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-   -   interesting Video on Richlite fingerboards (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=563179)

Guitartanzon 11-08-2019 03:25 PM

interesting Video on Richlite fingerboards
 
Found this quite interesting and informative.

Changed my opinion on Richlite. Its not a cheap substitute for Ebony, its a wood product made of paper and resin, and in many ways its superior to Ebony.

https://youtu.be/0UT7Me7FUdw

AcousticDreams 11-08-2019 03:42 PM

Great video. Really enjoyed it. Thanks for posting.

Dbone 11-08-2019 03:54 PM

It does seem like a good idea. Still rubs me the wrong way a bit for some reason from a traditionalist perspective.

I had thought that stuff was new to market. Learned something in that video. Thanks. Had no idea it has been around that long.

Guitartanzon 11-08-2019 04:07 PM

I was glad I found It and wanted to share it in the forum.

I am in the market for a used Gibson G series. I want the standard now, with the richlite fretboard and bridge. Do not have to worry about oiling if too dry, or warping or chipping. I am sold.

Jaden 11-08-2019 04:35 PM

Close to half of the acoustic guitars I’ve owned have had ebony fretboard and bridge, but no richlite - one day I’ll catch up to improving with this smooth, more durable material not subject to contraction and expansion.

Rudy4 11-08-2019 04:42 PM

There's a superior product to Richlite available and it's starting to make the rounds in the luthiery community.

The product is Rocklite Ebano (ebony substitute) and Rocklite Sundari (rosewood substitute). The material is made from actual wood fiber and is not made from the finer paper pulp. I've used it on a few instruments and love it.

Here's a quick video from O'Brien Guitars relating his experience with the rosewood (Sundari) variety:

https://youtu.be/0Q3ckhjYV2I

DownUpDave 11-08-2019 04:55 PM

Yes thank you very much for sharing. Fascinating that it’s been around since the 1920s and used for exterior building products as well. I have no issue with it being on guitars. Plastic tortoise and ivoroid bindings seem widely accepted.

Arthur Slowhand 11-08-2019 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitartanzon (Post 6206380)
I am in the market for a used Gibson G series. I want the standard now, with the richlite fretboard and bridge.

I had one set aside last week, but took home the Studio, on a 14 day trial to compare with my J-15. Just couldn't bring myself to buy the Standard because of the Richlite; caring for the (walnut) fingerboard is part of the enjoyment of owning a nice instrument, in my view. Good luck finding a used one.

rumble 11-08-2019 05:02 PM

Thanks for the very informative post. I’ve owned one guitar ,Martin, with a Richie fretboard . Very smooth and problem free . I like the concept of the coloration and detail character through radiusing the material.

jklotz 11-08-2019 05:14 PM

I had a Martin Jeff Tweedy for a while. It had a richlite fb. When I first got it, it seemed just fine, but after spending some time with it, the very slight "rubbery" feel of it started to bug me a little. A lot of folks say they can't tell the difference. I could.

stringjunky 11-08-2019 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jklotz (Post 6206431)
I had a Martin Jeff Tweedy for a while. It had a richlite fb. When I first got it, it seemed just fine, but after spending some time with it, the very slight "rubbery" feel of it started to bug me a little. A lot of folks say they can't tell the difference. I could.

If you can feel the FB whilst playing you are pressing too hard.

TBman 11-08-2019 05:43 PM

My Martin D-16GT has the richlite fretboard and I didn't know it until well after I bought it. It feels fine. What I really think is fake looking is ivoroid binding on the fretboard. I have some guitars with it, but as I age I like the unbound fretboard look the best.

Wade Hampton 11-08-2019 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitartanzon (Post 6206363)
Found this quite interesting and informative.

Changed my opinion on Richlite. Its not a cheap substitute for Ebony, its a wood product made of paper and resin, and in many ways its superior to Ebony.

https://youtu.be/0UT7Me7FUdw

Some of us on this forum have been saying these things about Richlite for years now, whenever the subject comes up. It’s never made the slightest difference: the usual reaction most folks on here have to Richlite is to bristle with indignation. The facts of the situation rarely seem to matter.

Those of you who’ve watched the video and have an open mind have changed your opinions, and good for you. But I suspect that the next time the subject of Richlite comes up the reactions will be about the same.


Wade Hampton Miller

David Eastwood 11-08-2019 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stringjunky (Post 6206437)
If you can feel the FB whilst playing you are pressing too hard.

Indeed. .....

slooky 11-08-2019 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jklotz (Post 6206431)
I had a Martin Jeff Tweedy for a while. It had a richlite fb. When I first got it, it seemed just fine, but after spending some time with it, the very slight "rubbery" feel of it started to bug me a little. A lot of folks say they can't tell the difference. I could.

Rubbery feel? If it had a slight rubbery feel it wasn't richlite.


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