By now most of you know that do to illegal cutting of rosewood trees certain rosewood is illegal to own. Anyone with a rosewood neck can have their guitar confiscated at the border of most countries.
Fender charges a premium on rosewood necks and does not use rosewood on MIM guitars.
There is in fact legal and reasonably abundant rosewood in India but exporting and importing guitars is a lengthy and pricey process.Worse still without your own paperwork crossing a border is very bad idea. You can get the required documents but it is a frustrating lengthy and expensive process and being delayed at the border even with the right documentation is a very lengthy procedure.
Some companies are now switching to ebony. Oddly ebony was 'the' wood to have on your guitar in 50's. It was more difficult to work with and much more expensive. Jazz players would poke fun at players with rosewood as it was not considered pro. LOLOthers like Fender are using Pau Ferro. It looks like rosewood but is much harder. in short ...why bother no one is fooled. Some are using ebony. I feel ebony will eventually regain it's status of the 50's. it is just a matter of time.
Gibson during the 70's used maple on the Les Paul's. By a process of baking the wood they turned it dark enough that most player bought the guitars with no idea it was not rosewood.
So what about maple. Many players hate it. They hate the feel of both a very hard and finished wood.
BUT IS MAPLE ...A BETTER FINGERBOARD
Well I have 6 guitars 3 in each wood. I find the maple vastly superior. Why?
First it adds a nice crisp snap to your high end.
More important it does not have any drag. ...Drag??? Yes rosewood is very porous and when you bend a note or are using finger vibrato the grain causes friction and kills a better and smoother bend.
Go to 4:20 and let Eric explain his argument in favor of maple.
Like Eric I found this to be true years ago. Bonus! I could buy nice old guitars cheap. LOL
Not only that on many guitars maple just looks dead cool. Especially Black. red and the old 50's blues and greens.
Very nicely written blog. Wood selection is very important part of guitar making. In this blog you explain it very well and is helpful to understand the effect of wood on guitar. I always wanted to know the best option among Pau Ferro vs Rosewood and Maple.
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