RD Artist Technical Specifications

Body and neck

Maple body, three-piece maple laminate neck. Maple or Ebony fretboard

Gibson RD Electrics

Gibson RD Artist circuit schematic (1977). The schematic is correct for both the RD Artist bass and the RD Artist guitar. The Moog circuit boards for guitar and bass are also identical, and some of the components differ, including two pots attached to the board, which have slightly different shaft lengths to suit the relative body sizes; 1 1/8" for the guitar, and 1 3/8" for the bass.

The RD Artist bass Moog circuit board and associated wiring. Note how the pickups join the board; a pin and socket attachment rather than a soldered joint. Presumably this is to prevent heat damage to the chips on the printed circuit board. Click for a larger version.

The expander sensitivity and decay time adjuster (the circular black components, bot ton left and top right) can be changed by rotating the central white section with a small screwdriver

The Moog circuit board has a user changeable setting in the back of the board, the expander sensitivity - this requires a small flat-head screwdriver to adjust. This obviously adjusts the sensitivity in the expansion mode, clockwise adjustment increases sensitivity to pick attack.

There is also one more setting on the top of the board, the decay time control. This is factory set, and inaccessible to the user unless the circuit board is actually removed. The factory setting for this control might be, completely clockwise for bass, and half way round for guitar. Do you know differently?

Switches

The Moog board for both versions of the RD Artist is identical, although the associated wiring and switching obviously changes between the 1977 and 1979 versions. As can be seen below, the early versions had a 3-way switch (left), and in 1979 this was replaced by two 2-way toggle switches (right). Both images below show the switch from the front, and from within the control cavity. The old 3 way switch was mechanical unreliable and is prone to sticking, though relatively simple to fix with switch cleaner and fine sand paper.

RD Artist bass hardware

Gibson RD parts list (1981) - All the components listed with part numbers

A closer look at the RD Artist and its components

Machine heads Schaller BM, or Schaller M4
Pickguard Five ply - BWBWB
Truss rod cover Inscribed with 'RD ARTIST BASS' in block capitals
Bridge Gibson three point
Pickups Series V humbuckers

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

1978 Gibson RD Artist "NATURAL BLONDE" Electric (MOOG) Bass + OHSC

San Jose, California, 951**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4000

1978 Gibson RD Artist Bass Guitar + Original Gibson Hardshell Case
" NATURAL BLONDE" FINISH
GIBSON NORLIN-ERA
Original MOOG ELECTRONICS
Made in USA (Kalamazoo Plant, MI)
Production # 102 (April 17th release)
Adult owned only. Children-free, Pet-free household. Kept inside case when not used

Up for sale is a BEAUTIFUL LATE-70's Gibson Bass Guitar (RD ARTIST)
EXCELLENT overall vintage condition. Standard surface scratches, light dings, marks on front / back body / ... more

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