594 with ebony fret board

[P90s]

Some of the 594 Artist models have the ebony fret board on a mahogany neck. Has anyone A/B'd ebony vs rosewood to notice whether it makes any noticeable difference? How would you describe it? 5% difference? Huge?

 

[László]

Some of the 594 Artist models have the ebony fret board on a mahogany neck. Has anyone A/B'd ebony vs rosewood to notice whether it makes any noticeable difference? How would you describe it? 5% difference? Huge?

I have had ebony fretboards on several mahogany neck PRSes. It gives the note a faster attack. This is often perceived as brightness. A rosewood board is perceived as warmer.

Both are great-sounding, as far as I'm concerned; each has its very considerable pros with few cons.

 

[bodia]

I had both examples. I would agree with Les' take with regard to the perceived brightness of ebony versus warmth with rosewood. The ebony board was on one of Brain's WL runs, so it had a 59/09 in the bridge. That, and the ebony fretboard made that guitar scream! My term for the ebony board would be sizzle.

 

[veinbuster]

I find ebony more articulate. By that I mean subtle changes in picking action are more noticeable.

 

[P90s]

I have had ebony fretboards on several mahogany neck PRSes. It gives the note a faster attack. This is often perceived as brightness. A rosewood board is perceived as warmer.

Both are great-sounding, as far as I'm concerned; each has its very considerable pros with few cons.

Thanks, Les. Do you lose any of the low/mid-range harmonics with ebony? I notice that with a maple neck, the tonal focus is more in the upper registers and you lose some of the lower tones. Does that happen with an ebony fretboard?

 

[hammeron]

I've always enjoyed playing ebony boards. They tend to have a harder, slightly slicker feel.

 

[László]

Thanks, Les. Do you lose any of the low/mid-range harmonics with ebony? I notice that with a maple neck, the tonal focus is more in the upper registers and you lose some of the lower tones. Does that happen with an ebony fretboard?

I didn't notice a loss of lower mids with my mahogany/Ebony combinations.

Just be aware that it doesn't sound the same as a RW fretboard, and since we don't all listen for exactly the same things, I can't say what your reaction might be.

 

[shallbe]

I have 3 PRS with ebony boards. The sound is not lacking anything, it just has a more immediate attack on the front end of the note off the pick, and the guitar is just clearer in every position. I'm such a huge fan that I only have one rosewood board PRS now, a Brazzy Santana II.

It is my preferred board by far. Looks great, feels great, sounds punchy and clear.

 

[django49]

My favorite for a while has been the ebony. In fact, I am on the edge of ordering a pair of custom builts with ebony board on a korina neck with a chambered korina body.....And a few other doodads.