What is Gibson Richlite?

A new option called Richlite, which was based on wood products but much stronger and consistent, was developed and quickly became popular for demanding applications.

Does Gibson use Richlite?

In a recent article Gibson announced that after about twenty years of research, they have decided that Richlite paper phenolic not only makes a comparable alternative to woods like ebony, it is superior in many ways.

Are Richlite fingerboards any good?

Objectively speaking, Richlite is actually a very good material to make a fingerboard with. Richlite never shrinks, swells, warps, cups or twists over time. Meanwhile, Ebony is not the most dimensionally stable wood in the world. Richlite is typically very homogeneous in colour.

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.

How do you maintain a Richlite fretboard?

Richlite is a durable product requiring no special conditioning or cleaning products. Richlite will not corrode from or absorb oils, perspiration or dirt. Wipe clean with a soft cloth, if necessary.

Richlite Fretboard Questions Answered in this FAQ Video

Does Richlite need to be oiled?

Richlite (the company) recommends mineral oil. I wouldn't advise using naptha as it will dry the material and may look chalky over time. Lemon oil is not recommended for Martin rosewood or ebony fingerboards.

How much does Richlite cost?

Uses wood pulp from only certified forests. Available in a beautiful range of colors! Also available in every skateboarder's favorite sustainable crop – hemp! The more affordable of the two products – in the range of $10 to $15 per square foot for the raw material.

What is Richlite made out 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.

How do you care for Richlite?

A simple wipe up with soap and warm water on a regular basis will maintain its beauty. Richlite's testing laboratory recommends that fabricators finish the surface with a non-oil-based sealant to provide a rich, polished finish that requires minimum care. Generally speaking, Richlite® resists stains quite well.

Is Richlite heavy?

Richlite weighs 6.5 lbs per square foot at 1” thick.

What is Richlite used for?

Today, you can find Richlite being used for almost any application, including residential, commercial, industrial, exterior cladding, furniture, musical instruments, skateparks, automotive, toys, culinary, and even jewelry.

Is Ebony fretboard better than Rosewood?

In short, Ebony is a much harder wood compared to Rosewood and feels slicker to touch. It produces brighter and snappier tones, while Rosewood produces a more balanced overall tone.

Why did Gibson use Richlite?

After two decades of research and discussions with guitarists, Gibson determined that Richlite was not only the best alternative to woods like ebony, but was actually superior. Although the downside is that it's more expensive to make guitars with Richlite fretboards than ebony, there are some very attractive benefits.

What is Martin Richlite?

Richlite is basically Micarta. It's a synthetic, very hard plastic material with some of the properties of wood.

Is Richlite the same as Micarta?

Whereas micarta is made of resin-impregnated cloth, Richlite uses paper instead of fabric. This generally produces a denser material that's more stable and easier to machine. So, Richlite is certainly a great knife handle developed in 1943.

What is the best wood for a guitar fretboard?

The Big Three Fretboard Woods

• Ebony. Considered the supreme tonewood for fingerboards due to its solidity, resiliency, and firmness, ebony was the primary fretboard wood in use from the 15th century till very recently. ...
• Rosewood. ...
• Maple. ...
• Indian Laurel. ...
• Ovangkol. ...
• Padauk. ...
• Pau Ferro. ...
• Walnut.

What resin is in Richlite?

Composed of approximately 65% FSC®-certified or recycled paper content and 35% phenolic resin, Richlite's color comes from a combination of the paper and the amber tone of the resin.

Is Richlite antimicrobial?

Richlite is water-resistant, naturally antimicrobial, has low moisture absorption, heat and fire resistant, extraordinarily dense and durable, and has a natural appeal due to its paper construction.

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 Rocklite Ebano?

Rocklite is a man made product, engineered entirely from real, sustainable wood. It is NOT vulcanised paper! Rocklite is designed to replicate exactly the beautiful exotic hardwoods, whose very existence is now so endangered by excessive and in some cases illegal logging.

Why does Rosewood have a fretboard?

Rosewood Fretboard Sound and Care

Rosewood is a warm, sweet tonewood. Compared to maple the difference is notable, as rosewood will soften the sound, even for guitars with maple necks. This is one of the reasons some guitar players prefer Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters with the option of a rosewood fretboard.