What kind of fingerboard do I have?

[ed1996]

There is nothing wrong with baked maple anyway. Why are you sending it back?

[Thumpalumpacus]

Originally Posted by TattooedCarrot

You're assuming he bought it in person and didn't know what he was buying.

I assumed he bought it on-line and what arrived was different than what was advertised.

A good point. That's my bias for in-person-only purchases showing, in that assumption.

[Larry Mal]

I have baked maple on my non-reverse Firebird, it's a great guitar and a great neck.

I seem to slowly becoming a Gibson guy.

[icantbuyafender]

Originally Posted by TattooedCarrot

You're assuming he bought it in person and didn't know what he was buying.

I assumed he bought it on-line and what arrived was different than what was advertised.

my point exactly

short of finding one in person (which is unlikely without travel to several SamAsh stores), you tend to trust websites that have credible background in customer service. I dont see how hard it could be to check out the actual product when it comes in to verify its what you are selling to your customers.

i guess this is why sweetwater is the prefered choice around these parts.

I like getting to SEE exactly what I pay for.

time consuming for the vendor, yet priceless in terms of customer graditude.

[Dirty]

This is what Thomann.de says about the new SG standards:

"Gibson SG Standard EBLH left-handed guitar – mahogany body, set-in mahogany neck with katalox fingerboard"

What the h**l is Katalox?!

[bgfthntr]

Gibson says Rosewood...

Gibson.com: Gibson SG Standard Exclusive

[icantbuyafender]

and the plot thickens

[Thumpalumpacus]

Originally Posted by Dirty

This is what Thomann.de says about the new SG standards:

"Gibson SG Standard EBLH left-handed guitar – mahogany body, set-in mahogany neck with katalox fingerboard"

What the h**l is Katalox?!

Katalox is an extremely dense tonewood that is gaining popularity in the luthier market. The heartwood ranges from violet to deep purple which can darken to near black with age. The sapwood compliments this color tone with a creamy golden hue, and when worked into a project it provides a wonderfully vivid contrast to the rich heartwood.

The USDA ranks Katalox in several publications as a suitable substitute to African Gabon Ebony for stringed instruments. Katalox is known to have a moderate blunting effect on planing knives and other cutters due to the high density. Gluing can also be troublesome due to this density. Katalox is a wonderful turning candidate due extremely fine pores and texture. Katalox is also a choice timber by locals in the Yucatan for tables, chairs and other fine furniture due to its durability and aesthetic attributes. The signature color tone of rotating purplish black with light sapwood can be found through out the Costa Maya when visiting establishments.

Tone Qualities:
Katalox is well known to luthiers who are looking to construct quality guitars and is used extensively by Martin Guitars for fingerboards and bridges. It is also starting to develop recognition for quality backs and sides. Tonality for Katalox is said to mimic traditional attributes of ebony, along with excellent sustain.




Savage Woods - About Katalox

.

[WhippingPost]

Originally Posted by bgfthntr

Gibson says Rosewood...

Gibson.com: Gibson SG Standard Exclusive

Yes, but those specs are from when the guitar first started to ship to Sam Ash stores. The specs have changed due to the ongoing wood issues between Gibson and the government, but Gibson hasn't updated their site yet (and neither has Sam Ash).

The OP thought he was getting rosewood instead of torrefied maple when he ordered based on the non-updated spec's. He's within his right to return the guitar if the fretboard discrepancy bothers him that much.

The plot hasn't thickened one bit.

[Jayrcee]

Originally Posted by ed1996

many retailers have not seemed to update their website about the new fingerboard woods. don't trust the retailers website! look on gibson's website.

I purchased the guitar from SamAsh.com. I went with the specs that were stated on both Sam Ash's site and Gibson. Both show the species as Rosewood. Sam Ash is currently working with me, and they hope to be able to source a replacement with the Rosewood fretboard that I want *crosses fingers*. Normally I like to buy my guitars in person, but the lure of getting what I thought was a good deal had me buying it online this time... Also, i'm new to Gibson guitars and this was my first Gibson purchase. I wasn't aware of the "controversy" regarding the change in the fretboard material.

[WhippingPost]

Originally Posted by Jayrcee

Sam Ash is currently working with me, and they hope to be able to source a replacement with the Rosewood fretboard that I want *crosses fingers*.

Glad to hear! I hope they'll be able to get you sorted out soon enough. Surely there's one in one of their stores somewhere.

[bgfthntr]

Originally Posted by WhippingPost

Yes, but those specs are from when the guitar first started to ship to Sam Ash stores. The specs have changed due to the ongoing wood issues between Gibson and the government, but Gibson hasn't updated their site yet (and neither has Sam Ash).

The OP thought he was getting rosewood instead of torrefied maple when he ordered based on the non-updated spec's. He's within his right to return the guitar if the fretboard discrepancy bothers him that much.

The plot hasn't thickened one bit.

Never a dull moment... thanks for clarifying....

[HRC]

Originally Posted by hairless_ape

if a guitar is advertised as rosewood and you get maple i feel as though you have a right to be pissed. Not because of whether or not you like baked maple, but because it's not what you paid for. It's no different than getting pissed over getting a guitar with a rosewood board when it was advertised as having ebony.

+1

[gibbykohner]

Yep. That's baked maple alright.

Am I the only one who doesn't like all this baked maple thing? =(

Seems like a toy while having baked maple on it, IMO.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Originally Posted by gibbykohner

Yep. That's baked maple alright.

Am I the only one who doesn't like all this baked maple thing? =(

Seems like a toy while having baked maple on it, IMO.

Have you played any with a BM fingerboard?

[TattooedCarrot]

No problem with baked maple for what it is. The SG I had looked fine and played fine, but it wasn't rosewood. Some people prefer things to be the way they were, regardless of the arguments as to why the new way is equal or even better, that's not the point.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Originally Posted by TattooedCarrot

No problem with baked maple for what it is. The SG I had looked fine and played fine, but it wasn't rosewood. Some people prefer things to be the way they were, regardless of the arguments as to why the new way is equal or even better, that's not the point.

Understood. The ones I've played have been fine, and I'm not beholden to tradition. Give me six strings and two pickups, I'll get you some music happening.

The whole "seems like a toy" thing goes to quality, though. And the quality is on a par with any other wood, as anyone who's played one knows. Suhr uses them as both neck and fingerboard woods, and sees fit to offer a lifetime warranty on their BM necks ... as opposed to the 90 warranty for their untreated maple necks. Tom Anderson and EB/MM also use it, for both necks and fretboards.

Being a traditionalist is fine ... but saying something is toy-like if you haven't played it is a good metric for the reader in assessing the poster's credibility, which is why I asked.

[TattooedCarrot]

My argument against baked maple is purely traditionalist. Functionally, its a great wood and the torification process makes it stronger than shit. Its a very stable wood. In other applications, I think it would be accepted without issue. But Gibson caters to a very traditionalist niche, mostly.

[icantbuyafender]

Originally Posted by Thumpalumpacus

.

well, THAT is a sexy looking wood.

substitute for ebony?

sounds good to me!

The heartwood hues are stunning

[nicolasrivera]

There should be a TAG specifying it was maple if not make a formal complaint to the store so they can do something if Gibson is intentionally misleading the customers...

[strat]

stained maple

[Thumpalumpacus]

Originally Posted by TattooedCarrot

My argument against baked maple is purely traditionalist. Functionally, its a great wood and the torification process makes it stronger than shit. Its a very stable wood. In other applications, I think it would be accepted without issue. But Gibson caters to a very traditionalist niche, mostly.

I hear you. And I agree with two points:

1) if the website (be it manufacturer or retail outlet) stipulates that it is a certain wood, then it should be that wood, and nothing else; and

2) if the model name has the words "classic", "historic", "reissue", or other terms appealing to vintage-correct values, then it should be made of the same materials, to the same design, as the model it purports to replicate.

I don't have a beef with those who approach it openly from your perspective; you're upfront about wanting your guitars to be built the same, and that's fair.

I just roll my eyes, though, when people who haven't touched the stuff pontificate on its inferiority.

[KRaZeE]

Originally Posted by Jayrcee

I like the guitar other than the fact the fingerboard is not what I thought I was getting.

This just doesn't make sense to me. You are obviously entitled to your own opinion and to do what you want, but I just can't wrap my head around this thinking, personally. If I liked the way it played and sounded, I really wouldn't care if it was cardboard. Plays good + sounds good = we bonded and it's not going anywhere. What if the next one, rosewood or no, doesn't play as well? Regardless, I do wish you luck and hope you find what you are looking for.

Originally Posted by icantbuyafender

i dont like not getting what i pay for...

nothing against baked maple, because i love the feel and snappy attack.

but dropping a good chunk of dough on an expensive guitar is an investment

Id want to know exactly what Im getting

:-/

Dropping a good chunk of dough on an expensive NEW mass produced guitar as an investment isn't the wisest of reasons. These aren't 61 Les Pauls and never will be. They are mass market, mass manufactured guitars and have been for quite some time. To me, that is the wrong reason to be buying a new fiddle.

As far as knowing what you are getting, always do your homework...always. Be it a guitar, lawn mower, frozen dinner, car, whatever...do your homework.

[TattooedCarrot]

Originally Posted by KRaZeE

This just doesn't make sense to me.

but I just can't wrap my head around this thinking, personally. If I liked the way it played and sounded, I really wouldn't care if it was cardboard.

I have an equally hard time understanding how some can be so dismissive of preference without a functional correlation.

Why does there need to be an articulable defect to justify not liking it? Its not what he ordered, and not what he wanted. Not much else matters. Using your logic, all guitars would be the same color because color is just a nonsensical aesthetic that doesn't affect how they play or sound and obviously personal preference doesn't matter, so why have different colors?

Originally Posted by KRaZeE

As far as knowing what you are getting, always do your homework...always.

He did his homework, as mentioned. Both the internet dealer he bought it from, and the manufacturer's product page said it came with rosewood; what showed up at the door was not.

[KRaZeE]

Originally Posted by TattooedCarrot

I have an equally hard time understanding how some can be so dismissive of preference without a functional correlation.

Why does there need to be an articulable defect to justify not liking it? Its not what he ordered, and not what he wanted. Not much else matters. Using your logic, all guitars would be the same color because color is just a nonsensical aesthetic that doesn't affect how they play or sound and obviously personal preference doesn't matter, so why have different colors?


He did his homework, as mentioned. Both the internet dealer he bought it from, and the manufacturer's product page said it came with rosewood; what showed up at the door was not.

Well, if you read all of what I said instead of picking it apart, I certainly was not being dismissive of his preference. I did not say he needed any other reason to not like it. I did say he was entitled to his own opinion and that I couldn't understand the line of thinking.

And he didn't do his homework...he stated he had no idea about the fretboard wood change, which has been a hot button issue for some time now. I'm with Thump on this point...I do plenty of digging before I dump a good amount of cash on something...I don't just trust the manufacturer or seller's info.

[TattooedCarrot]

Originally Posted by KRaZeE

Well, if you read all of what I said instead of picking it apart, I certainly was not being dismissive of his preference. I did not say he needed any other reason to not like it. I did say he was entitled to his own opinion and that I couldn't understand the line of thinking.

And he didn't do his homework...he stated he had no idea about the fretboard wood change, which has been a hot button issue for some time now. I'm with Thump on this point...I do plenty of digging before I dump a good amount of cash on something...I don't just trust the manufacturer or seller's info.

Point taken. No hard feelings.

[KRaZeE]

Originally Posted by TattooedCarrot

Point taken. No hard feelings.

Of course not!