Is there any hope of the Gibson RD being re issued?

Just get a Lakland Decade already.. sheesh!

 

I'd buy it. Krist Novoselic, baby!

 

An RD Artist is at the tippy top of my GAS list. By far my favorite sounding and looking bass out there. Those Moog electronics are something else!

However, i would honestly rather spend the ~$1300 on a used one than even think about how much Gibson would try to sell a re-issue version...

Aesthetically speaking though,

There are the First Act customs: http://firstact.com/ (I've heard mixed things though.)

And also the Japanese ESP/Edwards RD copies: http://www.espguitars.co.jp/artist/toshiya/index.html


But to answer your question... I think Gibson WILL reissue it sometime. I'd even bet on it being within the next 3-5 years. But, then the question is, will they be worth what Gibson will ask for them??

 

They probably won't build a faithful 15lb. 34 1/2" scale RD Artist.
I'm all in if they do though.

I actually got one of the Edwards. Only 10lbs. and a standard 34" scale. Pretty cool but I'm passing it on.

 

Sheesh, folks on this site complain of their AMPS weighing more than that...

 

It isn't 15 lbs, because the body is alder not maple.

 

No idea about playability but the Gibson RD Artist sure is a winner in the looks department.

 

I still have mine and its all maple construction, The neck is very P bass, not huge, but not thin.

They will never be able to reissue an RD properly as they can't or would not recreate the circuit. Too huge & expensive (noisy when pushed as well). Dont forget the reissued the guitar, but without the electronics.

The Decade & Rd are light years apart in sound. The Decade sounds more like a Gibson Les Paul standard bass. The Rd Artist is not as high output, no passive mode.

Also no bass can do what the Rd Artist can-it is truly a bass chameleon- Gibson's most versatile bass.



How about an all aluminim one?

 

Gibson are unlikely to re-visit the complex electronics on the RD, when changes to the technology has possibly made them obsolete. A simplified model is a possibility, I guess, but then you don't really get a true RD bass. I'm sure that wouldn't deter that many people.

Funnily enough it was meant to be a John Entwistle sig bass, but he didn't like it at all, so they named it after another member of The Who.

 

Why is it that when someone whips out a picture of an EGC, it makes what was previously discussed seem more normal next to the seemingly insane piece of aluminum?

 

well. there is hope.. because Gibson released a Ripper II..

and Moog is still in business, and china produces lower cost electronics.. so, it could be done..

but, would Gibson actually do it??

a Silverburst RD Artist would be nice..

 

Well, Moog was a part of (then Gibson owner) Norlin, but they are not part of Gibson now (but I think Oberheim is). So it is unlikely that Moog would participate designing the electronics. I guess many like the RD because of the looks. So if Gibson would build a bass that just looks like the RD there would be many that would like it anyway. To me, a real RD (Artist) is all-maple construction, active electronics with 2-band boost/cut (and knobs that go from -5 to 5), built-in compression/expansion, maple or ebony(!) board with pearl inlays (including side dots), headstock inlays (logo and that "flying shrimp"), 34 1/2" scale, vintage tuners (Schaller BM, though I have seen some RD with M4 tuners which I don't like much, those M4S used on the Victory would be an alternative), tri-point bridge with string through body. If there would be a reissue my guess would be: all maple construction (in natural or black), electronics like the Money Bass and hardware like the Thunderbird in chrome, no headstock inlays, no ebony board, 34" scale, they just call it the RD II and that's it. Well, I wouldn't buy one anyway as I have a '78 one (in sunburst).

 

Old thread, but I'd rather pick this one back up than start an entirely new one....
I'm making an RD Artist repro including the ridiculously heavy body and electronics. Not sure whether I will maintain the size of the circuit or shrink it down to more manageable proportions or not....SMD is do-able.

I have to ask though - does anybody know anything about the pickup's structure and specs? I know they are low output which makes me think they are underwound or use a heavier wire gauge....

 

If you were to make one I would try making a mahogany version. That warm passive tone is the only one it can not reproduce. I would also make the body a lot thinner for weight reduction.

I'm not sure about the pickups but you can find out about them at the lastbass outpost.com

 

Agreed. For the purposes of working from an existing reference point the first instrument will be a near-as-damnit copy. From thereonin I guess the second will be more like the CMT version but using a Mahogany as you suggest. Not considered a thinner body as of yet....depends on how the first one pans out!

I'll post over there and see what I can find. Ultimately I would like to modify the Moog circuit to make it both smaller and perhaps compatible with "standard" output level pickups if indeed it is useable with anything other than the originals. As a retrofit it would be an interesting proposition.

 

It's not as if the originals command some absurdly high resale price. Buy a used one and be happy that you dig a bass few others love!

 

I guess so, however I enjoy building my own and evolving them to my own nefarious ends. Ultimately I would like to extend the RD theme through to a five-string, perhaps with the neck-through Thunderbird/Firebird attribute. Not entirely sure yet. Ideally analysing the uniqueness of the Moog circuit and/or the pickups as part of the greater whole will help me imagine what I want to do with this. A secondary attribute would be providing a means for existing RD Artist owners to refresh or replace their boards with high-quality modern components.

 

Something tells me a complete redesign is in order, if you're going that far.