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RD Artist Technical Specifications

Gibson bass guitars | RD bass main page | RD Artist technical information

Body and neck

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

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 5.2 - 5.3kg


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.

RD Artist Moog circuit board
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.

Moog expander sensitivity control
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

RD Artist Bass series 1 Moog effects switching
RD Artist Bass series 2 Moog effects switching

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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1977 Gibson RD Standard BASS Black

1977 Gibson RD Standard BASS Black

Carbondale, Illinois, 629**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3590


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Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1977 Gibson RD Artist Standard Bass in its original Black finish. It has a great playing neck with great frets. It's all original and 100% complete along with the original hardshell case (missing handle and some damaged on the sides of the case). This RD Bass looks great with some nicks + dings (some are touched-up) and other cosmetic wear. The bass itself remains structurally sound with no cracks, breaks or ... more
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Chrisfromiowa Comment left 14th February 2017 19:07:17 reply
You say that the three way switch is an easy fix, can you elaborate or provide a link. I know this article is a million years old but my daughter dug out my $100 RD Artist to use as her first guitar and absolutely loves it and I want to keep her going. Thanks
Fly Guitars Comment left 13th December 2017 03:03:33 reply
Well, as shown in the image above, the switch just pushes the metal contacts apart, breaking the circuit. It's a straight forward mechanism but they can get a little sticky. Take the back cover off and operate the switch, preferably plugged in and amplified. You should see what the switch does, and whether the contacts are sticking. If so try switch cleaner or use fine sandpaper between the contacts to remove oxidation. BE CAREFUL NOT TO BEND THE CONTACTS.
Mr Les Brunskill Comment left 10th June 2015 03:03:10 reply
Hi can you help i have a Gibson GK55 Les Paul 1980 which has moog circuit board which has been removed .. ( i have this )but id like to replace it back in but cant find any diagrams. there is a flicker pic but can't see how to wire it back please help