I tried richlite yesterday...

[Mike From Canada]

Hi Everyone,

 

I tried a guitar with a Richlite fretboard for the first time yesterday. It was a Martin, not a Gibson. The store had no Gibsons with Richlite boards, unfortunately.

 

I found that it was hard like Ebony, but it felt dry to the touch. Does anyone know if this goes away with time?

 

It wasn't a huge big deal, but there was a difference, and it wasn't good.

 

Also, since it doesn't expand or contract with humidity changes, does the fretboard either detaches from the neck or hang past it a bit if the guitar dries out a lot? In Canada, it gets dry in the winter.

 

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

Mike

[CowboyBillyBob1]

Hi Everyone,

 

I tried a guitar with a Richlite fretboard for the first time yesterday. It was a Martin, not a Gibson. The store had no Gibsons with Richlite boards, unfortunately.

 

I found that it was hard like Ebony, but it felt dry to the touch. Does anyone know if this goes away with time?

 

It wasn't a huge big deal, but there was a difference, and it wasn't good.

 

Also, since it doesn't expand or contract with humidity changes, does the fretboard either detaches from the neck or hang past it a bit if the guitar dries out a lot? In Canada, it gets dry in the winter.

 

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

Mike

Which Martin model uses Richlight?

[BigKahune]

.

 

Several of the cheap ones like the X series. When they have a richlite FB they usually have a richlite bridge too.

 

 

.

[Malchik]

Hi Everyone,

 

I tried a guitar with a Richlite fretboard for the first time yesterday. It was a Martin, not a Gibson. The store had no Gibsons with Richlite boards, unfortunately.

 

I found that it was hard like Ebony, but it felt dry to the touch. Does anyone know if this goes away with time?

 

It wasn't a huge big deal, but there was a difference, and it wasn't good.

 

Also, since it doesn't expand or contract with humidity changes, does the fretboard either detaches from the neck or hang past it a bit if the guitar dries out a lot? In Canada, it gets dry in the winter.

 

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

Mike

Martin and Gibson do not buff-out their Richlite boards before they sell them. Richlite does get smoother/slicker as you wear it in, much like ebony.

 

I would also be very worried if your neck shrunk enough to notice the difference. That is some extreme drying out, and the neck and body should have been sealed with a polyester sealer before finished at the plant.

[badbluesplayer]

I believe that Gibson will eventually stop using Richlite in their Gibson branded guitars. I'm thinking that a Richlite fretboard lowers the value of the guitar in the future market by like 25% to 50% compared to one with a wooden board.

[Tim Plains]

Which Martin model uses Richlight?

Oh no, I think somebody's bubble just burst. Those winged headstocks aren't so bad now, eh?

Stay away from these forums. The more you learn about guitars, the more there is not to like.

 

Just kidding.

[CowboyBillyBob1]

Oh no, I think somebody's bubble just burst. Those winged headstocks aren't so bad now, eh?

Stay away from these forums. The more you learn about guitars, the more there is not to like.

 

Just kidding.

My Midtown Standard has a Richlite board and I kinda like it. Looks great on this Black guitar and it feels good too.

 

Oddly enough the wing thing bothers me. I don't know why because my LP Standard is a super guitar. I know I am being silly but I just don't like the wings.

[bobouz]

In the "Wings" thread, which apparently has vanished into cyberspace, I mentioned that Martin has been using alternative materials for a long time, beginning with Micarta fretboards & bridges in 2001 for most 16 series instruments, which then gave way a few years ago to Richlite, and is now seen in most of their less expensive instruments. I just noticed the other day that the OM-1GT now sports a Richlite board & bridge, whereas on my '09 OM-1, it was rosewood. This appears to be an ongoing trend for Martin.

[kidblast]

I know I am being silly but I just don't like the wings.

 

BillyBob,,,

 

you're just not using the right sauce with 'em.

 

I like em a bit spicy personally..

[RUSHian]

I have a Richlite board on my LP Shred and it awesome! Not dry at all.

[CowboyBillyBob1]

BillyBob,,,

 

you're just not using the right sauce with 'em.

 

I like em a bit spicy personally..

I like to use Jam instead of sauce.

[JM2112]

My Martin OMC-16OGTE has a richlite fretboard, and I LOVE everything about it: feel, playability, tone, appearance, etc.

 

As far as an extremely dry environment is concerned you would be better off talking to Martin about that or whoever makes the guitar if you buy one. I've had mine for 2 years and I keep an Oasis humidifier in it during the winter and have had no issues at all, but I don't live in Canada either.

[CowboyBillyBob1]

I like the richlite boards. Not "dry" and I don't get where that comes from.

 

I am for moving on and Ricchlite is cool by me.

[bbrodie]

I like the richlite boards. Not "dry" and I don't get where that comes from.

 

I am for moving on and Ricchlite is cool by me.

 

Same here. I have a Martin Performing Artist Series guitar that has a Richlite board. It's not dry and it's not just used on Martins cheap guitars and X Series guitars. Mine was around $1,300.

Richlite is used on some of the FSC Certified models costing close to three grand as well as other mid to higher range models. I've had my Martin for over a year and had no problems. The guitar is guaranteed for life and mine was built in Nazereth, Pa which is about an hour from my home. I visit the plant a few times a year and get to talk to some pretty nice folks that work there. Richlite is probably here to stay. Martin is investigating alternatives to solid wood guitars. For me, it plays really well and feels pretty close to Ebony, doesn't feel like plastic and the fine people at Martin tell me it machines like ebony.

[amon]

I found that it was hard like Ebony, but it felt dry to the touch. Does anyone know if this goes away with time?

I played a Steinberger with a synthetic neck for several years, same problem. Currently I still have an entirely synthetic Switch guitar, same problem. Spraying the board with Finger Ease every thirty minutes is the only thing that kinda helped.