Is there a general consensus on the specific playing characteristics and/or tone of these materials or does it just come down to personal taste as to look and feel?
Rosewood = not bright Maple = Bright Ebony = Brighter Ebony is the densest and thus, the brightest. Rosewood is the least dense and is quite porous compared to the other two. I own a nylon with ebony, an LP with ebony, and another LP with rosewood. To be perfectly honest, I don't make enough contact with the fretboard to notice any differences in playability.
In my experience, the wood (and size) of the neck, much more than the fretboard, makes a difference. And I don't find it to be that big of a difference.
Heres another fretboard thread from last week: http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=340087&highlight=fretboard
I describe them in this way: Rosewood: somewhat softer touch and attack, warmer feel/tone/touch Maple: bight, percussive, cut, clear, pop Ebony: bright, stiff feel, tight and quick attack, thick touch
