Did Fender invent the maple fretboard?
- Thread starter dlew919
- Start date
Engine Swap
Friend of Leo's
I have a 50's archtop with a maple fretboard
More than 100 years ago it was fairly common to put maple fingerboards on lower priced cellos.
They got French polished black though.
Can’t specifically recall what age guitars I’ve seen maple boards on.
They got French polished black though.
Can’t specifically recall what age guitars I’ve seen maple boards on.
Let's face it, Fender invented everything that is good. ;0)
Engine Swap
Friend of Leo's
57/58 I believe...
Here’s a good read on the subject:https://stringjoy.com/guitar-fretboard-woods/
superjam144
Tele-Afflicted
Leo got it right... Every dang time. 
61fury
Friend of Leo's
I want to know if Fender invented string trees.
Did anyone else before cut their neck out of one piece of wood that lacked the headstock tilt?
Did anyone else before cut their neck out of one piece of wood that lacked the headstock tilt?
LOSTVENTURE
Friend of Leo's
Leo was putting together a lot of existing components into one exquisite instrument. But, being an engineer, he was keeping everything as simple, and functional as possible. And a single piece neck is as simple as it gets.
If that does not define the Tele, I don't know what does.
If that does not define the Tele, I don't know what does.
I was going to say, some of the old department store guitars had maple boards going back to the 30's.I have a 50's archtop with a maple fretboard
Peegoo
Doctor of Teleocity
Many banjos had maple necks/fretboards, back into the 1800s.
As the story goes, Leo was watching some hillbilly TV show where the band was playing Fenders, and the maple fretboards were worn and blotchy-lookin'. Bad for brand image.
The next day, Leo met with his leadership team at the factory and that's when they moved to rosewood.
As the story goes, Leo was watching some hillbilly TV show where the band was playing Fenders, and the maple fretboards were worn and blotchy-lookin'. Bad for brand image.
The next day, Leo met with his leadership team at the factory and that's when they moved to rosewood.
Leo Fender invented everything that is good.
Sax-son
Tele-Afflicted
I wonder what Leo would say today regarding all these "relic" guitars.
radiocaster
Poster Extraordinaire
Bulgarian guitar. Maple fretboard painted black. (Dealer photo, but I know about that model)
Not sure of the date, but could be as late as 80s. 80s East European guitars look like 60s guitars from elsewhere.
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jvin248
Doctor of Teleocity
.
Violins have had maple necks since the 1600s. They used ebony fingerboards for improved wear, having no frets.
I expect that along the centuries since then someone put maple fretboards on their violin builds (and probably stained the maple dark).
Violins have had maple necks since the 1600s. They used ebony fingerboards for improved wear, having no frets.
I expect that along the centuries since then someone put maple fretboards on their violin builds (and probably stained the maple dark).
Ca. 1520
He would happily cash the checks and buy a bigger boat.
