I was wondering ( dangerous, I know! ) why Alembics only ever feature Ebony fingerboards? Surely there are certain other extremely hard/heavy/stable woods that could also be used - including the Alembic house wood, Cocobolo!
 
Any thoughts anyone?
 
John.

Here is a beautiful example of a Coco Bolo fingerboard.

The Excel has a Pau Ferro fingerboard as standard.

There are basses in the Custom Archive with Coco Bolo Fingerboards

I've also seen Alembics with Purpleheart fingerboards.
 
(Message edited by rami on August 01, 2008)

One concern there is toxicity.  Some woods, especially rosewoods, can cause reactions.  A fingerboard is usually oiled rather than clear-coated, so the natural oils of the wood still come in contact with the skin.  I recall someone here reporting skin rashes with an exotic fingerboard, but I don't recall the wood involved.

When I ordered mine, Mica told me that a fair number of people have skin reactions to coco bolo.
 
dw

That is the most expensive rash I know of.