Page 33 - Guitar Classics Magazine - The Les Paul Bible 2019

VINTAGE BENCH TEST

n the world of vintage-guitar collecting,
provenance is of huge importance. And when
it comes to vintage Les Pauls, the stakes are
I very high indeed. This is one ’59 that comes with
its history well documented and a former celebrity
owner. Currently for sale via Lucky Fret Music Co in
London’s Shoreditch neighbourhood, the Richrath
Burst (serial number 9 0614) is named after its
former owner, REO Speedwagon’s Gary Richrath. In
2018, it was played on stage at Cardiff’s Motorpoint
Arena by Joe Bonamassa.
Richrath – REO Speedwagon’s lead guitarist,
songwriter and occasional singer between 1970
and 1989 – was a Burst collector. Although there
are no known photographs of him playing this guitar,
it was acquired by well-known guitar dealer Jacques
Mazzoleni in around 1989. The instrument had
been in the possession of Richrath’s ex-girlfriend
and Mazzoleni’s partner was a friend. From there, it
went to another vintage dealer, Richie Friedman and
then to noted collector Kosta Kovachev. The Richrath
was traded to yet another dealer, Gil Southworth, THE RICHRATH BURST IS NAMED
before returning to Mazzoleni in 1998.
It wasn’t long before the Richrath Burst made its AFTER ITS FORMER OWNER, GARY
way to its current owner, who has been in possession
of the instrument for 21 years. The guitar also appears RICHRATH OF REO SPEEDWAGON.
in several of Vic DaPra’s books beloved of Les Paul
IN 2018, JOE BONAMASSA PLAYED IT
enthusiasts including Burst Believers II and III.
DEEP DIVE AT CARDIFF’S MOTORPOINT ARENA
Although the guitar is largely original, close
inspection reveals there are a few issues to consider.
Although Klusons are the only machineheads ever to
have been fitted, one of the tuners doesn’t match the played-in feel, so fresh lacquer was blown over the OPPOSITE The original colour
others and removing the replacement unit reveals a surviving finish. survives under the pickguard
‘PAT APPLD’ stamp on the underside, meaning that Although this gives the neck the glossy feel of a to provide a tantalising
it was manufactured between 1953 and 1956. much newer instrument, the wear pattern is still glimpse into how the guitar
looked when new
Photographs from 1994 show the Richrath visible. Aside from the worn corner of the body,
Burst with covered pickups. Although the current, adjacent to the cutaway, the back was left untouched ABOVE The guitar retains its
uncovered set comprises a pair of genuine PAFs, and the finish on the top is completely original. original Catalin switch tip
they aren’t original to the guitar. Like many Bursts, the Richrath’s fingerboard has
Swapped pickups might be a concern to some, been levelled during a recent refret. It’s quite easy
but the fact that they are highly sought-after units to see because the fingerboard-binding height tapers
with white bobbins may mitigate this somewhat, downwards towards the body and the tops of some
along with the pair of original covers stashed inside side dots edge into the rollover.
the case. Besides the pickup connections on the According to the luthier who carried out the refret,
volume pots, all other solder joints appear untouched. levelling the ’board was unavoidable – someone
The pots are original, and the ‘bumblebee’ capacitors had attempted to repair fingerboard wear divots
are the earlier paper-in-oil types. Visual evidence with filler and there was also a very slight twist.
suggests this guitar was played a lot and the neck There certainly isn’t now: there are no playability
finish was duly worn through to the wood in patches. issues whatsoever. It also helps that string pressure
Maybe a previous owner didn’t appreciate the hasn’t caused the original wireless ABR-1 bridge to

THE LES PAUL BIBLE 33