NBD: 1977 Gibson RD Artist

[A. D. Fairhurst]

So, after borrowing this bass from the previous owner for a recording session, I took the plunge and finally bought the thing. I've borrowed it before for other sessions for almost 2 years, but was always put off by some crackling and popping noises that appeared when I moved around whilst playing it. I took it to a tech and turns out all that was wrong was a very tired jack socket and a grounding issue. £40 later and I have the bass of my dreams, fully functional and ready to gig (in a few months of course)!
In short, I am in love with this bass. Everything about it from the look, to the sound and even just the way my hand rests on the top of the body is perfect and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. If you want to hear it, check out my band Oceans on Mars on Spotify (or most streaming services for that matter) and listen to the song "Don't Tell Me Where I Am". Anyway, anough rambling. Here's what you all came for:

 

[Guild B301]

Very Nice!!! But, be VERY careful with the circuit board in those. Be gentle. I got an RD Artist new in 1978. (Except natural maple.) The reason I had to get rid of it was being unable to get the problems with the circuit board fixed. How much does yours weigh? Mine was over 14 pounds. I like the sunburst and rosewood fingerboard!

 

[msb]

I almost bought one , but it was simply too heavy .

 

[ajkula66]

That looks very well-kept for its age, congratulations!

I've owned an RD Standard for 11 years and loved it. Mine was black with ebony fingerboard.

While RDs are somewhat an acquired taste in general, there's nothing quite like them.

Play it in good health and enjoy!

 

[mikeswals]

Nice! To me, those look best in sunburst.

 

[scuzzy]

Gorgeous bass!

 

[A. D. Fairhurst]

Very Nice!!! But, be VERY careful with the circuit board in those. Be gentle. I got an RD Artist new in 1978. (Except natural maple.) The reason I had to get rid of it was being unable to get the problems with the circuit board fixed. How much does yours weigh? Mine was over 14 pounds. I like the sunburst and rosewood fingerboard!

I don’t have any scales in my house so I can’t tell you how much it weighs, but my Jazz bass weighs 10lbs exactly and the RD is a fair bit heavier!

 

[40Hz]

Congratulations. It's another one of those basses (like so many of the Gibson basses from that era) that have their own unique sound. And they all (Ripper, G3, Victory series, RD series) record very nicely such that you can hear each individual note played. Accept no substitutes. Because there aren't any.

Play it well!

 

[A. D. Fairhurst]

Congratulations. It's another one of those basses (like so many of the Gibson basses from that era) that have their own unique sound. And they all (Ripper, G3, Victory series, RD series) record very nicely such that you can hear each individual note played. Accept no substitutes. Because there aren't any.

Play it well!

I will, don’t worry! (Funnily enough a Ripper is next on my hitlist)

 

[bassclef112]

Nice! I had one just like that for a while. It was an anchor without a doubt. I never could get into the Moog circuits, they didn't do anything to enhance what I was playing. Having said that, I thought the pickups alone sounded outstanding.
Overall, the weight overcame the sound and I had to flip it.
Good luck with yours!! Enjoy.

 

[kesslari]

I don't think I've seen a sunburst before. Beautiful bass, and you've already used it to get good sounds. Play some more great music on it!

 

[Basshappi]

Congrats!
I had a black RD Artist. It was my first quality bass.
If it had been a lefty I'd still have it to this day, it sounded like God's piano.

 

[MAJOR METAL]

I've never seen one in Sunburst! Congrats, rock it in good health!

 

[bassclef112]

I don't think I've seen a sunburst before.

When I got mine back in 2005, because they were predominately natural or black, sunburst was still uncommon and in the forums it was referred to as the "mustard and ketchup" finish! I loved the look!

No mistake, super build. I loved the neck and playing it passive hit the mark for me. What a tone! To repeat, if they ever came back with those pickups passive I'd be all over it!!! But gigging it every night was more than my back could handle.

I will echo - treasure those circuit boards - finding replacements, or repair is the definition of finding hen's teeth, even back when I got it.

A unique Gibson design. Congrats again!!!

 

[seedokebass]

So, after borrowing this bass from the previous owner for a recording session, I took the plunge and finally bought the thing. I've borrowed it before for other sessions for almost 2 years, but was always put off by some crackling and popping noises that appeared when I moved around whilst playing it. I took it to a tech and turns out all that was wrong was a very tired jack socket and a grounding issue. £40 later and I have the bass of my dreams, fully functional and ready to gig (in a few months of course)!
In short, I am in love with this bass. Everything about it from the look, to the sound and even just the way my hand rests on the top of the body is perfect and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. If you want to hear it, check out my band Oceans on Mars on Spotify (or most streaming services for that matter) and listen to the song "Don't Tell Me Where I Am". Anyway, anough rambling. Here's what you all came for:
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Sweet bass and I love the song, your tone is killer! Love the overdrive parts too!

 

[A. D. Fairhurst]

Nice! I had one just like that for a while. It was an anchor without a doubt. I never could get into the Moog circuits, they didn't do anything to enhance what I was playing. Having said that, I thought the pickups alone sounded outstanding.
Overall, the weight overcame the sound and I had to flip it.
Good luck with yours!! Enjoy.

I agree with it you fully about the sound. The Moog stuff is completely useless to me, but the sound of both pickups turned on and the knobs all cranked up is a thing of true beauty. As for the weight, I have never gigged with a bass under 10lbs (not by choice, it just happens that I've bought a few hefty basses over the years) so I'm just used to it!

 

[A. D. Fairhurst]

I don't think I've seen a sunburst before. Beautiful bass, and you've already used it to get good sounds. Play some more great music on it!

Thanks for the kind words man!

 

[A. D. Fairhurst]

Sweet bass and I love the song, your tone is killer! Love the overdrive parts too!

Thank you!

 

[Buney]

So, after borrowing this bass from the previous owner for a recording session, I took the plunge and finally bought the thing. I've borrowed it before for other sessions for almost 2 years, but was always put off by some crackling and popping noises that appeared when I moved around whilst playing it. I took it to a tech and turns out all that was wrong was a very tired jack socket and a grounding issue. £40 later and I have the bass of my dreams, fully functional and ready to gig (in a few months of course)! It's a beauty. Same year roughly as this one! Do you recognise it?
In short, I am in love with this bass. Everything about it from the look, to the sound and even just the way my hand rests on the top of the body is perfect and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. If you want to hear it, check out my band Oceans on Mars on Spotify (or most streaming services for that matter) and listen to the song "Don't Tell Me Where I Am". Anyway, anough rambling. Here's what you all came for:
View attachment 3819053
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[A. D. Fairhurst]

Sweet bass! Just curious, but what model Barts are those, just in case my pickups ever break down? Also, did you have any trouble getting them to play nicely with the Moog board?