KlapHat Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Gibson Les Paul Custom. Serial number: CS 201370 Anyone who can tell me if the fretboard is made of Ebony or Richlite ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Plains Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Send Gibson customer service an email and ask them directly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM2112 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 If you look closely at the fret board look for pores in the wood. You may need to reflect a light off the board. Ebony is a very tight and dense wood and there will be only a few visable pores. Richlite on the other hand will have absolutely no visable pores at all, and it's surface will be very smooth. I believe that Gibson began using Richlite on the their customs very late in 2011. If you're concerned about richlite, don't be. It's an awesome fretboard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblooded Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 The LP Custom Classics in 2011 and 2012 got baked maple boards. I don't know if they offered Richlite on any customs ever. But if they did, after having Richlite on my most played Midtown custom for over a year now, It is my favorite. Never have I had to clean it, it shows absolutely no wear or marks of any kind, has very little friction, and is sonically equivalent to ebony (at least to my ear). It seems to be the perfect fretboard material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KlapHat Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 Thanks guys.. I'm not going to pretend that I can hear or feel the difference between ebony or richlite, and the guitar plays really well. :-) But I do like the thought of real ebony, and not some paper/plastic kind of material. (The model I'm talking about) http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-Custom/Les-Paul-Custom.aspx But yeah maybe I should just ask Gibson customer service. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibson CS Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Gibson Les Paul Custom. Serial number: CS 201370 Anyone who can tell me if the fretboard is made of Ebony or Richlite ?? Hi, 2012 Les Paul Custom serial# CS 201370 has a Richlite fingerboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobF_ Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 If you're interested in the reason behind the change from ebony, this might have something to do with it. Well worth the time to watch it: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KlapHat Posted February 12, 2013 Author Share Posted February 12, 2013 Hi, 2012 Les Paul Custom serial# CS 201370 has a Richlite fingerboard. Thanks :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pin Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 I would never buy any guitar that is not made of proper wood. Pure unadulterated prejudice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGLPEXP Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 If you're interested in the reason behind the change from ebony, this might have something to do with it. Well worth the time to watch it: So then, I must ask as I would gladly accept a multicolored, perhaps striped, ebony fretboard on a Les Paul Custom. I am compelled to ask why Gibson cannot reintroduce ebony on its guitars? What, in the economics and the arguments for or against, is preventing Gibson from using different gradations of ebony? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobF_ Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 Maybe Gibson doesn't want to buy ebony from Taylor ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGLPEXP Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 Perhaps it is that simple. Maybe not. I don't understand how it can be used in an Epiphone product but not a Gibson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobF_ Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 My response was a bit flip, I have to admit. I obviously don't know the answer. Maybe it is as simple as Gibson wanting to go a step further than Taylor. Taylor says, "Accept broader grades of ebony." Gibson says, "Why does it have to be ebony?" FWIW, I have a new Yamaha acoustic that has a streaky ebony fingerboard. I *like* the way it looks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnappi Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Thanks guys.. I'm not going to pretend that I can hear or feel the difference between ebony or richlite, and the guitar plays really well. :-) But I do like the thought of real ebony, and not some paper/plastic kind of material. (The model I'm talking about) http://www2.gibson.c...aul-Custom.aspx But yeah maybe I should just ask Gibson customer service. ;-) Now that you have your answer, let me tell you this... My Les Paul Supreme and Midtown custom have richlite and I have absolutely no problem with it. A signmaker on another site a way back said he makes premium priced outdoor signs from richlite and out in the sun, rain, and snow the signage looks like new after many years. Add to that if a countertop made of richlite can stand up to the harsh treatment people give counter tops I think richlite was a good choice by Gibson... we'll see in 50 years :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGLPEXP Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I work on Richlite countertops every day, all day at the laboratory. My response to Gibson? I bought a used 2001 LP Custom with an ebony board. More than one way to save a tree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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