Gibson players, WTF is Richlite?????

  • Thread starter Thread starter yngzaklynch
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The more high quality ebony is becoming harder to get for guitar manufacturers the more richlite and alternatives we will see.

Some of the overseas guitars you see listed with ebony in a lot of cases isn't the ebony most of us think of but much lesser quality types of the species that manufacturers like Gibson, Martin, etc.. would rather use a substitute like richlite over.
 
Feels and sounds the same to me. It'll last a lot longer than you will...
 
fretout":11lojwvy said:
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...
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I own a couple Parkers. I also have one guitar with Richlite and a couple with ebony. Richlite feels closer to ebony than the carbon/glass composite exoskeleton on my Parkers. That said, I really can't tell much of a difference between any of them when playing. I don't have a preference for one over the other.
 
Valtyr":rjkbepds said:
fretout":rjkbepds said:
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...
Click to expand...

I own a couple Parkers. I also have one guitar with Richlite and a couple with ebony. Richlite feels closer to ebony than the carbon/glass composite exoskeleton on my Parkers. That said, I really can't tell much of a difference between any of them when playing. I don't have a preference for one over the other.
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I remember seeing the ads in Guitar World back in the day, when Parker was advertising the carbon/glass fretboards and thinking how awesome it would be to play one, but I never got to. I'd imagine Richlite would feel more like Ebony. Still want to try the carbon/glass boards...
 
charveldan":3lyqzdsz said:
fretout":3lyqzdsz said:
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...
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Les Paul Custom would set u back 2K in 1985 new ...fact.
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FACT.

And I never said anything about Customs regarding price, I was referring to Standards.
 
fretout":2msrhy7d said:
I remember seeing the ads in Guitar World back in the day, when Parker was advertising the carbon/glass fretboards and thinking how awesome it would be to play one
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hunt out the new carbon fibre washburn N4's
 
In a nutshell, it's a faux wood material that Gibson made a very poor business decision to use it as a substitute for real rosewood on their fingerboards. I am sure this came about due to the "wood sting" a few years back. Nonetheless, a very poor business decision IMO.
 
I owned a lpc with richlite and it was similar to ebony in the look, feel and tone.
 
I have a '07 Blonde Beauty and '14 Seafoam LP

Not much difference the '14 plays great, feels great and has cryo frets? to last longer. The electronics suck with the 15 db boost feature and no tone knob for the bridge. I have a new wire harness solderless coming this week.

My '07 feels more solid and tuneful than any other 07 lp I have played. Feels- real/solid/powerful/hefty The '14 feels closer to it than the 07 Les Pauls I had.

You can use lemon oil to darken the richlite without harming it.
 
Re: "Charging a lot of $$$" for Richlite

Gibson is a luxury brand, so marketing-wise their best option is to treat any change as an upgrade and a conscious improvement rather than a means of coping with the market conditions. They change the spec and it just ends up being the way they build for that period of time.

Taylor did roughly the same thing with ebony, they treat striped ebony, which is the same wood as all black, as part of their identity now and part of a greener way of doing business.
 
I don't really have a problem with the richlite boards, I've played several and wouldn't have known unless someone told me. Now Gibsons I have more of a problem with, I've played maybe 3 new ones I got along with. Don't know why but every one just seems dull and lifeless, but ones from the 80s and 70s I like. Personally if I had the money to drop on a Gibson LPC the LP I bought wouldn't say Gibson on it.
 
I just have issues with the electronics on the '13-'14 models.

I will/would buy another '07 blonde beauty in a heart beat, even if I (gasp!!!!) refinished it :D
 
Marykelly":253d5rdt said:
Re: "Charging a lot of $$$" for Richlite

Gibson is a luxury brand, so marketing-wise their best option is to treat any change as an upgrade and a conscious improvement rather than a means of coping with the market conditions. They change the spec and it just ends up being the way they build for that period of time.

Taylor did roughly the same thing with ebony, they treat striped ebony, which is the same wood as all black, as part of their identity now and part of a greener way of doing business.
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We might start seeing more 'ebonized' fret boards too. My pre fender buyout Gretsch Brian Setzer hot rod has an 'ebonized' fretboard, basically a rosewood board, made to look black.

As for gibson, they had to do something to keep selling guitars, since the busts every few years.
 
For my money if I'm purchasing an LPC I wouldn't buy one with Richlite. I'd rather have ebony or maple darkened over richlite.

I don't think there are any issues with functionality or the tone but I have seen some richlite boards that have gotten a filmy look to it after a while.
 
Monster Plexi":mrahzrqd said:
In a nutshell, it's a faux wood material that Gibson made a very poor business decision to use it as a substitute for real rosewood on their fingerboards. I am sure this came about due to the "wood sting" a few years back. Nonetheless, a very poor business decision IMO.
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Richlite is Gibsons replacement for ebony not rosewood. They still use some ebony on limited runs but with ebony now becoming harder to source they are forced to find a replacement, just like many other manufacturers are.

Richlite looks and feels very similar to ebony. Tonally I doubt anyone could ever tell a difference either.

Gibson also uses some rosewood and maple on the Les Paul Customs but many seem to dislike that due to the wood being lighter in color.

With ebony becoming more endangered and harder to source I wouldn't call it a poor business decision to use alternatives. It's really the only decision they can do.

Gibson isn't the only one using richlite and it seems many more will follow very soon. Black ebony is not something you will see many manufacturers using much of in the near future.
 
I have no problem with richlite but am no way an apologist for Gibson's decision to use it.

They did it to reduce liability kept the prices the same and tried to downplay the materials downgrade.

Meanwhile you can buy better quality control made instruments with real ebony boards.
 
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