Q&A

When did Gibson stop using ebony?

When did Gibson stop using ebony?

In 1975, Gibson began making a number of Customs with maple fingerboards, instead of the typical ebony, which was discontinued by the early 1980s.

Why did Gibson use Richlite?

Richlite is a substitute for future guitar builds when there are no freakin’ tone wood trees left on planet earth. Richlite is “NOT” a magic substitute for quality materials so you can deliver bigger dividends to your stock holders. You! Gibson !

Is Richlite a good fretboard?

Richlite fretboards are incredibly durable while maintaining an ebony or rosewood look and feel. This acoustically superior material offers a consistent density that is moisture acclimated and inherently stable. Richlite fretboards are incredibly easy to maintain and withstand re-fretting without chipping.

When did Gibson stop using rosewood?

Since 1991, Brazilian Rosewood has been listed as an endangered species and has therefore been used sparingly by guitar makers. However, there have been some small runs here and there of Gibson guitars that do have Brazilian fingerboards, particularly during 2001-2003.

Does ebony wood float?

Ebony is one the very few wood species that does not float on water, but sinks to the bottom. It is heavy, dense and has superior bend strength as compared to any other wood species.

Is Pau Ferro better than Rosewood?

Pau Ferro has a tighter density than rosewood, meaning slightly less frequencies are absorbed into the fretboard. This results in a brighter, snappier tone, while still retaining the depth of rosewood designs. The feel of pau ferro is comparable to that of ebony, meaning an effortless, smooth playing experience.

What is Richlite made of?

Richlite is an FSC® certified product, made from post-consumer recycled paper. Sheets of paper are stacked up and saturated with a phenolic resin, then heat and pressure are applied. The resin then thermosets permanently with zero off-gassing. Learn more about how Richlite is made.

Does Richlite have a grain?

Richlite is featureless, it doesn’t have any grain like timber, so I would say yours is ebony. Unless they’ve started “distressing” their richlite, that would be ebony. ste1956 wrote: Unless they’ve started “distressing” their richlite, that would be ebony.

Does Richlite have Formaldehyde?

Richlite History & Facts It is made from resin-treated paper, which is then pressed and baked to create a solid and durable sheet. Richlite does not contain urea formaldehyde and Richlite products are GREEN GUARD certified for children and schools.

Is Richlite good for guitars?

Richlite’s fretboards are an acoustically superior product and the perfect alternative ebony fretboard. Our fretboards are durable, and moisture acclimated, making them inherently stable. Richlite has numerous advantages for the maker, manufacturer, or player of stringed instruments.

Which is better rosewood or maple fretboard?

Rosewood is also a more porous wood compared to the likes of Ebony and Maple so therefore offers a warmer, softer sound. You’ll often find that new strings won’t sound as harsh with a rosewood fretboard either – it will settle in nicely.

When was Brazilian rosewood banned?

In 1967, the Brazilian government outlawed the export of Brazilian rosewood logs and in 1992 the newly formed CITES convention declared Brazilian rosewood a threatened species.