Page 37 - Guitar Classics Magazine - The Les Paul Bible 2019

VINTAGE BENCH TEST

sag noticeably. There’s a slight curve, but the string OPPOSITE The darker areas
radius is good and the strings are always where your reveal where the inish
pick or fingers expect – unlike some vintage Gibsons. was worn through to
the wood, but the neck
We suspect the Richrath has seen more sunshine
was later oversprayed
than smoky bars, because although it’s unblemished,
the top has almost faded into an ‘unburst’. There’s ABOVE The Richrath has
still a hint of extra darkness around the edges of the never needed any headstock
deep amber lacquer, though and the vivid original repairs and was never drilled
cherry red survives as a pickguard-shaped shadow. for Grover or Schaller tuners
The retreated sunburst reveals even more of
LEFT TOP The tuner with
the outrageous flame and mineral streaks in the
the darker button is a
bookmatched maple. It has an almost holographic replacement, but it’s an
appearance, and when the light hits it at the right earlier ’53-’56 no-line Kluson
angle, the effect is breathtaking.

PLUGGED IN
Having played numerous sunburst Les Pauls from
the golden era, we’ve learned that the reality can
differ from the widely held fantasy. Some fondly
imagine that 1950s Bursts exemplify the raw power,
endless sustain and sheer grit of the ultimate rock
guitar. Not all Bursts are created equal, but the
Richrath ticks those boxes better than most.
It’s certainly on the heavier end of the late-
50s spectrum, although it’s relatively lightweight

THE LES PAUL BIBLE 37