When did Gibson start using baked maple fretboards?

[Fiery Father]

As per the title. It seems they are on SG Standard limiteds, but I can't work out what year that they started putting maple on them. I just got a 2006 and would love to know more about this and what I have on mine.

Cheers.

[ToneasaurusRex]

Between the first raid and the second. It was a rolling change so we can only approximate, and that's the best I can do.

Peace

Rex

[Chase743]

If you have a 2006, it is definitely rosewood.

Baked Maple didn't show up until sometime in 2011, as far as I know. There are tons of threads on this. I'm sure the information you need is on this site.

[icantbuyafender]

the maple aint so bad.

has a snappy tone and feel to it, and Im pretty sure the newer MM models were the first to feature this as a spec standard.

[River]

To my knowledge, the first use was in the '11 "limited" run of HB-equipped Melody Makers (V, SG, Explorer and, I believe, single-cut) which are ALL maple.

I have a V, and I love it. Sound clip of it: SoundClick artist: River Bottom Blues Band - Melody Maker V

(See what I did there, sound and no photo? )

[icantbuyafender]

Originally Posted by River

To my knowledge, the first use was in the '11 "limited" run of HB-equipped Melody Makers (V, SG, Explorer and, I believe, single-cut) which are ALL maple.

I have a V, and I love it. Sound clip of it: SoundClick artist: River Bottom Blues Band - Melody Maker V

(See what I did there, sound and no photo? )

How do maple gibson necks hold up in terms of headstock durability?

reguardless when i pick up a singlecut 2011 (to match the rest) its getting schaller buttons

[Thunder Dump]

On a regular basis as a substitute for rosewood, between late August and early September 2011.

[Larry Mal]

It was the raids that did it, the last raid in particular. I have baked maple on my Non-Reverse Firebird Studio, and it's a great playing neck. No idea how it contributes to the strength of the head stock, though. I doubt it would do much there.

It is a little unusual looking, somewhat light, but I'm told that oil will darken it. I haven't gotten around to doing that yet.

If you like the guitar, I wouldn't be scared of the baked maple. I have to say, though, Gibson is using obeche on other guitars, including the Les Paul Jr. I have, and that's a great wood, I prefer it to the maple. Either way, though, Gibson still knows how to make a great guitar. I actually think they seem to be on a roll lately.

[River]

Originally Posted by icantbuyafender

How do maple gibson necks hold up in terms of headstock durability?

I'm very careful with all of my guitars, and the only one I have with a repaired head stock break is a Guild, with a volute, that was broken decades before it found me.

Maple's one tough wood, though I imagine how the piece used was sawn is the most important factor.

[TattooedCarrot]

Baked maple started in '11 after the last raid.

[ne14t]

I would say Spring/Summer of 2011, my Explorer was made in December of 2010 and its one of the last to ship out with a Rosewood fingerboard, I call it my illegal love child. I have tried a few baked maple guitars and they are a good substitute. With a 2006 it will be rosewood for sure, rosewood does come in varying shades its a sneaky wood. The rosewood on my Explorer is dark enough to be confused with Ebony, but has a few lighter grain streaks that give it away. I would be more concerned with the new woods they are using like Obeche and Granadillo these are species of wood I have never heard of, I gotta read up on all these newer tonewoods.