Mothers milk neck vs apache neck

[Ian Price]

I have a maple neck guitar but why?

I think that the rounder tone of an Apache works better in a maple boarded guitar whereas the slightly harder tone of the MM works better in rosewood boarded instruments. I have both pickups and like both very much. I personally think the Apache is the best (might even be my joint favourite BKP alongside the BG52) but I wouldn't put it in my rosewood boarded Telemaster, hence the MM.

But surely a small difference like that wouldn't effect a big difference in the pickups?

I think the fretboard material makes a big difference to the tone. You may disagree of course.

+1 from me. I've owned a maple board and a R'wood board strat. The R'wood board was much warmer and less snappy. As far as strats go I do prefer the feel of maple boards but the sound of rosewood. Not sure what compromise there is there!

[Andrew W]

+1 from me. I've owned a maple board and a R'wood board strat. The R'wood board was much warmer and less snappy. As far as strats go I do prefer the feel of maple boards but the sound of rosewood. Not sure what compromise there is there!

Baked maple? :P

[Ian Price]

+1 from me. I've owned a maple board and a R'wood board strat. The R'wood board was much warmer and less snappy. As far as strats go I do prefer the feel of maple boards but the sound of rosewood. Not sure what compromise there is there!

Baked maple? :P

 :D

I thought exactly that to start with. It would have the look of Rosewood but maybe not the sound?

[Philly Q]

+1 from me. I've owned a maple board and a R'wood board strat. The R'wood board was much warmer and less snappy. As far as strats go I do prefer the feel of maple boards but the sound of rosewood. Not sure what compromise there is there!

Baked maple? :P

 :D

I thought exactly that to start with. It would have the look of Rosewood but maybe not the sound?

I think it pretty much still sounds like maple.  Certainly brighter than rosewood. 

It doesn't really look much like rosewood either, from the examples I saw yesterday - not surprisingly, since the grain is completely different.

[Ian Price]

+1 from me. I've owned a maple board and a R'wood board strat. The R'wood board was much warmer and less snappy. As far as strats go I do prefer the feel of maple boards but the sound of rosewood. Not sure what compromise there is there!

Baked maple? :P

 :D

I thought exactly that to start with. It would have the look of Rosewood but maybe not the sound?

I think it pretty much still sounds like maple.  Certainly brighter than rosewood. 

It doesn't really look much like rosewood either, from the examples I saw yesterday - not surprisingly, since the grain is completely different.

I'd be amazed if it sounded like anything other than maple!

Which guitars did you see it on yesterday? Gibson by any chance?

[Philly Q]

I'd be amazed if it sounded like anything other than maple!

Which guitars did you see it on yesterday? Gibson by any chance?

Well, I suppose there's a possibility the heat treatment might change the tone somewhat!

Yeah, saw a few of the new lower-end Gibsons (the '60s SG Junior, for one) at GuitarGuitar in Epsom.  Nice shop!  I didn't actually try anything though.

[Ian Price]

Sounds like your philosophy is the same as mine Philly! I hardly ever play in guitar shops and when I do I invariably forget anything that I can play!

Apologies for the thread hijack! Seems like voting is equal for an Apache or Mothers Milk at the moment. I'm sure we haven't helped make your mind up!

[Philly Q]

You could consider the '63 Veneer Board set - similar specs to the Mother's Milk but (I believe) slightly warmer-sounding to suit bright, maple board Strats.

[Ian Price]

Not sure how but I don't think I've ever heard of those. Are they custom orders?

[Philly Q]

Just check out the product pages under "PAT Pend Strat® Series", Ian - there are two sets, the '59 Slab Board and '63 Veneer Board.

[Telerocker]

Good call, especially the 63 veneer board set.

[Ian Price]

Just check out the product pages under "PAT Pend Strat® Series", Ian - there are two sets, the '59 Slab Board and '63 Veneer Board.

 :oops: This just proves that I've not been in the buying market for a long time! I'm assuming they've been available for a while and I've been happily going about my business without realising they are there.

Definitely worth a look when (if) I get another strat.