They may seem more comfortable to some people, but slightly thicker necks are not much more difficult to get used to. Musicians have been adapting to intelligently made instruments for centuries. Plastic and other artificial chemical finishes do not complement a well made traditional instrument. This finish contributes to the tonal quality of the instrument rather than detracting from it. Wood quality is extremely important as is the type of wood selected for a particular instrument.
Different woods have different tonal qualities.
Koa wood or maple for example, is brighter than rosewood, which is more mellow. Only you can decide which is right for you. How the wood is worked and under what climatic conditions it is worked are also extremely important. Judging the wood before it is cut, while it is being worked, and as it is molded into the form of an instrument is an art that is mastered by few. The glue used to make an instrument is critical to its ability to transmit vibrations from one part to another.