Back to the main page Back to category Electric Guitar
musical instrument details
Gibson RD Artist 1978
Estimated price for orientation: 2 500 $
Category: Electric Guitar
Class:
Description Condition: Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: Gibson Body Material: Solid Wood Body Type: Solid Features: Built-in Amp, Built-in Effects Model: RD ARTIST Model Year: 1978 String Configuration: 6 String Items Included: Case Dexterity: Right-Handed Country/Region of Manufacture: United States Body Color: Fireburst MPN: Does Not Apply
One of the guitars that I had to have for my collection was the Gibson RD ARTIST. I liked the unique body shape the unique on board electronics that were designed by Bob Moog. During the Norlin era of Gibson, Moog was owned by Gibson. The body is Maple and well as the neck that is bonded together with three pieces. Neck scale is 251/2" with Ebony fretboard and huge mother-of-pearl inlays. The headstock has a fancy engraved "Winged F" inlaid. Plenty of fret life.The turners are Gibson labeled Schallers. MOOG Electronics Defined: " Three way toggle switch. The pickups are preamped with an onboard transformer and 9-volt battery. Each pickup has it's own active volume control that is at maximum "Normal" volume in the middle. Roll it down and cut the volume, roll it up and boost the output with the preamp. Both pickups share tone controls which were separate knobs for treble and bass. Similarly, these were at normal high output in the middle with frequency boost or cut on either side. The RD Artist is equipped with a second three way toggle called the "Trick Switch". The middle position is "Neutral" allowing the active electronics to work as described. The front position was a bright switch that boosted the treble frequency for cut-through on lead solos. The back position activates the "Expander Compression" circuitry. In this mode when the bridge pickup is selected, then the expander kicks in making the guitar more responsive to the pickups. Expansion gives a fast explosive response with rapid decay. When the front pick-up is selected, the compression is activated. With the compression, you reduce the initial attack response and increase the signal sustain of the notes. This makes a very expressive guitar." ---------- Got that? That is the clinical definition with regard to the capabilities of the RD Artist. Oh by the way "RD" is defined by Gibson as "Research and Development". I will tell you that you can create a lot of effects with the MOOG and all those switches.
As I set out to find my choice for my RD Artist, I wanted it to be perfect of condition as one could find. I found on this one. All the wood and finish was in great shape with the exception of some buckle rash on the backside. When I got the guitar and had a chance to play and marvel at all the engineering that went into it. I didn't like that the gold plating on both the pickup covers which happens to most gold covers in time. I took it to my luthier for a set up and to go over it as I do with all my guitars when I get them. I told him to replace the gold covers on the Series VI humbuckers. He tells me that they can't exchange the covers. I was bummed. Visually distracting. The pickups sound and work as designed but gross looking.
I wanted my RD Artist to look as close to "New" as I could. I wrote Gibson Support and asked them which current Gibson pickups would preform as close to the Series VIs? They wrote back to me that the "Re-Issue Gibson Dirty Fingers" would be their choice. So, I bought two new "Dirty Fingers" for my RD. They don't sell them with gold covers so I also bought a pair for Gibson gold covers. He installed them and they work perfect. A very loud guitar. I also had him replace all the gold screws with new to include the back covers, truss rod cover and pickguard. I didn't stop there. I had him send off the TP-6 fine adjusting tail piece and the bridge to a plating shop and had the gold re-plated on the original parts. The gold studs are new OEM Gibson. To complete the "New" look, I found a "New Old Stock" pickguard. Original Gibson hardshell case. Included in the price and the sale are the original Series VI humbuckers, original screws, and pickguard. Here's a chance to own and play a piece of unique Gibson history by owning a RD Artist. I have original manual and electrical schematics for you too. Prior to the sale of all my guitars, I have a complete profession set-up to include new strings (9's). New 9 volt battery installed.Please ask any and all questions. Paypal ONLY. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS can use eBay's "Global Shipping Program".
Thank you for looking.
Description
| Condition: | Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition | Brand: | Gibson |
| Body Material: | Solid Wood | Body Type: | Solid |
| Features: | Built-in Amp, Built-in Effects | Model: | RD ARTIST |
| Model Year: | 1978 | String Configuration: | 6 String |
| Items Included: | Case | Dexterity: | Right-Handed |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States | Body Color: | Fireburst |
| MPN: | Does Not Apply |
One of the guitars that I had to have for my collection was the Gibson RD ARTIST. I liked the unique body shape the unique on board electronics that were designed by Bob Moog. During the Norlin era of Gibson, Moog was owned by Gibson. The body is Maple and well as the neck that is bonded together with three pieces. Neck scale is 251/2" with Ebony fretboard and huge mother-of-pearl inlays. The headstock has a fancy engraved "Winged F" inlaid. Plenty of fret life.The turners are Gibson labeled Schallers. MOOG Electronics Defined: " Three way toggle switch. The pickups are preamped with an onboard transformer and 9-volt battery. Each pickup has it's own active volume control that is at maximum "Normal" volume in the middle. Roll it down and cut the volume, roll it up and boost the output with the preamp. Both pickups share tone controls which were separate knobs for treble and bass. Similarly, these were at normal high output in the middle with frequency boost or cut on either side. The RD Artist is equipped with a second three way toggle called the "Trick Switch". The middle position is "Neutral" allowing the active electronics to work as described. The front position was a bright switch that boosted the treble frequency for cut-through on lead solos. The back position activates the "Expander Compression" circuitry. In this mode when the bridge pickup is selected, then the expander kicks in making the guitar more responsive to the pickups. Expansion gives a fast explosive response with rapid decay. When the front pick-up is selected, the compression is activated. With the compression, you reduce the initial attack response and increase the signal sustain of the notes. This makes a very expressive guitar." ---------- Got that? That is the clinical definition with regard to the capabilities of the RD Artist. Oh by the way "RD" is defined by Gibson as "Research and Development". I will tell you that you can create a lot of effects with the MOOG and all those switches.
As I set out to find my choice for my RD Artist, I wanted it to be perfect of condition as one could find. I found on this one. All the wood and finish was in great shape with the exception of some buckle rash on the backside. When I got the guitar and had a chance to play and marvel at all the engineering that went into it. I didn't like that the gold plating on both the pickup covers which happens to most gold covers in time. I took it to my luthier for a set up and to go over it as I do with all my guitars when I get them. I told him to replace the gold covers on the Series VI humbuckers. He tells me that they can't exchange the covers. I was bummed. Visually distracting. The pickups sound and work as designed but gross looking.
I wanted my RD Artist to look as close to "New" as I could. I wrote Gibson Support and asked them which current Gibson pickups would preform as close to the Series VIs? They wrote back to me that the "Re-Issue Gibson Dirty Fingers" would be their choice. So, I bought two new "Dirty Fingers" for my RD. They don't sell them with gold covers so I also bought a pair for Gibson gold covers. He installed them and they work perfect. A very loud guitar. I also had him replace all the gold screws with new to include the back covers, truss rod cover and pickguard. I didn't stop there. I had him send off the TP-6 fine adjusting tail piece and the bridge to a plating shop and had the gold re-plated on the original parts. The gold studs are new OEM Gibson. To complete the "New" look, I found a "New Old Stock" pickguard. Original Gibson hardshell case. Included in the price and the sale are the original Series VI humbuckers, original screws, and pickguard. Here's a chance to own and play a piece of unique Gibson history by owning a RD Artist. I have original manual and electrical schematics for you too. Prior to the sale of all my guitars, I have a complete profession set-up to include new strings (9's). New 9 volt battery installed.Please ask any and all questions. Paypal ONLY. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS can use eBay's "Global Shipping Program".
Thank you for looking.
As I set out to find my choice for my RD Artist, I wanted it to be perfect of condition as one could find. I found on this one. All the wood and finish was in great shape with the exception of some buckle rash on the backside. When I got the guitar and had a chance to play and marvel at all the engineering that went into it. I didn't like that the gold plating on both the pickup covers which happens to most gold covers in time. I took it to my luthier for a set up and to go over it as I do with all my guitars when I get them. I told him to replace the gold covers on the Series VI humbuckers. He tells me that they can't exchange the covers. I was bummed. Visually distracting. The pickups sound and work as designed but gross looking.
I wanted my RD Artist to look as close to "New" as I could. I wrote Gibson Support and asked them which current Gibson pickups would preform as close to the Series VIs? They wrote back to me that the "Re-Issue Gibson Dirty Fingers" would be their choice. So, I bought two new "Dirty Fingers" for my RD. They don't sell them with gold covers so I also bought a pair for Gibson gold covers. He installed them and they work perfect. A very loud guitar. I also had him replace all the gold screws with new to include the back covers, truss rod cover and pickguard. I didn't stop there. I had him send off the TP-6 fine adjusting tail piece and the bridge to a plating shop and had the gold re-plated on the original parts. The gold studs are new OEM Gibson. To complete the "New" look, I found a "New Old Stock" pickguard. Original Gibson hardshell case. Included in the price and the sale are the original Series VI humbuckers, original screws, and pickguard. Here's a chance to own and play a piece of unique Gibson history by owning a RD Artist. I have original manual and electrical schematics for you too. Prior to the sale of all my guitars, I have a complete profession set-up to include new strings (9's). New 9 volt battery installed.Please ask any and all questions. Paypal ONLY. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS can use eBay's "Global Shipping Program".
Thank you for looking.