Return of the Gibson shocker thread!

[NippleWrestler]

Time for KEH to do a video. He loves this stuff.

[godgrinder]

So this is interesting:

https://www.mylespaul.com/threads/someb ... ue.482965/

Basically, a guy bought an Epiphone inspired by Gibson LP, in China, looked under the hood and it didn't look like mahogany and maple. He sent the guitar to a lab where they confirmed the woods used weren't as stated and were other timbers (canarium and birch). He then sued Gibson China. Epiphones website then added a clause that "specs may change" etc.

I wonder how far back this goes.

VERY far back. General consensus among Chinese guitarists is that Epi’s were never mahogany and probably not even nato.

[jeremyb]

Its not just the $1000 USD set of PAFs they just released

[Jay]

As leader of the I Hate Richlite Club, it doesn't matter what colour/finish they are if they have that garbage on there.

Got intrigued by such a strong statement... so looked it up and got this

What Is Richlite?
Richlite is a composite material that, among other things, is often used in place of traditional tonewoods for guitar fretboards and bridges. Made from recycled paper and pulp harvested from sustainably farmed trees, Richlite produces a hardened, durable material that they claim to be superior to other materials, especially ebony.

So a bit like MDF then without the water absorption quality and stained black?

I believe it is no longer used so was it a marketing shocker?

[AiRdAd]

As leader of the I Hate Richlite Club, it doesn't matter what colour/finish they are if they have that garbage on there.

Got intrigued by such a strong statement... so looked it up and got this

What Is Richlite?
Richlite is a composite material that, among other things, is often used in place of traditional tonewoods for guitar fretboards and bridges. Made from recycled paper and pulp harvested from sustainably farmed trees, Richlite produces a hardened, durable material that they claim to be superior to other materials, especially ebony.

So a bit like MDF then without the water absorption quality and stained black?

I believe it is no longer used so was it a marketing shocker?

It was used when they had the importing exporting rosewood thing going on

[GrantB]

I have owned Custom's with Richlite and Ebony. Nothing to see or hear of concern. Any issue with it is psychological, which is fine, but the tone argument is null.

[Slowy]

I have owned Custom's with Richlite and Ebony. Nothing to see or hear of concern. Any issue with it is psychological, which is fine, but the tone argument is null.

You're saying tone isn't psychological?

[GrantB]

I have owned Custom's with Richlite and Ebony. Nothing to see or hear of concern. Any issue with it is psychological, which is fine, but the tone argument is null.

You're saying tone isn't psychological?

No, it’s entirely psychological. I’m saying same ears, same brain, same soul will struggle to identify between those fingerboard variations.

The main issue is people cannot get over the fact it is not Ebony. And I’m acknowledging that it’s a real and reasonable position. However, tonally, there little basis for gnashing of teeth.

[Jay]

There goes the tonewood

[Slowy]

There goes the tonewood

But honestly, who ever bought a $15,000 electric guitar for the tone?

[Litterick]

Inspired by mahogany.

[goldtop0]

Not a shocker as such more a slightly bemused observation.
Called in to the K'Rd Rockshop the other day and a saw a latest Gibson CS '59 ES 335, got a soft spot 335s, reasonable neck and weight and a good tobacco sunburst finish asking $13k.
Last one I saw there was the last of the Memphis guitars a '58 ri that was August '19 at $8k.

[robthemac]

Not a shocker as such more a slightly bemused observation.
Called in to the K'Rd Rockshop the other day and a saw a latest Gibson CS '59 ES 335, got a soft spot 335s, reasonable neck and weight and a good tobacco sunburst finish asking $13k.
Last one I saw there was the last of the Memphis guitars a '58 ri that was August '19 at $8k.

Really makes you wonder who is buying new guitars.

[jeremyb]

Not a shocker as such more a slightly bemused observation.
Called in to the K'Rd Rockshop the other day and a saw a latest Gibson CS '59 ES 335, got a soft spot 335s, reasonable neck and weight and a good tobacco sunburst finish asking $13k.
Last one I saw there was the last of the Memphis guitars a '58 ri that was August '19 at $8k.

Really makes you wonder who is buying new guitars.

I also wonder if the Rockshop and others have them on consignment, its expensive keeping stock like that which never moves, you see it in the bike industry where the importer still owns the bikes that are on the shop floor...

[Litterick]

Not a shocker as such more a slightly bemused observation.
Called in to the K'Rd Rockshop the other day and a saw a latest Gibson CS '59 ES 335, got a soft spot 335s, reasonable neck and weight and a good tobacco sunburst finish asking $13k.
Last one I saw there was the last of the Memphis guitars a '58 ri that was August '19 at $8k.

Really makes you wonder who is buying new guitars.

I also wonder if the Rockshop and others have them on consignment, its expensive keeping stock like that which never moves, you see it in the bike industry where the importer still owns the bikes that are on the shop floor...

Sale or return. In bookshops, business and IT books are displayed on the promise that the distributor will take them back when they become outdated.