Guitar Necks

I have only played rosewood necks, my friend is recommending i get a maple neck for my strat. Which do you all prefer and which is best for what?

I have both rosewood and maple, and don't think there is any real difference, except aesthetically. I think maple on a strat is best, but it's purely subjective.

Stratters is correct.. Playability wise, I've never noted a difference. It's more a looks thing...

Thanks guys, one more question, what is easier/cheaper to replace on a strat the headstock or the entire neck?

The entire neck, since it's all one piece.

okay, sorry for my ignorance on the whole thing.

I notice a slight difference in the play between the rosewood and the highly varnished maple necks. I actually prefer the satin necks, the really light ones from the 70's strat

If your speaking of how the strings seem sluggish, don't want to bend as well, and sound more "dampened" on a varnished maple neck, that's more of a function of the finish on the maple and not the fretboard wood itself. Sometimes manufacturers will build the neck, install the fretwire THEN spray finish a final coat of polyurethane or epoxy. Those necks need to be sanded clean to play properly. If you take note of Gilmours maple necks (especially on his vintage Broadcaster) you'll see finger stains all over the neck. That's because the finish has been removed to improve playability and action of the neck. Looks like hell but it won't hurt the neck so long as it's kept dry.

Generally speaking, rosewood has such a high oil content it doesn't take finishes well and they are usually left "clean", hence some folks mistakenly think it "plays" better, but it's juat the lack of finish that gives it a faster feel.

On a clean neck, there's hardly a noticeable difference.

I have a varnished maple, but it CERTAINLY doesn't feel sluggish or sound dampened. Perhaps I've got some new type of finishing or something

I compare it alot to my friends HSS USA strat deluxe. His is rosewood, while my stock american standard is the highly varnish maple.

Or maybe it's because my guitar is, well, mine and it's natural to me. Or it could be that my action is so much lower and faster.

Hmm. I'm not really helping this thread at all.

I find the maple necks easier to play for some reason

Agreed. I find rosewood necks kind of...dry and "dusty."

A good high quality varnish (like what Fender uses) feels just fine. Cheap polyurethane varnishes will seem sluggish. Next time your at your local axe shop (especially if it's a humid day) pick up a good Fender, then grab a "200.00 No-Name Special" you'lll fel it.

Funny you mention that, Fulg! I did exactly that. Played an American maple and a Mexican maple. Other than the obvious differences (rolled fingerboard-edges, higher/lower action, string balance, etc) the mexican neck felt quite...mushy?

Plus, the Mexican maple had this sickly pale color. It seemed like it was made from some cheap pinewood!