Obsidian is a real wood alternative for ebony from ThermalWood Canada. Through a process of torrefication, a thermo-chemical process that reduces the moisture content of the maple the company uses, and resin infusion, Obsidian replicates ebony not just in color but in weight, density, and overall workability, the company says. By using maple, ThermalWood Canada said it has found a way to help keep ebony from going extinct, while not lessening the quality of the product. Obsidian ebony had primarily been used for guitar fingerboards, but has since expanded into interior and exterior applications, as well as other instrument types.