I've got a Jazz Deluxe with a maple board and a Jazz Deluxe V with a pau ferro board, both MiA. The pau ferro is noticeably brighter than the maple, i.e. has a heavier load of treble. The other factor to throw in the mix is that the maple board is finished, which will remove higher frequencies, so maybe that's why the pau ferro guitar is brighter, but who can say for certain some other small difference in construction isn't in play. I've had lots of rosewood boards and generally agree that they're less bright than finished maple, which jibes with theory, but who knows if there aren't other construction factors and inconsistencies affecting the tone? The only safe bet is to a/b the guitars you're interested in to make sure there isn't a tonal issue that can't be compensated for via your rig.
I now, however, stay away from rosewood entirely, but only because it requires much more maintenance (twice a year, as opposed to once in ten years or never) than ebony, pau ferro, or finished maple, and other less common options. So for me, convenience is a big factor since most quality instruments sound pretty good. Rick is an exception because the rosewood is finished, but the Rick sound isn't very versatile.
I've always considered the "feel" thing to be b.s. I mean, is there anyone here whose fingers contact the fretboard of a fretted instrument when your fingers are moving? Don't the strings get in the way?
