It seems that Richlite had crept into the Ibanez camp as well. Fortunately, it's limited to a veneer top seen here in this RGDR4327 (available at Swee Lee: $3,199). The body's core is mahogany & fretboard is ebony.
If you don't already know, Richlite is a paper-resin composite. It has proven its worth as a durable, water-proof & fire-resistant alternative to wood. As such, Richlite is readily embraced in the interior decor industry as a premier component for kitchen counter tops. In the mean time, the guitar industry includes Richlite in its instrument construction rather sparingly for an obvious reason; it's not wood & has a different tone manifestation. As such, Martin & Gibson, among others, designated Richlite as an alternative fretboard material as opposed to a major instrument component (body/ soundboard) so as to avoid averse reactions in this aspect. Even if it's proven that Richlite appeals tonally, purists wouldn't want a non-wood element in guitars as it devalues the instruments.
