The Guitar Magazine – September 2019

pots are original, and the ‘bumblebee’ capacitors are
the earlier paper-in-oil types.
Visual evidence suggests this guitar was played
a lot and the neck finish was duly worn through to
the wood in patches. Maybe a previous owner didn’t
appreciate the played-in feel, so fresh lacquer was
blown over the surviving finish.
Although this gives the neck the glossy feel of a
much newer instrument, the wear pattern is still
visible. Aside from the worn corner of the body
adjacent to the cutaway, the back was left untouched
and the finish on the top is completely original.
Like many Bursts, the Richrath’s fingerboard has
been levelled during a recent refret. It’s quite easy
to see because the fingerboard-binding height tapers
downwards towards the body and the tops of some
side dots edge into the rollover.
According to the luthier who carried out the refret,
levelling the ’board was unavoidable – someone
had attempted to repair fingerboard wear divots
with filler and there was also a very slight twist.
There certainly isn’t now: there are no playability
issues whatsoever.
It also helps that string pressure hasn’t caused
the original wireless ABR-1 bridge to sag noticeably.

VINTAGE BENCH TEST

GUITAR MAGAZINE 59