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What is everyones opinion on the Royal Blackwood? Look like Lmi finally has fretboards,headplates and bridges back in stock. Any pros or cons?

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Well with no other bites, here’s my un informed opinion, since I don’t have any yet, though its on my next LMI order.

Pros… even, jet black colouring, streak free, (and this is what intrigues me), it’s torrefied, as in shrunk to the max already, so no fret sprout ever. And cheap.

Cons…market pushback/lack of acceptance/unsaleabilty aka hard to upcharge

I used it for the fretboard and bridge and bindings on one tenor uke. It was noticeably more porous than most of the Cameroon ebony that I usually use. It wasn't jet black but, rather, very dark gray. In terms of color, its virtue is that the entire piece was exactly the same without any variation. Hardness and working properties seemed fine and the finished product was quite acceptable. I certainly don't regret using it and would use it again, but ebony it ain't.

I guess there’s the sustainability factor, which is laudable, and could be desired by some customers. Although to be honest I’m not actually clear on where the wood they are using to make the stuff comes from and how truly sustainably it is harvested.

Stability is nice I suppose. I avoid ebony in general due to poor stability.

Other than that I don’t see too many “pros”. The price is cheap I guess but in the materials bill of a fine guitar that, I presume, we are pricing in the many thousands of dollars, a fingerboard being $20 instead of $100 doesn’t move the needle much. Customer perception of it being a cheap material could move the needle a long way in the wrong direction if it torpedos a sale…

I played a Taylor 12 fretter with blackwood back and sides awhile back and loved the sound of it. The salesguy thought it was ebony. Keep in mind, I am not a Taylor guy at all, but I thought long and hard about that one. Someone else thought it was nice, too - and bought it before I did.

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I don't know what Royal Blackwood is. I have used Royal Ebony, which is Katalox. I would have no hesitation to use Katalox. Bowed instrument buyers, and makers are VERY traditional. If it isn't perfectly black they will cry. I don't understand it. The originals were maple or fruitwood; then veneer. Fretless instruments would probably have more fingerboard wear, but on a violin it is a part that will get regular touch up and eventual replacement.
I like the look of Katalox.

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Why be normal?

The fretboard page says it's Peltogyne catingae, aka purpleheart. A fine choice for fingerboards. Stiffer than ebony despite its lighter weight, and a little harder than Indian rosewood.

It’s torrefied purple heart.

Terrified purple heart.Very interesting. So on anther note what would be everyones take on Purple Heart fretboard and bridge? And no I'm not asking about your opinion on how it looks lol

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If you like the color, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work…

My first guitar building class back in 1972, we had a couple of people use Purpleheart instead of BRW because the local wood dealer was out of BRW. The guitars sounded great but it's murder on edge tools. Very high silica content.