Gibson Les Paul Custom with Richlite

Postby **Mats A** » 24 May 2015, 11:12

What's the thoughts about this? I've been trying out a Custom with a Richlite board and i think it sounds and feels good. I've red some even prefer Richlite over. Ebony wich is a very sensitive piece of wood. It must be taken care of and oiled sometimes. It's also sensitive to weather and climat. I've played very little Custom with Ebony so i can't really tell if there's any difference with Richlite.

Postby **Torshalla** » 24 May 2015, 12:48

I never tried any... Is it a limited edition?

Postby **Sully807** » 25 May 2015, 01:39

If you played one and it sounds and looks good, why would you need out approval? is what I would ask, never experienced the richlite but that's the first I had heard ebony was a "sensitive" material for fingerboards, it's hardier than rosewood from what I know

Postby **Anitoli** » 25 May 2015, 03:58

Gibson has used Obeche on many models for years and no one seems to notice.........

Postby **Blues_N_Cues** » 25 May 2015, 04:10

if it floats yer boat then sail it Captain.

Postby **Mats A** » 25 May 2015, 10:36

Sure it's a very hard wood but Ebony can crack and twist if you don't take care of it. It's very sensitiv to climat changes and humidity. I don't seek any approval i was just curious.

Postby **Anitoli** » 25 May 2015, 11:24

Mats A wrote:Sure it's a very hard wood but Mahogany can crack and twist if you don't take care of it. It's very sensitiv to climat changes and humidity. I don't seek any approval i was just curious.

Mahogony isn't used for finger boards.

Postby **Mats A** » 25 May 2015, 12:20

Well guess i'm tired. I ment Ebony. But maybe they should try that:-)

Postby **Anitoli** » 25 May 2015, 12:41

I think the issue with ebony is it is going the same route as Brazilian rosewood, going to be cut into extinction. I dont and never have owned any guitars with Ebony boards so i cant attest to it's durability or maintenance requirements.

Postby **Torshalla** » 25 May 2015, 13:05

Many manufacturers seem to be using ebony... ESP seem to use it quite a bit...

Postby **Anitoli** » 25 May 2015, 13:15

Alot of the Ebony used now is not of the same grade/species as it once was. Dyeing the wood is almost mandatory with most ebony. If they didnt dye LP customs the fingerboards would look bizarre.

Undyed and dyed:

Postby **GuitarBuilder** » 25 May 2015, 20:50

Richlite is a fine substitute - Martin has been using it for years on their acoustics. Those who want to hear a difference will obviously hear something (that may or may not be there)......

Postby **Mats A** » 25 May 2015, 22:03

Every guitar even made the same way with the same woods will sound different. So it's almost impossible to say what difference a Richlite fingerboard will do if any. I really don't know how much the fingerboard really affects the tone since the string rings from the fret and not the board. I think as it's with many things when it comes to guitars and amps and stuff it's very much in the head. I got two R9 Les Pauls and i think what bothers me most is the 9 drilled weight relief holes and the small neck tenon on the non Historic Custom.

Postby **noise5150** » 26 May 2015, 10:39

My new(ish) Martin has a Richlite fingerboard and I love it. It feels as good or BETTER than any maple or ebony fingerboard I have owned and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another guitar with it. Plus, its supposed to be virtually impervious to cracking or wear.

Postby **Mats A** » 26 May 2015, 11:51

I know it's very durable. I read someone who tried several guitars with both Richlite and Ebony and he thought the guitars with Richlite often had a bit more upper mids and deeper bass. To me i know it's much the thought about it. A Custom should have an Ebony fingerboard. What differs a Custom from a Standard from 68 and onwards is the Ebony instead of Rosewood. Now it's Richlite. It came as a substitute. I doubt Gibson would use it if they could get enough good Ebony.