I have to build a wall clock for a nephew who has chosen a design we agreed on and when he asked it be finished black I thought of using ebony and finishing it with clear lacquer. That was fine until I saw the price of ebony!So my question is what wood and finish might I use as a substitute? There are some areas of the top that I will have to use router/shaper cutters to achieve although nothing too delicate. Also i would like the wood grain to show through the finish. Any suggestions?