How good are your ears?

[ash]

Here's a clip done by Soloway guitars of two identical guitars except that one has a maple fretboard and one has a rosewood fretboard. Have a listen and see if you can hear a difference. Then can you describe the difference and can you tell which is rosewood and which is maple:

http://www.jimsoloway.com/MiscDemoClips ... atter1.mp3

[Tonemaker]

I think the first one is rosewood, fuller tone sounding to me...however I am hard of hearing..Was using headphones

[TmcB]

The first clip has a lot more lower mid content, feels as though it blooms a lot more, with emphasis on the lower frequencies so it has a warmer, smokier feel.
The second guitar has a brighter, clearer tone with less emphasis on the lows which brings the upper mids out more. Feels more defined and clear.

I'm picking rosewood #1, Maple #2

[Jenesis]

It's a trick question and they're both ebony.

[Rog]

On my laptop speakers they sound the same. With buds in I admit to hearing a very very slight difference, but that could be any number of reasons why. If anything I would say I liked the first part better, without knowing why, it just sounded 'nicer', but oh so slightly. If I had to plonk an opinion down it would be maple for the first bit, then rosewood. Gut feeling really. Not enough of a difference to make a buying preference for me.

[sambrowne]

I'd say rosewood then maple, based on the warmth and rolled off top end of the first example compared with the second's brighter, more present sound. I prefer the first example (which I am guessing is the rosewood) though they both have their charms. The difference is surprisingly subtle to my ears, I thought this would be a more marked difference. Be interesting to hear ebony as well. I know that maple is considered brighter than rosewood hence my conclusion but I have no idea where ebony sits on the scale. I do know I enjoy the physical sensation of playing on ebony.

[mr_sooty]

I agree, rosewood, then maple, for all the reasons tonymcbony (and others) said.

[Cabb]

Rose > maple

First one sounds grittier and the second one sounds smoother / cleaner but also a little duller so wouldn't bet my kidneys on it.

[raz]

1. maple 2. rosewood. Second one sounded a little softer to me, whereas first seemed to have a bit more attack

[Ironbird13]

listening through headphones, i couldnt tell a difference

but when it comes to rosewood over maple or ebony its the fell of it to me. maple and ebony are too smooth, hence IMO has a "plasticy" feel, rosewood has a more rougher feel

[Benrocky]

1. maple 2. rosewood. Second one sounded a little softer to me, whereas first seemed to have a bit more attack

This is the one for me

[Ears]

Maple then Rosewood,
First has more top end to my ears.

[Ears]

One can only draw meaningful conclusions from this exercise if the guitars are the same instrument (excluding necks), not merely similar guitars.

[jeremyb]

Guitar one sounds like it has more reverb applied, thats about it for me

[kdawg2a]

As is my understanding, maple is supposed to give more 'bite' to your tone so I would go with maple for the first one and rosewood second. I don't think there's enough difference on those two clips to effect a decision for me, I like the look of rosewood boards so I'd always go for one over maple. The first ones actually rosewood isn't it?!