Swamp Ash body, Maple/Rosewood neck or Solid Maple neck???

[sbwhitaker]

I'm planning to order a Legacy HB with Swamp Ash body. I was thinking I wanted the Rosewood fretboard, but according to the Suhr guitar website, they don't recommend this combination because it gives too much "sizzle" for many players. I've seen plenty of G&L's with this wood combination and I've never really cared for the feel of maple fretboards. Any advice?

[Miles Smiles]

The only criteria at this point is the look and feel. If you like rosewood more, just buy it!

If the people at Shure are right in general, which I doubt, there's eventually some tone control at the amp, and if not, there's is at least a tone control at the guitar. But maybe you're among the players, which like some sizzle.

[Xochitl]

I have an ash S-500 with RWD fretboard and knew about Suhr's opinion. I'm a little reluctant to have maple fretboards for feel reasons but since reading Suhr's opinion I've been wondering and I guess I'd try an ash/maple combination as soon as I get a good opportunity. Actually I've been playing G&L's maple boards lately at a guitarshop... :gas:

[killerburst]

The option I like for swamp ash if i want a raw-feeling/darker colored/less "sizzly" finger board is pau ferro. I actually have a Suhr with a solid pau ferro neck on a swamp ash body. Sounds amazing.

[Xochitl]

Actually, the thing that I find hard to understand is that rosewood is/was recommended if you wanted a warmer/middier sound and maple was for more treble and spank.

[Miles Smiles]

Actually, the thing that I find hard to understand is that rosewood is/was recommended if you wanted a warmer/middier sound and maple was for more treble and spank.

I think that's because there is no true rule in either direction. Some guitars have a lot of treble, others don't, for some unknown reasons and often just the wood used for the fretboard is obviously different. But if that would be so easy, everyone could build excellent sounding guitars by just choosing the right kind of wood, but I guess there's a lot more, including luck.

[louis cyfer]

my favorite combo is ash and maple, but mainly because i don't like to play on rosewood boards as much. the fretboard itself is one of the smallest contributors to tone, makes a big difference in feel and looks. the neck material makes a bigger difference imnsho than the fretboard as far as tone is concerned, but whatever you prefer is what will sound best, as you'll play better if you are happier, more inspired with the guitar.

[Xochitl]

All my few guitars are different and my two strats (one alder and the other ash) have rosewood fretboards. It doesn't help me comparing the sound difference between boards but I do hear one between an ash body and an alder one. But I'm off topic here.