th, 2008, 01:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bill Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 2,656 58 Photos	I prefer ebony, unless rosewood is traditional for that type of guitar. For instance, I prefer rosewood in a Les Paul Standard, Strat, or Tele because it's traditional compared to ebony. But for function, I like ebony a lot. It feels slicker to me than maple or rosewood and being harder, doesn't get wear divots as easily as rosewood. It has more of a tendency to be brittle and develop cracks, I suspect because it isn't as naturally oily as rosewood. So you may want to put a drop or two of lemon oil on it once a year if it seems dry. For what it's worth, I've had two acoustics and one electric with ebony fretboards, and no problems with any of them. One of the acoustics is 80 years old. Of course ebony is the traditional fingerboard wood for the violin family, and some of those are hundreds of years old and still going strong. I especially like ebony on acoustic guitars. I don't know about the sound. Supposedly, rosewood sounds the warmest, maple sounds brighter, and ebony brighter still. I'm not convinced that I hear that, as, to make a true test, I'd have to replace the fretboard on the same guitar with each type of wood. But it does wear well and to my fingers, feels very smooth. It also feels classy, if that makes any sense. __________________ B i l l B a e c k A journal of our year in London

May 25th, 2008, 01:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
tiktok Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 3,864	All my acoustics have ebony fretboards, but finding an ebony on a Fender guitar takes quite some searching. I can think of one or two Strats over the years, but no Tele's, although there must have been at least one at some point in the 90's. Update: I see that the Flat Head Tele came with an ebony board, and it was an option on the John Jourgenson and Nokie Edwards models. __________________ It takes two people to paint a perfect painting: one to paint it, and the other to shoot him when it's done. http://www.myspace.com/travishartnett http://www.myspace.com/sugarcanemutiny http://www.myspace.com/davidbavas

May 25th, 2008, 02:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Oster Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Latveria Age: 39 Posts: 2,635	I love ebony fretboards. My Telecaster has one as does my Ovation acoustic as well as my old Harmony archtop. With mother of pearl markers, it's a striking effect. I like rosewood boards but I like the rosewood to be that darker reddish kind with the heavier grain (brazilian?). I don't like the type of chalky rosewood that you see out there on most new budget/mid-priced guitars. Like was said, ebony does need regular conditioning (use lemon oil) to stave off cracks. As with every other subject under the sun there's disagreement on the effectiveness of this but I've been doing it for years now and it works for me. __________________ "What would we do baby, without us?" Play On.

May 25th, 2008, 02:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Joe-Bob Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dallas, Texas Age: 46 Posts: 3,876	Ebony has the best feel of all of them. __________________ Music is the language of God.

May 25th, 2008, 02:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
Whisperer Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: . Age: 40 Posts: 280	Thanks guys. I've heard that putting new frets on down the road can be problematic and more expensive , because of cracking etc. Any thoughts on that? Do you think there are any reasons why rosewood would be prefered over ebony other than personal preference?

May 25th, 2008, 02:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
octatonic Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2007 Location: An Australian in London. Posts: 1,651	Prefer Ebony? For playing, yes. For working on/building, no. __________________ "A jazz musician is a juggler who uses harmonies instead of oranges." Benny Green

May 25th, 2008, 03:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mike Bruce Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Goderich Posts: 263	Prefer ebony and have it on all my acoustics, but never had it on electrics, though I'd like it. All my electrics are rosewood which is just fine, I dislike maple. For my it's part appearance, part feel. Mike Bruce

May 25th, 2008, 04:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
Frank B Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quebec city, canada Posts: 315 10 Photos	Ebony vs rosewood ? Ebony. Smoother & looks much better. __________________ "Don't play what's there, play what's not there.” Miles Davis

May 25th, 2008, 04:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
CatfishStudios Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon , United States Age: 33 Posts: 727	I have an 89 Epiphone Spotlight...has a black board on it..did they have ebonite than? Not sure if its ebony, dyed rosewood or ebonite...

May 25th, 2008, 04:24 PM	#11 (permalink)
J-man Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Wales/Scarborough Age: 20 Posts: 6,261 9 Photos	Maple. __________________ Write a wise saying and your name will live forever. - Unknown "The large print giveth and the small print taketh away." - Tom Waits

May 25th, 2008, 04:28 PM	#12 (permalink)
trag-o-caster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Flushing, Michigan Posts: 4,558	In the heat of the moment, with my eyes closed, I really couldn't care if it's rosewood, ebony, or maple, but there are subtle differences. I have a tendency to crave rosewood for Strat necks, just because it "supposedly" warms up the tone just a smidge. I like maple for Tele necks because of the "supposed" added snap and twang. I've had a Les Paul Custom with an ebony board, and a few other ebony board guitars. It seems to have more of a maple board-like response, as opposed to a rosewood sound and feel. Ebony is just too luxurious for me. Too fancy-schmancy. __________________ Timothy Jon Lamb

May 25th, 2008, 07:32 PM	#14 (permalink)
dobrodoc Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ware Shoals, S.C. Age: 53 Posts: 385	I re-fretted a Martin D-35, years ago, using a 12" flat bastard file, a pair of wire cutters, a claw hammer, and a quart of George Dickel white label. No problems with the ebony, but the Dickel made me forget about the binding, so the first couple of frets kinda broke through...

May 25th, 2008, 08:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
Nick JD Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2007 Location: North NSW, Australia Age: 36 Posts: 2,496	Australian desert hardwoods. I like these two, mainly because anyone would think there were only three types of tree. Mulga Gidgee __________________

May 25th, 2008, 09:51 PM	#16 (permalink)
OutlawSteph1975 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,849 7 Photos	1. ebony 2. rosewood 3. maple Sacrilege, I know.

May 25th, 2008, 10:14 PM	#17 (permalink)
Tarnisher Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Brooklyn Age: 29 Posts: 214	Yes. I've never personally noticed the sound difference so much, but it feels much nicer under my fingers. Rosewood has a looser grain, and I really don't like the way it feels when bending strings. That said, the guitar I'm playing the most these days has a RW board, but it's a good one, so it's tight enough that I can deal with it. I'm also considering buying a Gretsch Electromatic, and the ones I've played have the nicest RW boards I've ever played. Still, it doesn't feel quite as nice as my Larrivee's ebony board. __________________ http://profile.myspace.com/thetarnishers

May 25th, 2008, 10:32 PM	#19 (permalink)
RodeoTex Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,257	I've built a few Zemaitis copies and have come to the conclusion, as stated above, that ebony just feels classy. Despite the difficulty in working with it, someday when I get around to building myself my '59 LP it will have an ebony neck, period correct or not. __________________ Turn it on, turn it up, turn me loose.

May 27th, 2008, 01:04 PM	#20 (permalink)
alexpigment Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Austin TX Posts: 329	Rodeo, you aren't the guitarist for the Lemurs are you? I've only seen one dude in Austin play one of those.