Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

[MetalManiac]

I wondered what Gibson would do after their supply of Ebony was raided.;

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/gibson-midtown-custom-electric-guitar

 

[Jessie's ghost]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

Richlite isn't exactly plastic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richlite

http://richlite.com/

But I kinda wished they'd just dyed some rosewood. Unless that's a problem now, too.

Edit: Oh, look!

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Designer/Gibson-USA/Midtown-Standard-with-Bigsby/Specs.aspx

Scroll down to "Fingerboard".

Species Rosewood or Richlite

Not sure what this means. There's a red one and a black one. Does one get rosewood and the other gets Richlite? Or do they just do it randomly based on which material they have in stock?

 

[ErikH]

I bet it feels really smooth.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

I think Martin uses it on some of their acoustics.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

Well its allowing Gibson to come up with some really nice and affordable looking new models. One person I know who bought one said he cannot tell the difference.

Gibson Midtown Custom Electric Guitar - $1499

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

^^^^^That natural and vintage sunburst look great.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

Glad to have it on my countertops; on a Gibson fretboard? No thanks.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

Glad to have it on my countertops; on a Gibson fretboard? No thanks.

You've never even played one to find out. Hell, it might be better for all you know.

 

[voggin]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

I have a d16 with it. I think it's great. I'd be all over those midtowns if they felt at all like my Martin.

 

[Coma]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

They're apparently faking Rosewood too: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/gibson-nighthawk-studio-electric-guitar

What the hell is "baked" maple?

 

[phil_104]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

You've never even played one to find out. Hell, it might be better for all you know.

People spend to much time thinking and talking about the guitar; not enough time playing.

They're apparently faking Rosewood too: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/gibson-nighthawk-studio-electric-guitar

What the hell is "baked" maple?

Maple that's been put through a kiln. Apparently it makes the wood react in a certain way, and changed the properties of it. MusicMan's been doing it for a while, so have other companies.

It's not what I would call "faking rosewood".

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

What the hell is "baked" maple?

Its a process that torifies the wood, makes it strong as hell and darkens it. It feels and has a tonal effect very similar to ebony. John Suhr makes entire necks from it and recommends it for touring musicians due to the durability. He even extended his warranty on baked maple necks for the same reason. If its dark enough, its cool. But the one's I've seen in person so far are on the lighter reddish-brown side and I don't care for that. I also don't care for lighter looking rosewood either, so that's just me I guess.

People spend to much time thinking and talking about the guitar; not enough time playing.

100% guilty!!

 

[phil_104]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

Its a process that torifies the wood, makes it strong as hell and darkens it. It feels and has a tonal effect very similar to ebony. John Suhr makes entire necks from it and recommends it for touring musicians due to the durability. He even extended his warranty on baked maple necks for the same reason. If its dark enough, its cool. But the one's I've seen in person so far are on the lighter reddish-brown side and I don't care for that. I also don't care for lighter looking rosewood either, so that's just me I guess.


100% guilty!!

Much better explanation of baked maple than mine! Well done.

As for thinking to much, I think we are all, or all have been guilty of this. It's a gear forum after all. But there comes a time when you need to separate yourself from the theory, and just go into the practice side of things. Some people never make that leap, and end up being convinced that A is better than B, without ever laying eyes in person on either.

With that said, I'll be curious to see what the Richlite fretboards feel like. If they are on Martins (I have tremendous confidence in that company), it could be an interesting material.

 

[trevorus]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

I have played Zon basses that are carbon fiber with this same material as a fingerboard, though it's his own blend of material for it. They felt and sounded fantastic.

 

[tonello]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

The Ebony model plays like a dream. I believe that's the Richlite one.

 

[Darth Nihilus]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

I just bought an Ace Frehley Budokan Les Paul with a Richlite board and it feels very similar to ebony but even smoother. Sounds great too!

I thought it would be crap but I played the guitar and it's without a doubt, the best sounding guitar I own

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

The fretboard is less than 10% of the guitar.

 

[RealtyViking]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

The fretboard is less than 10% of the guitar.

You are talking about collectors who still ponder the tone effect of a volute.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

The fretboard is less than 10% of the guitar.

None the less I would rather have real wood than composite materials on my guitar. I have heard the Graphite is suppossed to have sustaining quailties that are superior to most woods yet I would rather have a top notch peice of wood than any composite or wood alternative.

 

[XPAULPITT]

Re: Plastic "Richlite" Fingerboard

Baked maple is awesome and from what I hear Richlite is great too. Dont knock it til you try it.