Although we’ve been making Richlite since 1943, it’s a fairly new material to the guitar industry. We put together a video with our most frequently asked questions and explain everything down to the nitty-gritty details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Features + Benefits

Acoustically superior and consistent density
Moisture acclimated and inherently stable
Durable while maintaining an ebony look & feel
Hand made in the U.S.A. and FSC® Certified
Impact resistance and span superior to wood products
Machines with standard tooling just like working with hardwoods
Richlite will not corrode from or absorb oils, perspiration or dirt.

Applications

Fretboards
Bridges
Speaker enclosures
Practice drum pads
Drumsticks
Stage flooring

Fabrication

Richlite machines with standard tooling, just like working with hardwood.
All Richlite-to-wood mating surfaces must be abraded or scored for proper adhesion (100-150 grit recommended).
Fret slots can be cut with carbide cutters or diamond tooling. Due to the hardness of Richlite versus natural wood material, fret slots must be cut slightly wider.
Richlite can be left with an unfinished satin finish or brought to a high-polish finish with buffing compound, as desired.

Care + Maintenance

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 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. Enjoy creativity with a conscience: earth-friendly Richlite offers the only sustainable alternative to vanishing natural hardwoods. Enjoy creativity with a conscience Aside from the user benefits of Richlite fretboards, many notable guitar manufacturers recognize the geo-political implications of a more sustainable material.

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

Because it’s made from 65% recycled paper, this creates a very environmentally friendly alternative. When you add on the endangered statuses of certain tree species like Ebony and Rosewood, Richlite is better option for guitar manufacturers.

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Richlite Fretboards

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