1978 Gibson RD Standard bass

• Solid Maple body • 3-piece laminate maple neck • 14 degree headstock pitch • maple fretboard • two series IV humbuckers • 34 1/2 inch scale

This is a typical 1978 RD Standard. Other than the two colours available, Natural and Ebony, with their corresponding maple and ebony fingerboards, there were no variations within this model. All RDs, both guitars and basses, were produced at Gibson's famous Kalamazoo plant, in Michigan, USA.

As with the RD Artist, and the Ripper, it was equipped with the Gibson three-point bridge and Schaller BM tuners. Of course the RD Standards controls are much simpler than the RD Artist; just three speed knobs: two volume, one tone. The same configuration as the Thunderbird. These controlled some specially designed series III humbuckers that were used on no other model, although the wiring loom itself was the same as that of the bicentennial Thunderbird.

Being all-maple, and quite a large instrument, the RD series basses are very heavy, with the Standard slightly heavier than the Artist; no doubt due to the larger electronics cavity of the latter. Typical RD Standard basses weigh in at around 5.4kg.

The RD Standard had the same asymmetric maple body as the Artist. As stated in the RD77 owners manual, this body design gives "overall balance and support for the right arm never before available in the solid body type guitar".

This RD body is constructed of three pieces of maple, clearly visible through the Natural clearcoat. Note the ferules towards the lower end of the body; this is where strings enter the bass when strung through-body, rather than just to the bridge.

The pickups fitted to the RD Standard bass were not the same as those fitted to the RD Artist; the Standard used series III (or IV!) humbuckers in a typical passive circuit - Gibson part numbers 13063 (neck) and 13064 (bridge), whilst the Artist used series V humbuckers. The confusion over the specific naming of these pickups relates to inconsistency in Gibson's naming them themselves in 1978 literature, using series III in the 1978 catalog and May price list, yet series IV in the '78 RD brochure.

The Standard was fitted with three identical black speed knobs, numbered 0-10 - this is in contrast to the RD Artist which has two of it's knobs numbered 5-0-5 (see the RD Artist's controls here). There are two volume controls, one for each pickup, and one master tone control.

Both basses in the RD series, like the Ripper that preceded them, were made to be strung through-body (i.e. strings enter from the body reverse), as seen here, or to the bridge. Stringing through the body increases sustain, but also increases the firmness of the strings when played.

The three point bridge had been in use (first on the EB series of basses) from 1973, though was typically seen fitted with a chrome-plated cover. The RD series were the first basses to use these bridges without a cover.

The RD Standard and Artist basses are constructed of a maple body and set (glued in) three piece maple neck. Note the large body contour.

The RD series had typical two-screw, bell-style truss rod cover with model designation and white revealed edge. Width at nut is 1 5/16".

The RD Standard had a much simpler headstock than the Artist: no ornate inlays, just a simple silk screened Gibson logo. Tuning keys are open-gear Schaller BM.

The serial number 70968098 tells us that this bass was stamped on the 6th April 1978 (day 096), at the Gibson Kalamazoo plant, and was the 98th instrument stamped that day. As with all Gibson guitars and basses built after 1970, the words 'MADE IN U.S.A.'

Gibson RD Standard circuitry

The RD Standard circuit was simple, and for the first time on a Gibson bass, the schematic was reproduced on the inside of the cavity cover. The control cavity itself was shielded with foil, as shown. The loom consisted three potentiometers, all 100kΩ audio taper, Gibson part 70035, and one .047µF capacitor. The pots fitted to this bass are are CTS brand and dated 1977.

RD Standard bass sound clips

These sound clips are recorded directly into a mobilepre preamp. Recorded with round wound strings, and played with a pick. My favourite setting is the fourth, with the tone turned down on both pickups. These recordings were recorded with low gain, but this bass really growls when you turn it up a couple notches.

Compare these clips with those of the RD Artist here.

Gibson RD bass guitars for sale

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1980 Gibson RD Artist Bass Sunburst

Antioch, Tennessee, 370**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3999

Very good condition 1980 Gibson RD Artist Bass. All original, outside of the removal of the Moog electronics. Original pickups sound MASSIVE and have tons of low end on tap. Really a special bass from Gibson that was not made that long. Original sunburst finish looks great on this specific bass. Some signs of play as pictured, but nothing crazy. All electronics have been tested to be working perfectly. Recently set up as well. Kept in a smoke free, pet free studio for recording purposes. Comes ... more

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