tbonesullivan Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 IMHO rosewood vs ebony is much more of a feel/look difference than a sound difference. they are not that far off in hardness. If you are talking about a bridge or a fingerboard on say a violin, then you are talking about a big difference, but as a fingerboard with metal frets driven into it, I don't see it being a big factor. Of my "herd", 3 guitars have ebony fretboards. 2 have maple fretboards, and the remaining 9 are all rosewood of various colors and textures. Back when I had just carvin guitars, I had all ebony boards, as ebony is the stock material on carvin guitars.
Trouble Posted July 1, 2011 Posted July 1, 2011 I used an ebony, rosewood and TOM bridge on my Super Eagle. When it was plugged in I really did not notice any difference. On an acoustic guitar with a finely graduated top then I think it matters but with a hollow body with set in pickups the tops are not carved for acoustic tone as much so the tone of the bridge wood is not as noticeable. In the end I would always go with the TOM on a Hollow body for the improved intonation. I agree the difference in this type of guitar would probably be so subtle you wouldn't hear it. Going from TOM to wood I think would be a noticable difference but from rosewood and ebony bridge probably not, in theory though ebony would be better than rosewood. I was probably drinkin when I posted, who am I kiddin I'm always drinkin!
yoslate Posted July 1, 2011 Posted July 1, 2011 Mine originally had a rosewood bridge (and I do still have it), but it also arrived with a gold TOM in the case - when I took it in for a level and setup, I decided to try the TOM (the rosewood bridge slots had either worn or were cut too deep). I really did dig the warm woody tone it had before... but on that same note, I also really dug the tone with the TOM on too! I heartily agree! "Knew" I wanted a TOM on my Super Eagle, when I took delivery on it from Jay. Played it for a couple of weeks, and at my first string change, I thought, "Hmmmm...?" Switched out the TOM for the rosewood Jay (or more likely, Graham) had presciently included in the case. Big improvement in the warmth, I thought. Can't imagine going back to the TOM. Intonation just hasn't been a problem.
kbp810 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 I heartily agree! "Knew" I wanted a TOM on my Super Eagle, when I took delivery on it from Jay. Played it for a couple of weeks, and at my first string change, I thought, "Hmmmm...?" Switched out the TOM for the rosewood Jay (or more likely, Graham) had presciently included in the case. Big improvement in the warmth, I thought. Can't imagine going back to the TOM. Intonation just hasn't been a problem. I actually snapped my high E when tuning up today so decided while I was re-stringing I might as well put a wood bridge back on - ended up with rosewood again after all, I think it might have possibly "looked" better with ebony, but couldn't be happier with how it sounds! Boy, I really missed that sweet warm woody tone more than I had realized... no problems with intonation at all either. I'm not sure if I'd go back to the TOM now either. BTW, also put on a set if the Infeld Super Alloy's as per Marty Grass's recent post on them...
Trouble Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 I actually snapped my high E when tuning up today so decided while I was re-stringing I might as well put a wood bridge back on - ended up with rosewood again after all, I think it might have possibly "looked" better with ebony, but couldn't be happier with how it sounds! Boy, I really missed that sweet warm woody tone more than I had realized... no problems with intonation at all either. I'm not sure if I'd go back to the TOM now either. BTW, also put on a set if the Infeld Super Alloy's as per Marty Grass's recent post on them... How much are those? I generally go through a lot of strings so I stay away from really expensive brands.
kbp810 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 How much are those? I generally go through a lot of strings so I stay away from really expensive brands. I believe they were only $10, plus a few bucks for shipping.
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