rosewood or ebony fretboard/bridge on an H575

[LH575]

So, I have a Heritage H575 on order. ES-175 shape, solid maple top, sides, and back, mahogany neck, Seth Lover PUs.

 

I keep going back and forth on what material to get the fretboard made from - ebony or rosewood. Seriously, this is a daily battle. I'm obsessed. 

 

I'm not much of a jazz player, but this will be my "jazz" guitar. I will play some lightly distorted blues on it also.

 

I know rosewood is supposed to be warmer, but mow much difference does this really make?

 

I have an H555, which is like a ES-335, with maple top, back, and sides, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard and tunomatic bridge. I can get that to play as warm and mellow as can be or peel-the-paint-off-the-walls bright.

 

So something tells me it really doesn't make all that much difference. Maybe in terms of note decay, but not so much in tone, but I've been wrong before.

 

Any opinions?

 

Thanks,

LH

[Windstring]

Hi LH,

I think you should trust your instincts, namely that the fretboard wood is not a major factor in tone. Ebony is harder and will probably stand up to wear better than rosewood, and it may impart a slightly crisper tone, but you will generate more differences by your choice of string type, gauge and your pick attack. You will note that some of the most expensive and sought after vintage guitars (e.g Les Paul Standards, ES-335s) usually have rosewood fretboards. The wood type for the bridge is probably even less important. I personally think ebony looks nicer, but that is a very personal preference.

Cheers.

WS

[JohnCovach]

I have a 575 Custom with an ebony fretboard.  Ren sold me an ebony bridge base as well, and I use a tune-o-matic.  I actually have no real tone preference between ebony and rosewood (I also have a 575 with a rosewood board).  I do like the looks of the ebony though.

[Gitfiddler]

Ebony is my preference for archtops, but after getting my H575 Custom with a rosewood board, I love it...on THAT instrument.

[LH575]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

 

I have it on order with Ebony and will probably keep it like that.  Those with a H575 speak up, I'd like to hear what you have and what you think!

 

Thanks again!

[golferwave]

  The ebony will have a bit brighter tone than the rosewood but the difference is slight.  A good piece of ebony is so cool looking and smooth to the touch. On the other hand a nice dark slab of rosewood is ... darn, now I know what you're going through.

[skydog]

If you develop the "correct" light touch, you shouldn't really come in contact with the fingerboard. I feel it's more of an endurance/appearance thing. I love the look of both, but ebony is sort of special.