This is quite the age old conversation actually (not that you were to know that). Maple's characteristics are that it produces a much lighter, brighter sound than rosewood. Some might say better for slap (I personally think that's crap though). Rosewood is a lot warmer and darker sounding.

Personally, I'd go for either, I'd go for the maple if it was a lighter coloured bass, like white maybe.

Liam :)

I think maple looks nice on dark basses- its the fingerboard im after on my five string when i get it (with a black body)

alex

Yeh, maybe. Check out this though:



I mean, would you say no??

Liam :)

Well ok, it looks great, but i cant stand pearloid pick guards, especially on white basses...

but this is the kinda look i love:

Yeh, I know what you mean. This is my dream bass actually...



I've been looking around for a black Ernie Ball Stingray 5 (second hand) for a while now, just so I can change the pickguard to that tortoise shell style plate.

Liam :)

wooo thats a beaut, i actually like that pickguard even though on most stingray5's the pickguard puts me right off em... I didnt realize you wanted a 5 string? thought u were just going with a 4 string fender to 'do up'?

alex

Yeh, I know...I'm ripping my hair out trying to decide which one. I mean, of course the Stingray will cost me a lot more, but after playing one I've got to say it's the bass for me. I'm still looking at all three choices (Stingray, Stingray 5, Jazz + New J-Retro Preamp) but I'm finding it very hard to choose.

Liam :)

Let there be no confusion. Maple. Maple. Maple.

After only having basses with Rosewood, or Ebony fingerboards since I started playing in 1973,I finally got a bass with a Maple fingerboard. I love it! In 1999,I found a 1979,Made in USA- Precision bass with the Maple fingerboard in an ad in the local classifieds for $100! All I needed to do is put it together.