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Gibson RD GAS

Hoodywah

Hoodywah

Feb 11, 2014
55
17
Athens, GA
Disclosures
None as of yet
#1
So, I'm sitting around minding my own business when suddenly GAS strikes! Oh lord, what to do?! What to do?!
Actually, I have been in love with the look of the RD series of yore for years and years. I, in fact did buy a '78 Artist a couple of years ago but the electronics were a bit fudged and I sold it soon after. Then, I borrowed a natural '78 Standard from a friend of mine that had it in his vintage shop here in Athens, GA. The only problem there was that the neck had been cracked at one point and it was playable but not fully fixable...the neck would always be warped.
Is there any reason these basses don't seem to have the appeal that oh so many others have? I think they are beautiful and sound really nice. My Artist was a killer playing bass but I'm not an active bass guy.
 
#2
Many folks avoid them because of the weight. If you go for it, make sure you've got a great strap. :) I have one, and I think they're underrated (but then, I kind of like the Ripper, after all, too). If I could only have one bass, neither the RD or the Ripper would be it, not even in the top 10, but I love them for the sounds they make that nothing else does. And the RD just looks cool as hell. :cool:
 
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#5
scourgeofgod said:
Not really the same thing but:

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Well, that is certainly rad. I could do some major upgrading to that thing. I do wish Warmoth or someone would offer this body cut in different woods.
I would absolutely not use it as my main axe. I have a frankensteined Jaguar Bass MIJ that kicks the living crud out of everything else I've ever owned aside from sound specific basses like my Fender P with a bridge mute and flat wounds. You know. I just like the look and sound of them. I'm head engineer at a local studio and love options. My other GAS is currently for an Epi Thinderbird Classic Pro IV. I'd get a Lull if it were financially possible. In fact, I'd rather if Mike Lull would build me an RD. Haha! I'd save for that.
 
#6
Hoodywah said:
Well, that is certainly rad. I could do some major upgrading to that thing. I do wish Warmoth or someone would offer this body cut in different woods.
I would absolutely not use it as my main axe. I have a frankensteined Jaguar Bass MIJ that kicks the living crud out of everything else I've ever owned aside from sound specific basses like my Fender P with a bridge mute and flat wounds. You know. I just like the look and sound of them. I'm head engineer at a local studio and love options. My other GAS is currently for an Epi Thinderbird Classic Pro IV. I'd get a Lull if it were financially possible. In fact, I'd rather if Mike Lull would build me an RD. Haha! I'd save for that.
Click to expand...

I came close to picking one of these kits up, I contacted Adam at Pitbull about getting one with a blank 4-inline paddle headstock instead of the 2+2 Gibson style. He said he could have one made for me that would be ready around April/May for $259, but since I had planned to use my own hardware and electronics it would only be $205 for just the body and neck. I decided to put the money towards finishing another project instead, the wait period was the deciding factor.
 
#8
I'm not terribly worried about the weight. I mean, I know its heavy but if I play it out, it won't be for long. I just want to own one in good shape.

scourgeofgod said:
I came close to picking one of these kits up, I contacted Adam at Pitbull about getting one with a blank 4-inline paddle headstock instead of the 2+2 Gibson style. He said he could have one made for me that would be ready around April/May for $259, but since I had planned to use my own hardware and electronics it would only be $205 for just the body and neck. I decided to put the money towards finishing another project instead, the wait period was the deciding factor.
Click to expand...

That is really cool! I wonder if he could have it made in different woods. I'm also curious about why it's soooo inexpensive.
 
#9
I'm sure it's a "you get what you paid for" kind of situation to some extent, but it also depends on how well you do during the assembly process and the quality of parts you use. You can check out a lot of builds in the community forums, some are surprisingly good. The basswood didn't sway me, but they offer other woods in some other kits and body blanks, I'm sure Adam could work out having an RD body made from something else.
 
#10
scourgeofgod said:
I'm sure it's a "you get what you paid for" kind of situation to some extent, but it also depends on how well you do during the assembly process and the quality of parts you use. You can check out a lot of builds in the community forums, some are surprisingly good. The basswood didn't sway me, but they offer other woods in some other kits and body blanks, I'm sure Adam could work out having an RD body made from something else.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I like that advice...I'm also not totally sold on the Jazz pup situation but hey, I might just hit him up and see what happens.
 
#12
I love mine. I actually like the ergonomics when I play it standing. It was my first real bass, so I got used to dealing with its idiosyncrasies along the way. 20 years later, it is irreplaceable to me.

Good luck on your quest, OP!
 
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#13
Thanks! I have emailed that company about that kit. I'm not against building some franken bass with that body if the neck fit will work with anything else. It will not quell my lust for an original '77 or '78 natural finish standard.
 
#18
Hoodywah said:
Thanks! I have emailed that company about that kit. I'm not against building some franken bass with that body if the neck fit will work with anything else. It will not quell my lust for an original '77 or '78 natural finish standard.
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Won't cure your GAS, true, but it'll be far easier on your shoulder! :)
 
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#20
Well, these are from the seller so, I guess I have that to share.
image.jpg
image.jpg
 
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