I have tonkin cane limbs - I think they are beautiful. Golden honey color, and very good performance too. I have been told that tonkin cane limbs with carbon back is the top performance bows. If you put anything over the carbon (its black I guess) other than a very clear laminate, like snake skin or another wood veneer, you are hindering the performance somewhat.

I love bamboo, and the bamboo/carbon might very well be my choice if/when I get another set of limbs for my longbow.