I hadn't heard that ebony might next on the CITES list. Glad that I'm not a builder who has to keep those things in mind.
In that case, whatever will violin family luthiers use? I can't imagine having anything but ebony for fingerboards.
bratsche
I hadn't heard that ebony might next on the CITES list. Glad that I'm not a builder who has to keep those things in mind.
Try a Martin D-21 and a D-28. The only difference is ebony F&B vs rosewood.
Better yet, try two Martin D-21s .. even with consecutive serial numbers. Chances are good they will have perceivable tonal differences.
Now do the same thing with two D-28s with consecutive serial numbers...again chances are good that they, too, will have perceivable tonal differences.
Regardless, it sounds as though you have no intention to hear another's opinion without a rebuttal.
Try a Martin D-21 and a D-28. The only difference is ebony F&B vs rosewood.
The problem with this experiment is that even though you say "the only difference", unless you perfectly cloned the guitar atom for atom and only changed the fingerboard, there are too many other factors at play.
Even given the atom-by-atom cloning, there could still be marked differences if, for example, a fly flew into the cloning apparatus. Then, every time you played a Bb, you'd hear a buzzing noise followed by a tiny voice screaming, "Help me!!"
I think I hear my ukulele screaming "help me!" every time I play it.
I'm surprised that more high end ukes don't come with Richlite fingerboards and bridges. They can be almost indistinguishable from ebony, look great, and last forever. Gibson even uses them on $6000 guitars (though I do have to admit that not everyone is happy about that).
In that case, whatever will violin family luthiers use? I can't imagine having anything but ebony for fingerboards.
bratsche
When you have to worry is when they attempt CPR.