Why don't acoustic guitars use Maple for fretboards?

Big-G · 2013-09-15T12:14:12+00:00

SO, I've had this question burning in my mind for the past number of months, and haven't really found a suitable answer, so thought I'd ask here and see what you guys reckon? Why is it that you very, very, rarely see Maple boards on acoustics? I understand why Ebony is not often used, as its very costly, but even that is used much more widely than maple. I've never really been a big fan of Rosewood, and have always preferred Maple, then Ebony as a fretboard on any guitar, and clearly Maple is very popular in the world of electrics, so I'd have expected it to be more widely used for acoustics. The fact that it is not, can only really lead me to think there must be some 'unsuitability' to maple as an acoustic 'tonewood'? Anyone able to answer? Regards G!

studmissile

Although here is my weight/balance theory in the bin, here's a Martin Custom Shop almost doing it except for a thin Madagascar Rosewood strip.

Source
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=283960

Specs
Here are the detailed specs:
Top: Solid Engelmann Spruce
Back/Side: Solid Birdseye Maple
Neck: Solid Maple 3pc. w/ Madagascar Rosewood strip
Neck Shape: Low Profile 30's Style Heel
Head Plate: Solid Madagascar Rosewood
Width at Nut: 1 3/4"
Width at 12 Fret: 2 1/4"
String Spacing: 2 5/16"
Nut: Black Ebony
Saddle: 16" Radius / Compensated / Black Tusq

[deleted]

One possible reason !
Fender's original motive for a bolt on maple neck (was cost not tone), was that when the frets wore out etc you could take the cheapest repair route by simply unbolting the neck --throw it away and bolt on a new neck ! However a problem arose that the necks lasted fairly long and would get dirty and unsightly from wear,fingers, sweat, dirt etc. Although this is today, a desirable feature (vintage looks) this caused guitarists to migrate to other makes -- so according to Fender history, (in 1962?) rosewood was brought in to compete with Gibson & others.
Acoustic guitars have fixed necks --which could be the reason mainly dark woods were used for looks as well as the acoustic properties of hard woods

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