I got this for a customized JP bass and I'm pleased to say that it is a significant improvement on the stock components I started with.
The main feature is the finish. It's like black granite, or perhaps black marble, with dense flecks below the surface that glint, catching the light at all different angles. I find it classy without being tacky, but I guess a lot depends on context and what kind of look you're after.
The classic Fender 3-ply white-black-white shows tastefully around the rim, highlighting the contour. And yes, they are genuine plies, so that the edge trim remains if you modify it yourself.
It arrives covered in a thin sheet of transparent protective film.
I would have preferred if it came as a blank, so I could cut my own holes, but none of the blanks I could find were as attractive as this.