The Richwood RE-135 Artist Series “Tree of Life” is a rare Korean-made limited-edition single-cut electric guitar built around a striking combination of solid mahogany construction, a quilted maple top and extensive mother-of-pearl ornamentation.

The defining feature is the spectacular Tree of Life inlay, which runs the full length of the rosewood fingerboard and is complemented by mother-of-pearl detailing around the body, neck and headstock.

Underneath the ornate cosmetics is a traditional set-neck, dual-humbucker design, with a solid mahogany body, set mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, gold hardware and passive twin-humbucker electronics.

Only 168 RE-135 Tree of Life guitars were produced across seven finishes, making these increasingly uncommon on the used market.

This Pre-Owned example is in Good condition.

AT A GLANCE

Detail	Specification
Brand	Richwood
Series	Artist Series
Model	RE-135 Tree of Life
Type	Limited Edition Single-Cut Electric
Country of Manufacture	Korea
Body	Solid Mahogany
Top	Quilted Maple
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Inlay	Mother-of-Pearl Tree of Life
Pickups	Dual Humbuckers
Condition	Good / Pre-Owned

PRE-OWNED CONDITION REPORT

This is a Pre-Owned Richwood RE-135 Tree of Life in Good condition.

The Good condition grade reflects an instrument showing noticeable cosmetic signs of previous use while remaining fully functional and ready to play.

Given the extensive mother-of-pearl detailing, quilted maple top and gold-plated hardware, buyers should study the photographs carefully for the exact cosmetic condition of the top, binding and hardware on this individual example.

The exact weight, finish name and case status have not been supplied and have therefore not been assumed.

LIMITED EDITION TREE OF LIFE MODEL

The RE-135 was produced as a particularly ornate limited-edition model within Richwood’s Artist Series.

Surviving examples and period sales information consistently describe a total production of 168 guitars, divided across seven finishes, with approximately 24 instruments in each colour.

That makes the RE-135 considerably rarer than most standard-production Richwood guitars.

KEY FEATURES

• Richwood RE-135 Artist Series

• “Tree of Life” Limited Edition

• Korean-made construction

• Single-cutaway body

• Solid mahogany body

• Quilted maple top

• Set mahogany neck

• Rosewood fingerboard

• 22 frets

• Full-length mother-of-pearl Tree of Life inlay

• Mother-of-pearl fingerboard binding

• Mother-of-pearl headstock binding

• Mother-of-pearl body binding

• Dual passive humbuckers

• 3-way pickup selector

• Independent Volume and Tone controls

• Tune-O-Matic-style bridge

• Stopbar tailpiece

• Gold-plated hardware

• Grover-style tuners

• Good Pre-Owned condition

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

The RE-135 is all about visual impact without abandoning a familiar, usable guitar format.

Its quilted maple top and elaborate Tree of Life inlay make it look far more exotic than most guitars in its price bracket, while the set-neck mahogany construction and dual humbuckers keep the playing experience straightforward.

The limited production run also gives it genuine collector appeal beyond its decorative specification.

DETAILED FEATURES & BENEFITS

Solid Mahogany Body

The body is constructed from solid mahogany, giving the guitar a warm, resonant tonal foundation with plenty of midrange weight.

Quilted Maple Top

The quilted maple top provides the RE-135 with much of its visual character.

The figuring creates a deep, three-dimensional appearance under the finish and complements the ornate binding particularly well.

Set Mahogany Neck

The mahogany neck is glued into the body using set-neck construction.

This gives the guitar a smooth neck-to-body transition and the familiar feel associated with traditional single-cut designs.

Rosewood Fingerboard

The rosewood fingerboard provides a comfortable playing surface and acts as the backdrop for the guitar’s defining decorative feature.

Tree of Life Inlay

The full-length mother-of-pearl Tree of Life inlay runs across the fingerboard in a flowing vine pattern.

It is the most recognisable feature of the RE-135 and gives the model a genuinely distinctive identity.

Mother-of-Pearl Binding

Mother-of-pearl detailing continues around the fingerboard, headstock and body, making the guitar unusually ornate even by limited-edition standards.

22-Fret Layout

The RE-135 uses a traditional 22-fret layout.

Dual Humbuckers

A pair of passive humbuckers provides a thick, powerful response suitable for clean playing, blues, rock and heavier driven tones.

Independent Controls

The traditional control arrangement allows each pickup to be adjusted independently for Volume and Tone.

Three-Way Toggle

A 3-way pickup selector provides:

• Neck pickup

• Both pickups

• Bridge pickup

Tune-O-Matic-Style Bridge

The adjustable bridge allows accurate individual string intonation.

Stopbar Tailpiece

The fixed stopbar provides secure string anchoring and contributes to the traditional single-cut feel.

Gold Hardware

Gold-plated hardware complements the ornate inlay work and gives the RE-135 a premium visual finish.

WHO IS IT FOR?

The Richwood RE-135 is particularly well suited to:

• Players wanting a visually distinctive single-cut guitar

• Collectors of unusual limited-edition instruments

• Rock players

• Blues guitarists

• Classic rock musicians

• Players who like ornate inlay work

• Fans of Korean-made guitars

• Guitarists wanting something less common than a standard Les Paul-style model

PLAYING STYLES & APPLICATIONS

The RE-135 works particularly well for:

• Rock

• Classic rock

• Blues

• Hard rock

• Alternative

• Indie

• Lead guitar

• Rhythm guitar

• Clean humbucker tones

• Overdriven playing

• Studio recording

HOW IT COMPARES

RE-135 vs Standard Single-Cut Guitar

A typical single-cut guitar tends to use relatively restrained cosmetic appointments.

The RE-135 adds a quilted maple top, extensive mother-of-pearl binding and a full Tree of Life fingerboard inlay, giving it a much more elaborate appearance.

RE-135 vs Standard Richwood Models

The RE-135 sits apart from regular Richwood production because of its limited run, ornate construction and higher decorative specification.

Set Neck vs Bolt-On

A set neck creates a smoother body joint and gives the guitar a more traditional single-cut construction than a bolt-on design.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Richwood
Series	Artist Series
Model	RE-135 Tree of Life
Edition	Limited Edition
Country of Manufacture	Korea
Body Shape	Single Cutaway
Body Material	Solid Mahogany
Top	Quilted Maple
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Neck Material	Mahogany
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Frets	22
Fingerboard Inlay	Mother-of-Pearl Tree of Life
Binding	Mother-of-Pearl Style / Shell
Pickup Configuration	HH
Pickups	Dual Passive Humbuckers
Electronics	Passive
Switching	3-Way Toggle
Controls	Independent Volume / Tone
Bridge	Tune-O-Matic Style
Tailpiece	Stopbar
Hardware	Gold-Plated
Tuners	Grover-Style
Condition	Good / Pre-Owned

POWER REQUIREMENTS

None.

The Richwood RE-135 uses passive electronics and requires no battery or external power supply.

FAIR DEAL MUSIC EXPERT VERDICT ★★★★★

Best suited for: Players and collectors wanting an unusually ornate limited-edition single-cut guitar with genuine rarity and strong visual impact.

Customers usually upgrade from: Standard entry-level single-cut guitars, basic dual-humbucker electrics and more conventional Richwood models.

Most commonly paired with: Valve amplifiers, overdrive, distortion, boost, delay and reverb.

Our tip: The RE-135’s strongest selling point is the combination of rarity and visual specification. Photograph the Tree of Life inlay, body binding and quilted top in plenty of detail, because those are the features buyers will respond to first.

Showroom feedback: The RE-135 looks far more extravagant than most guitars in its price bracket. The Tree of Life inlay and quilted maple top make an immediate impression, while the conventional set-neck humbucker layout keeps it very usable.

WHY BUY PRE-OWNED FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

Buying a Pre-Owned Richwood RE-135 Tree of Life gives you the opportunity to own a relatively rare Korean-made limited-edition guitar with a specification that stands well apart from standard Richwood production.

This example is in Good condition.

Fair Deal Music has decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging unusual and Pre-Owned electric guitars.

WHY BUY FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music combines a large Birmingham showroom with nationwide ecommerce and knowledgeable musician-led advice.

Customers benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987

• Birmingham's largest independent music store

• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews

• Knowledgeable musician-led advice

• Extensive experience with Pre-Owned and unusual guitars

• Large Birmingham showroom

• Secure online ordering

• Fast UK delivery

• Friendly customer support

• Part-exchange and trade-in service

TRADE IN. TRADE UP. SAVE MORE.

Your current guitar or other musical equipment could help towards the cost of this Richwood RE-135.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and a wide range of musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.

PART EXCHANGE / TRADE-IN

If you already own a guitar or other musical equipment you are considering replacing, Fair Deal Music can assess it for part exchange.

Trading in can remove the inconvenience of selling privately while allowing the value of your existing equipment to go directly towards your next instrument.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is this Richwood RE-135 used?

Yes. This is a Pre-Owned Richwood RE-135 in Good condition.

Is it the Tree of Life model?

Yes. It has the full-length Tree of Life fingerboard inlay.

Is it a limited edition?

Yes. Surviving documentation describes a run of 168 guitars across seven finishes, approximately 24 in each colour.

Where was it made?

Korea.

What is the body made from?

Solid mahogany.

What is the top made from?

Quilted maple.

What is the neck made from?

Mahogany.

Is the neck set or bolt-on?

It uses set-neck construction.

What fingerboard does it have?

Rosewood.

How many frets does it have?

22.  

What is the Tree of Life inlay made from?

It is described on surviving examples as mother-of-pearl.

Does it have decorative binding?

Yes. Mother-of-pearl-style shell detailing is used around the body, neck and headstock.

What pickups does it have?

Two passive humbuckers.

What controls does it have?

Independent Volume and Tone controls with a 3-way pickup selector.

What colour is the hardware?

Gold.

Does it require a battery?

No.

What condition is it in?

It is in Good condition.

Does it come with a case?

Case inclusion has not been specified for this individual guitar.

Is every quilted maple top identical?

No. The figuring varies naturally from instrument to instrument.

Is it collectible?

Its limited production run and distinctive Tree of Life specification give it strong interest among collectors of unusual Korean-made guitars.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers guitars and a wide range of other musical equipment for part exchange.