Body and neck
Maple body, three-piece maple laminate neck. Maple or Ebony fretboard. The RD Standard is typically heavier than the Artist; although both basses are externally identically sized, the RD has a larger body cavity in which it's electronics are housed.
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Body Length 19 9/16" Width 14 5/8" Depth 1 5/8" |
Neck Width at nut 1 5/8" Scale 34 3/8" Frets 20 Headstock pitch 14ยบ |
Total Length 48" Weight 5.4kg |
Electrics
The RD Standard circuitry was vastly simpler than the RD Artist, just a pair of series III/IV humbuckers and a wiring loom quite similar to that of the Gibson Thunderbird: i.e. a volume control for each pickup, and a master tone. There is some confusion as to whether these pickups should correctly be labelled series III or series IV. Gibson used both numbers throughout 1978: they used the term series III more often, though series IV makes more sense when compared to the other new pickups in the range (series V, VI and VII).
The potentiometers listed in the diagram above are all 100kΩ audio taper, Gibson part 70035, with a .047µF capacitor controlling tone. These were typically CTS made (manufacturer code 137). The 1981 parts list, however retrospectively suggests 300kΩ volume controls, Gibson part 70028, and a .02µF capacitor.
RD Standard hardware
Gibson RD Standard parts list (1981) - All the components listed with part numbers
A closer look at a 1978 RD Standard and its components
Machine heads Schaller BM, or Schaller M4
Pickguard Five ply - BWBWB
Truss rod cover Inscribed with 'RD STANDARD BASS' in block capitals
Bridge Gibson three point
Pickups Series V humbuckers
Gibson RD bass guitars for sale
1980 Gibson RD Artist Bass Sunburst
Antioch, Tennessee, 370**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3999
