So, rosewood or maple? Have *YOU* got a favourite? 🤔

There's only one conclusion to draw from this video: They do sound different, which means we need one of each! Simple as that! Happy shopping! :-)

while watching the intro my guitar got up , slapped me and walked out the door!

Maybe Hendrix's guitar sounded warmer because he would throw it onto the floor and set it on fire !!!

That opening solo just blew my mind. Taste, tone, chops, inventiveness. Well done, Chris.

Hmm, I think the mystic surf green paint has a very distinctive tone, you can't get tone like that with a candy apple red guitar!

Which ever guitar currently being played by Chris Buck sounds better than the other one that's not being played by Chris Buck 😉. However, I've always preferred the aesthetic of darker fretboards (rosewood, pau ferro, ebony etc.)

Chris. Been playing 57 years and I listen to a LOT of guitarists. Your playing has a strong magnetism, hugely addicting to hear. You have that elusive magic in your time and approach, that we all strive for but seldom reach.

They sound different, but a tiny tweak of any tone knob on the guitar or the amp will make up this difference. So, for me it comes down to looks and more importantly feel. I LOVE the way an aged maple fretboard looks, but I prefer the feel of rosewood. I need a new species of "rosemaple".

It makes me laugh at the pickyness of guitar players over woods etc and then they play through ten guitar pedals! Lol!

Rosewood sounds more "rock" and the maple sounds more "country" and brighter. I was expecting to not hear a difference but there was a definite difference. Thank for the comparison! Awesome playing.

It would be easy to say that maple is brighter, and it was, but it’s not quite that simple. What really jumped out at me was the initial attack of the notes-that’s where the maple had more “bite and snap”. The maple fingerboard had a broader range of dynamics, too, to my ear.

Hot take: the difference is too little to be as important as how you feel seeing and picking the guitar up.

It was great to see Chris is as articulate with his choice of words as he is with his choice of notes. Really fine video Chris, thanks!

This guy is a master of video editing 🤯 changing the color of the neck while he's playing. Wow.

For me the difference is most noteworthy when it is time for a fret job. Until then I can't tell the difference. I play both. Incidentally, this was a great video comparison. Amazing that you could play so seamlessly on different takes. That was a mind blower.

There is definitely a difference. But not so much that you’d notice with a little tweak of the amp, especially in a mix.

I've only recently come across your channel but already, i can immediately tell it's you by your playing, even if i didn't know it was a video by you. a major mark of a great player is being immediately recognizable

The difference might just be in the pickup (e.g. ever-so-slight difference in wounding, parts tolerance, etc).

I can never get over how much I dig your picking hand technique.

They actually sound a lot more different than I expected. I've always gotten strats just for the look... but tbh I liked how the maple sounded here much better.

I went in with a bias, fully expecting not to hear a difference. But, through headphones, with my eyes closed, I actually did hear the difference, with concentrated effort.

Man, your phrasing is on another level entirely 🙌🏻

Chris dude you are one talented young man. Your playing is amazing. But, your a natural music journalist with great historical and technical insights. Bravo. Very proud subscriber.

I think your summing up at the end is absolutely right, maple actually has a bit more sustain but the rosewood has more of a midrange honk that suits overdriven front pickup solos and power chords, remember how fat Rory's strat sounded!

To my ears, if anything, the maple sounded ever so slightly brighter on the bridge pickup. But since guitars have a tone knob, what's the point. Look and feel are where the real differences lie.

This is the second demo I've seen on the topic, and to my ears, in both cases, I hear a slight more brightness in the maple neck, but it's frankly so slight a difference it doesn't matter. It's less of a difference than you hear between a brand new set of strings and a set a few days old.

Are they different? Yes. Is it noticeable? Yes. Does it matter? No. Personal preference? Yes.

Darn, the firist time I actually heard a discernible difference between the two fretboards. Although it is worth noting that no two guitars are the same even if they use the same species of wood so it could also be differences in body and neck wood.

For my own part, the materials of the guitar is not the limiting factor, it's my God damn fingers!

They are, practically, the same, but there's something about the rose wood tone that goes straight to my heart.

With Fenders, I've always been partial to a maple neck. Everything just has its own flavor. Binding, no binding, Rosewood, etc. For Gibson's, a LP Custom. With Ebony, or a Standard with Rosewood. They all impart some magic over the instrument. There's really no X versus, Y versus Z. It's about taking hold of what's there. Finding the magic of the woods/tones.

I’ve found the opposite be true (to my ears) playing many many different fender guitars with maple and rosewood over the years. When taking the pickups/electrified sound out of the equation and played just acoustically, I’ve found maple to have a somewhat slower attack and and softer feel - more warmness to it. Whereas rosewood tends to feel a bit stiffer and quicker in the note attack on the fretboard. Electrified I can definitely see the rosewood sounding warmer, but for me there’s a lot more to it than just that. Thickness of the neck will also have a huge impact. Long story short - I love maple the most.

They do sound different, but it could be any number of other factors besides fretboard material. For me it comes down to the look and I like the look of a maple fretboard better.

Great video as always Chris. Definitely a tonal difference albeit subtle and nuanced. The maple is quite distinct to my ear and I did take a peak while listening the confirm. I like hearing you play the maple board as it’s response is more immediate and I’m so used to seeing you play rosewood necks. It’s all good. Congratulations on your nomination.

Man... if those pickups are setup the same... then there is a BIG and NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE... I didn't expect that, but am pleased because I like the treble punch of the maple and that is what I have. ...cool.

Man... I would pay a chunk of change just to listen to Chris Buck play live.

Chris Buck has the most beautiful phrasing.

I prefer rosewood, ebony or pau ferro just because I prefer the sensation of my fingers on wood rather than on a gloss finished fretboard. I've never played on a unfinished maple fretboard.

I never heard the difference untill tonight! Thanks! Rosewoid is more mid-low range clean. Maple High range clean! Accidentally, rosewood was the best deal I could get so all my guitars are rosewood!

The ultimate test would be to use a single guitar body and swap necks to do the comparison - just to remove any differences in the 2 bodies' wood/wiring/pickup winds, however small those differences may be.

Prefer the sound and feel of rosewood, but like the look of relic maple.

More than 1 Tele is the only and proper decision!

Great video. Darker wood, darker sound! definitely the Tele is more associated to the maple sound...

Wow I'm actually surprised how much of a difference there is

Unbelievable! Thank you again Chris. And great to see the subs racking up. 100k for Christmas :)

I prefer rosewood. For feel, not tone

Bang! What a badass Intro!!!! THAT´s the way how one starts a video. KILLER pierce!!!

The comparison section was the most helpful I've seen so far. History lesson was cool too. Also, great job playing the same thing identically for different takes, a true professional! Job well done all around, man.

Huge difference, even just through my tv speakers. I love the maple. I notice that, as I get older and my ears lose their ability to hear high frequencies, I tend to like brighter sounding instruments that compensate for my loss. So now I'm off to find a video doing an A/B comparison of Cialis vs Viagra, given my other old age deficits.

Guitarist logic: Plastic finishes and plastic tubing on the trussrod kills tone Also guitarist logic: Plastic binding and plastic fret markers - doesn't kill tone

Needed to replay it 5 times, because I forgot about paying attention to the tones by that kickass solo.

I prefer maple to rosewood or ebony, but the thing is that with maple you have to be more confident. Ebony makes me feel relaxed and comfortable but shredding on maple feels better if you have the confidence, grip. It’s a lot more slidy and unstable, but if you know how to drive that car well, it benefits you!

I am here just to hear the solos. Amazing!

So I only like Maple on a tele, I think its more the feel than the sound, the real smooth finish suits the way I use a tele. On every thing else I would always look for Rosewood. I guess its also got to do with how I see a tele fitting into the whole guitar spectrum.

For those who can't hear the difference, the acid test would be a display of the harmonic spectrum and also the attack, delay, sustain, and release envelope of a single note being played. .

Damn dude! You are such a great player! That intro piece, was inspiring. Truly. 👍🏻

I am actually shocked by the differences I can hear!!

My personal preference is maple for Fenders, rosewood for everything else. Nothing looks better to me than a sweat-stained, "dirty" maple board on an old Tele. As for sound, I honestly don't think the differences are big enough to matter.

I've always been and always will be a maple man and big 70s headstocks....I'm an old school rocker...keep rockin

Great video. The maple definitely sounds brighter and twangier in every setting. Awesome comparison.

Brilliant, as ever... not only are your playing and presentation skills superb, but your camera-work deserves a prize too. Fantastic episode, Chris. And I wouldn't kick either guitar out of bed for eating crackers...

In this case, the tonal difference can be worked out through the whole rig, i think FEEL is more important. I think Maple has less “drag” on bending and such to my taste. I prefer it, but also think certain guitars just look right with the right neck color!

This is the most well done video I have ever seen on the subject. I was also pretty surprised at the amount of difference in the high frequency in the attack and the placement of the midrange in the sustain.

I think the maple fretboard sounded a little warmer but the difference was minimal. Just go for whatever suits the guitar's main color.

I just like the rosewood. I like the resistance, if you could call it that, and the subtle extra bit of warmth. But maybe it's because I am just used to that. It's just a personal preference. I never believed one or the other is 'better'.

First, thanks for this great A-B comparison. I'm pretty sure I would have made possibly unconscious variations playing the same lick, sort of "playing to the guitar's groove", but you seem to have played them spot on with either. I've had 5 Strats and 1 Esquire and 4 Teles over the last 46 years. I still have all the Tele-types, and 2 Strats, both maple V-necks. There are subtleties that make me prefer a maple fingerboard, and in spite of my very large hands, the old-style V-necks. I like the feel of the maple. Because of your A-B, the rosewood seems to have that "warmer" sound, but also somewhat like it has a pillow over it, just a bit. Oddly, my oldest Fender, a '59 or '60 Esquire, has a rosewood board and a big beefy neck that really fits my hand better. I guess there is actually a sound component that makes me prefer maple, but like you say, in the context of a loud band, with pedals, etc., who could really tell? Great comparison!

Finally, I can compare to Chris in one way! We both have a green Telecaster :)

I don’t know about sound but I always liked how rosewood felt when plying. A lot of the cheaper maple necks have lacquer or poly on them which makes it feel a bit off to me. The rosewood is usually open pore and finished with oil so I like that better

There are tone differences. But after having pedals and pre amps over it, you can easily change the tone. The most important is the feel, they do feel quite different while playing.

Hands down the maple sounds better. The fact that it looks cooler, even more so with the patina left by years of sweaty hands, is just an added bonus!

I listened with eyes closed, opening them for a split second when I thought it sounded “brighter”. I was right about 50%!

Personally I think there is a difference, rosewood has that slight wooliness, maple has a tad more twang. Both awesome, and more often that not more of an aesthetic choice. Great video as ever CB

I’m listening on a crap iPhone 8 speaker, but even so, I was able to hear a slight difference with the higher single notes. The rosewood sounded slightly warmer/softer with the high notes. (a sound I prefer)

0:09 - 0:20 - plays just two notes that sound better than all of mine ;)

There are just 3 reasons I prefer the Maple Neck. 1- Looks much better 2- Can be seen better on a dark stage situation 3- I personally like the way it feels. As for the tone vs darker wooks, My opinion is that it is slightly brighter. But as for tones, I like either.

To me, maple sounds better and feels easier to play. Looks better too. Having said that most audiences wouldn't know the difference. I once did a solo gig went early to get a really good sound, had two active speakers out front lined out from a marshall 100 acoustic amp, sounded brilliant. Did the first set sounded disastrous. As I struck the final chord I realized I hadnt turned on the active speakers... then I realised I'd accidentally pushed the piezo pickup button on the amp. Second set was that perfect sound I'd gone early to set up, so felt like I'd played a storm. Everyone was happy. I'd played the venue 5 times a years for years. I apologised for first set to people and tried to explain why ect No-one had noticed the difference between the two sets🤔

I just have the weird assumption that maple has a lighter and brightet sound, and rosewood has a darker and bassier sound

All maples necks were considered to look "unfinished", which is why Rosewood was added later on. May or may not up the cool factor for some

this is the most realistic guitar review that I have ever seen on youtube.....i love that you played the same licks for each guitar....and even the same color!!!....btw ....great playing too!!! The maple neck is much brighter...although both giitars sound great!!!

Man Rosewood or Maple, one thing is for certain: Chris, you play beautifully. I really like those tones

This video only proofs one thing, Chris is an awesome guitar player and expert in his field.

probably the best guitarist i have heard in a long time, and he is on youtube giving us advice, NUTS.

I was scrolling down and reading the comments while listening to Chris playing...and i don't hear a difference. His playing is still AWESOME!

I have a Rosewood Tele and a Maple neck Strat, idea being the rosewood warms up the Tele a bit and the Maple gives the Strat a bit more chime. I think I sort of need a Rosewood Strat and Maple Tele though too.

The comparison definitely confirms it. Maple - brighter with a tighter bottom end. Rosewood - warmer and more in the lower mids. It’s night and day!

To me what matters is how it looks and eels I prefer the feel of maple but some colors and finishes go better with rosewood There was a difference alright, but i don't think it was due to the fretboard but the pickups (yes the same guitar model with the same pick up model/settings can still sound different

Excellent playing and review. Thank you. IMO the rosewood neck had more warmth but also more high frequencies. I would say more balanced from low to high. The maple neck seems to have more high end but has more midrange.

Yes, I do hear a difference. I like both. I have to admit my favorite to play is maple--it offers a brightness that I prefer--but I do like the smooth sounds of rosewood, as well.

There is a slight difference, but nothing anyone would notice in any setting other than a back to back test like this.

It's 2020 how has someone not made a half and half neck?

Great video. I have just bought my daughter an American special tele and she really loved the look of the rosewood fingerboard so we went with that. I’m a bass player and far prefer rosewood for my basses but I wasn’t sure if it’s the right choice for a tele. She loves big chords and big riffs so this video has made me more comfortable that the guitar is right for her. BTW, there was never any doubt in her mind she wanted a sunburst tele. Nice playing too, Sir. Tasty 👍

As a lefty. I have owned two Stratocasters. The first was an early 90s American strat in gun metal grey which was my pride and joy until some lovely person stole it along with lots of other gear from our rehearsal room. The second a custom shop 57 reissue. The maple neck is far more pleasing to the touch.

Maple I want to see the blood, sweat, and tears on the fretboard!🤯🔫🎸

Besides being a great guitar player Chris, you're also an excellent speaker with an intelligent vocabulary. I enjoy your channel very much.

I would like to see this comparison with two necks and one guitar. The necks being switched out and everything else (strings, amp setting, etc.,..) the very same. Some times two identical guitars with the “same” everything still sound different. The differences may manifest in that scenario but it would be a great way to settle it in my opinion. As always, Chris, you are a fabulous musician! I just watched your video about Hendrix...I must say, I think you’re better! 😎

Thank you. It wasn‘t so much the (great) A-B testing that helped me but your playing and your tone. Told me “Stop trying to be that gearhead, stick to your old Telly, and get the most from it. It’s all in there. Practice!” So yeah, thanks again 😊👍🏼

I think in this case, maple looks and sounds cooler, but it really varies depending on the type of guitar. Rosewood also always feels better

Maple is definitely brighter, but usually rosewood isn't covered in sticky layers of gloss. Think you can do another comparison of ebony vs roasted maple?

For all the doubters attributing this to electronics, its funny that the sum of the differences aligned to exactly what the 'accepted fact' is. That the guitar with the rosewood neck had the 'accepted' sonic differences based on the decades of arguments and stereotypes. I guess there was a 50/50 chance that the 'brighter, snappier, punchier' electronic set happened to be in the guitar with the maple neck... I would love to see a video where someone does a neck swap on the same body. Leaving all the electronics in the same spot. If there were truly no effect on the tone based on the wood, this would reveal it. It would be especially interesting to do a swap with 2 guitars like this. If they start to sound like each other after the neck swap, that would be some really solid evidence. I have done this test myself, switched out my highway 1 neck with rosewood board for a highway 1 neck with maple board. The guitar sounds wildly different now, and after a year of that (and the acquisition of a tele), I am looking for a neck with a rosewood board again.