Les Pauls: maple vs. mahogany, rosewood vs. ebony?

Brevamusic · Post by **Brevamusic** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:32 pm

I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with comparing these different options with a les paul guitar:

1) Is there a really big difference in tone between a maple cap vs. an all-mahogany les paul?

2) Likewise, is there a big difference in a rosewood vs. ebony fretboard?

If anyone can compare these differences as far as tone goes I'd greatly appreciate it!

JD · Post by JD » Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:43 pm

Yes.

1. Maple cap will be a bit brighter vs. all Mahogany, might have marginally more sustain, but that depends on more than just the type of wood (i.e. weight).
2. Rosewood will be a bit warmer than Ebony as Ebony is harder but mainly the difference is in the feel of the fretboard. Think Les Paul Std. vs. Custom.

Brevamusic · Post by **Brevamusic** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:19 pm

Are these differences in tone small or huge? I am I splitting hairs thinking about this (I always thought pickups make the most of the tone in the guitar), or should I take these tonal comparisons seriously as I shop for a new guitar? Thanks for the reply by the way!

fillmore nyc · Post by **fillmore nyc** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:42 am

Brevamusic wrote:I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with comparing these different options with a les paul guitar:

1) Is there a really big difference in tone between a maple cap vs. an all-mahogany les paul?

2) Likewise, is there a big difference in a rosewood vs. ebony fretboard?

If anyone can compare these differences as far as tone goes I'd greatly appreciate it!

I've noticed that a lot of players (at least temporarily) seem to graduate from maple topped LP's to all mahogany LP's at some time or another. Maple tops will definitely be brighter, and all mahog will be warmer, but there are a lot of other factors at work.
ALL the ingredients are important: Wood, especially the weight of that wood, pickups, type of bridge, fretboard material (again, rosewood being warmer, ebony being brighter).
To me, a relatively lightweight, all mahogany LP, with a rosewood fretboard, and a really nice set of pickups (WCR's, Lollars, Frailins, etc) is a pretty hard combination to beat. It'll make a nice, fat complex tone thru the right amp.
It WILL sound significantly different than a maple topped/ebony fretboard guitar. IMO, the latter combination would verge on being too bright, but will typically sustain real well.
Maybe another way to look at it would be that the mahogany/rosewood LP would be well suited for blues and jazz, and the maple/ebony LP would be better for rock and metal, but there are certainly no rules written there!! ANY LP is a pretty wide-ranging guitar.

JD · Post by JD » Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:43 am

You're welcome.

Pickups certainly are a significant factor, but you gotta remember they are simply amplifying the guitar's sound - which is created by the guitar's design, wood being one significant factor. On some level, just about every guitar has it's own unique sound, and everything on the signal path (including the player, electronics, amp, tubes, speakers, etc.) affects tone.

ThunderOne · Post by **ThunderOne** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:20 pm

My experience with Les Pauls is that an ebony fretboard has a faster attack and a sort of ping to it. I also gives a better note definition than rosewood, the latter being warmer and smoother in comparison.

electricskychurch · Post by **electricskychurch** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:14 am

after i have had about 15 guitars these last years, among which
96' les paul 59' RI
97' Les paul 59' RI and les paul custom 54' ri
98' sg 66' custom shop ri with p90
2x sg61 ri (late 90's)
2001 les paul standard
2002 sg standard
98' les paul dc standard
95' les paul classic
2004 sg classic / p90
as well as a few fender vintage ri's and us standard

i really think you can't really choose a guitar just based on the fact it's all mahogany or maple capped body , rosewood , maple or ebony neck; the tone you will have depends much more on the particular piece of wood itself (and pu's).
my 96' les paul 59' ri is quiet warm as my 97' les paul custom 54' ri but the 97' les paul 59' ri i have (with lighter weight than he two others, but i don't know if it's the difference's reason) is much brighter than those two guitars.
i have also had some stratocaster us standard with alder body and rosewood necks that were brighter than one with ash body and maple neck, so ...
the best when buying a guitar is to try it before obviously and compare with some other guitars , cause it's only bighter or warmer compared to some references you have in mind !

Brevamusic · Post by **Brevamusic** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:08 pm

Ah, I guess I finally found the answers that I needed. I suppose I was trying to find an easy way to assess guitar tone by asking about the woods of the guitar in the name of saving money, but overall I guess I have to agree with you most electricskychurch. I am a firm believer that you have to try before you buy due to the tiny inconsistencies of every guitar, and I guess that means that now I'll have to do just that. Thanks for all the help guys.

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Les Pauls: maple vs. mahogany, rosewood vs. ebony?

Les Pauls: maple vs. mahogany, rosewood vs. ebony?

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