Gibson players, WTF is Richlite?????

[yngzaklynch]

 

[steve_k]

From Wiki...

"Richlite is a phenolic resin / cellulose compound material produced by Richlite Company. Like other phenolic resin / cellulose compound material it is a dense material made from partially recycled paper and phenolic resin. The paper is soaked in phenolic resin, then molded and baked into net shape in a heated form or press. Originally distributed as a commercial kitchen surface in the 1950s, it has recently been adapted for use in skateboard parks as well as various other applications, such as residential counters, fiberglass cores and limited architectural applications."

in other words, its a counter top with inlay.....

 

[yngzaklynch]

So how come Gibson is still charging a lot of $$$$ for guitars made like this???

 

[JB6464]

Because they Can !

 

[yngzaklynch]

Because they Can !

Aint that something

 

[Shawn Lutz]

ground up newspaper, oil, tobacco spit compressed down to look like wood

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

Copenhagen sounds better than Skoal!

 

[LP Freak]

Tone's in the fretboard

 

[yngzaklynch]

So is this stuff going to be problematic as the guitar ages? Does it effect to tone or neck stability in a negative way?

 

[Badronald]

I had a buddy named Rich and I used to say "Rich light that thing up".
Probably not the same stuff, but..........

 

[yngzaklynch]

I had a buddy named Rich and I used to say "Rich light that thing up".
Probably not the same stuff, but..........

Funyuns involved?

 

[The Traveller]

So is this stuff going to be problematic as the guitar ages? Does it effect to tone or neck stability in a negative way?

I doubt it will cause any stability problems. That shit is as hard as a rock. They use it a lot in the aircraft industry. As for tone I have no idea. I haven't heard one yet.

 

[sytharnia1560]

So is this stuff going to be problematic as the guitar ages? Does it effect to tone or neck stability in a negative way?

I tried to scallop an old vester fretboard (one of the black sharkfin things) a year or so ago and discovered it was basically made from MDF so was impossible to scallop....but it was still straight as a die still after 30 odd years, so this should be fine

 

[Valtyr]

My Gibson has a Richlite board. Doesn't sound significantly different than the other Gibsons I tried back when I was shopping for a new LP. It feels fine and there have been no stability issues with the guitar so far.

 

[charveldan]

Thread has the LULZ ...

I'll stick with rosewood myself.

 

[fretout]

If Richlite is as hard as a countertop, it seems like it would be closer to Ebony than rosewood. Using composites isn't a new thing. I think it was Parker that used some type of graphite and glass material on the Parker Flys back in the 90s.

As for me, I think I'll stick with the traditional fretboards. But who knows. There could be a band that sets a new benchmark in the near future, and if they used Richlite on their fretboards, it could become the sought-after material to use on guitars for people trying to tone chase. Back in the 80s, when super-strats were the guitar to have, Les Pauls were not as desireable, and the going rate for LPs was $300...

 

[IndyWS6]

Personally, I prefer "real" wood, but I haven't played one to see what differences there might be. It's more about the stigma of owning a guitar with a non-traditional fretboard material and the effect that might have on future value. I don't buy guitars with the intention of selling them, but I don't want something like that to unfairly de-value a fairly sizable investment, either.

Gibson isn't the only one using that material. Several Martin acoustics use Richlite for the fretboard as well. It's not just the "budget" models, either - the $3,000 "Performing Artist" series use it. I wanted a Martin for some variety, but bought a second Taylor a few months ago for that reason...

 

[charveldan]

If Richlite is as hard as a countertop, it seems like it would be closer to Ebony than rosewood. Using composites isn't a new thing. I think it was Parker that used some type of graphite and glass material on the Parker Flys back in the 90s.

As for me, I think I'll stick with the traditional fretboards. But who knows. There could be a band that sets a new benchmark in the near future, and if they used Richlite on their fretboards, it could become the sought-after material to use on guitars for people trying to tone chase. Back in the 80s, when super-strats were the guitar to have, Les Pauls were not as desireable, and the going rate for LPs was $300...

Les Paul Custom would set u back 2K in 1985 new ...fact.

 

[dfrattaroli]

Phenolic is super stable and rigid. It'll probably help keep a neck straight too.

 

[Zap]

I played one. As much as I don't like the idea of it not being ebony, Martin also uses it on some of their more inexpensive models. It was incredibly smooth like a blackboard, and based on what I've read, there's really no maintenance required.