1978 Gibson RD Artist

Introduced in 1977, the Gibson RD series was one of the more unusual guitars to come out of the Norlin era of Gibson. Produced at a time when Norlin also owned Moog, the RD series was developed alongside Bob Moog with the aim of appealing to the growing synthesiser market of the late '70s, with the higher end Artist models featuring on board active circuitry designed by Moog. Although an unsuccessful model for Gibson at the time, the RD series has been used by players such as Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic over the years, and have recently become somewhat of an oddball collectors item. 

This 1978 Gibson RD Artist is in exceptional condition, and features the Moog designed on board active electronics. The RD is constructed from a maple body that looked like a slightly more futuristic take on a Firebird shape, along with a a Maple neck and Ebony fingerboard with block pearloid fret markers and custom headstock inlay. The RD Artist also features a longer 25 1/2" scale length. The body is fitted with a set of lower output humbuckers, while the on board 'compression and expander' electronics give the player the option of switchable dynamic compression and a bright mode, giving a range of tonal options that pair particularly well with high gain playing. 

This guitar is in excellent, all original condition with barely any signs of play wear for an instrument of its age, with the exception of four small holes in the top that have been dowelled by our luthier, filling in where a previous non original stop tailpiece had been installed. This repair is of a very high standard, and is only particularly visible at certain angles. 

As with all our vintage instruments, this guitar has been given a full service and appraisal by the luthier at the Vintage Instrument Workshop and is guaranteed for 3 years in line with our vintage instrument warranty.