The Guitar Magazine – September 2019

response that keeps the Richrath right at the front
of a mix.
At the same time, an explosive blast of harmonic
overtones characterises the attack, along with
massively solid single notes and an overall density
that makes individual chords sound like they’re
double-tracked. It doesn’t take long to determine that
this is an out-and-out rock Burst, with exceptional
cutting power, otherworldly sustain and sheer balls.
Given its stellar rockin’ abilities, the Richrath’s
clean tones come as a bit of a surprise. These are not
especially bright-sounding PAFs and there’s nothing
to suggest that the cover removal has enhanced the
upper mids or extended the treble. But they do sound
more powerful than the DC readings alone might
suggest – 7.96k (neck) and 8.74k (bridge).
Both pickups are very clear and we encounter a
fluid mellowness in the neck position that’s pleasingly
devoid of any wooliness in the low end. The bridge
position sounds slightly less open and transparent,
but compensates with a chewy midrange bark and
a hint of cocked-wah resonance.
That said, all the controls operate exactly as we
would expect on a 1950s Gibson, so the tonal range
and clean-up abilities are exceptional.

Some describe 50s Bursts as being like Telecasters

on steroids, partly because they can be so snappy

and airy. That broadly tallies with our Burst

experience thus far, but less so with the Richrath,

because it couldn’t be mistaken for anything other

than a Les Paul.

Despite its rocking attributes, the Richrath is not

such a wild ride as the Duggie Lock Burst, which

Lucky Fret sold shortly before we featured it in early

2018. That guitar seems to have a mind of its own
      that obliges players to either wrestle back control
      or hang on for the ride. In contrast, the Richrath
      has a milder manner and is easier to play, but by
      no means lacks sonic intrigue.
      It’s claimed that some sunburst Les Pauls aren’t
      that special, and no doubt some are better than
      others, but we have yet to play an original Burst
      that truly disappoints. They are all unique, to some
      extent, and although the Richrath is by far the most
      rock-oriented Burst we’ve tested, it more than holds
      its own against the rest of them.

LIKE THIS? TRY THESE...

Gibson Custom 60th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Standard £5,199,

Eastman SB59/v-GB £1,999, Patrick James Eggle Macon Single Cut £4,200

ABOVE As with many vintage

Bursts, there are visible

mineral streaks in the maple

that show up as dark lines

OPPOSITE LEFT The darker

areas reveal where the

ƼōĭžĩƤÝžƤŕŸōƇĩŸŕƍġĩ

to the wood, but the neck

was later oversprayed

OPPOSITE RIGHT TOP

Besides the pickup swap, the

control wiring is untouched

and features four properly

working pots and two paper-

in-oil bumblebee capacitors

OPPOSITE RIGHT MIDDLE

The guitar has recently had

a refret and the ’board was

levelled in the process

OPPOSITE BOTTOM The

guitar retains its original

Catalin switch tip

VINTAGE BENCH TEST

GUITAR MAGAZINE 63