The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Chris P. on July 12, 2017, 03:00:04 AM
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Gibson Limited Run Guitars:
Theme: 100th Anniversary of Orville Gibson’s Heritage
100 Limited Runs released through the year
Limited Runs announced per quarter
Exclusive features:
Modern-Retro “Gibson” headstock logo
“Only a Gibson is Good Enough” decal on the back of the headstock
EB Bass 5 String 2018 Satin Trans Black
EB Bass 5 String 2018 Satin Trans Black Left Hand
EB Bass 5 String 2018 Natural Satin Left Hand
EB Bass 4 String 2018 Satin Trans Black
EB Bass 4 String 2018 Satin Trans Black Left Hand
EB Bass 4 String 2018 Natural Satin Left Hand
EB Bass 4 String 2018 Natural Satin
Thunderbird 4 String 2018 Bright Cherry
Thunderbird 4 String 2018 Ebony
Thunderbird 4 String 2018 Bright Cherry Left Hand
Thunderbird 4 String 2018 Ebony Left Hand
Thunderbird 4 String 2018 Vintage Sunburst Left Hand
Thunderbird 4 String 2018 Vintage Sunburst
RD Artist Bass 2018 Antique Natural
RD Artist Bass 2018 Ebony
SG Standard Bass 2018 Ebony
SG Standard Bass 2018 Heritage Cherry
SG Standard Bass 2018 Ebony Left Hand
SG Standard Bass 2018 Heritage Cherry Left Hand
SG Standard Bass 2018 Walnut Left Hand
SG Standard Bass 2018 Walnut
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That's a relief. It was starting to look like Epiphone was going to take over all the new bass production. Wonder if the Thunderbird will still have the Babicz bridge and DeCola pickups. Thanks for the great news!
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Modern-Retro “Gibson” headstock logo
What the **** does that mean?!
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RD Artist ... with the full Moog enchilada? :o :o :o
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At this moment I don't know anything about specs...
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Some basses are better than none.
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So does this mean they changed their minds about not releasing any bass guitars in 2018?
Or were they just bullshitting Chris with the news from two weeks ago?
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Glad to see them doing "something" again.
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Don't worry, all their new models will be - in tried and trusted fashion - dismissed by my dear brethren here for not being this or featuring that ...
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So, ignoring finishes as usual that'll be 4 new basses for Uwe, right? :)
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So does this mean they changed their minds about not releasing any bass guitars in 2018?
Or were they just bullshitting Chris with the news from two weeks ago?
There are no basses in standard production. These are all limited runs. 100 different models. I think I said there could be basses in limited runs, but my people didn't knew some weeks ago. What is limited? IDK.....
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You are right. You did mention the 100 limited runs.
Maybe it is going to be a bit like the Guitar Of The Week series they did a couple of years ago?
That did result in some pretty cool basses (the SG Supreme for example)
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Thanks for the information. It will be very interesting to see what the specs are.
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Seeing as how relatively small their bass market is (compared to guitars), that's still a decent number of basses they plan on offering. There's some great news for our lefty brethren as well!
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And when exactly did you find your heart for lefties? :mrgreen:
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And when exactly did you find your heart for lefties? :mrgreen:
Ouch! ;)
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Thanks for the information. It will be very interesting to see what the specs are.
And the prices.
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So......Gibson will just rerelease some old models in very limited numbers, add a special decal on the back....and likely charge double?
Expensive decals.
....but far better than Henry trying to design more new "innovative" models.
I'm still waiting for them to decide that these prototypes should become a. New model,after 40 years. Better than the RoboGuitars 🤡
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I doubt that the prices will go up much if at all. The 2015 increases on the SG Bass and TBird had to be rolled back. Henry probably won't make that mistake again.
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RD Artist ... with the full Moog enchilada? :o :o :o
If the recent 6 banger reissue is any indication, hell no. (bullshit - just do an RD Standard if you ain't gonna go the whole 9)
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Instead of having Expansion & Compression circuitry, it'll have Expulsion & Regression circuitry. It'll take guitarists another 30 years before they realize they need it! The Les Paul Recording II was nothing like the original with the exception of looks. It took a long time for them to sell 600 units, but now you rarely see them up for sale used. The people that have them are hanging on to them. Replicating the RD Artist circuitry now days would only take a microchip, but I'd be surprised to see it...............
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Expecting Gibson to do an accurate reissue of any bass would be a minor miracle.
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Expecting Gibson to do an accurate reissue of any bass would be a minor miracle.
The expectation?
The actual achievement?
Or both? ;D
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The expectation?
The actual achievement?
Or both? ;D
The actual achievement.
Just thinking about the possibility confuses me! :mrgreen:
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The actual achievement.
Just thinking about the possibility confuses me! :mrgreen:
OK. It crossed my mind that even having the expectation might be unrealistic. :P
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Some chrome or nickel covered probuckers in the limited edition 2018 Thunderbird might be a reasonable expectation.
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This is Gibson; reason has nothing to do with it.
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Courtesy of www.gearnews.de, they admit it's a mock-up ... :mrgreen:
(https://www.gearnews.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Bass.jpg)
I thought I'd post it before Rob gets a hold of it and deceives us all once again.
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Is it just the angle of the picture (downward a bit) or does the lower wing look too small in an unbalanced way? Also a bad call to leave the cutaway so deepinstead of using a more trad Non-Rev shape. Then there's the hardware - but they may have not had any other options for a 5 string.
I'm an ungrateful grumbler, with no budget to buy one anyway, so whatever.
.. cool fin though - see I can say something nice/positive.
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I wouldn't get my hopes up too high for a Thunderbird looking like this. Gibson has done some misguided things in regards to basses lately but I can't believe they'd ever be so inept to release a monstrosity like that.
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Did Stevie Wonder design it?
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Jesus Christ on a horse! Who photoshopped that together?! That is hilariously bad.
They didn't bother to choose the same angle, lighting or size.
The body is clearly a 4 string (four pole pieces, four saddles)
The B string ends next to the bridge.
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" ... see I can say something nice/positive ..."
Jake, how I hate it when you defy expectations.
(https://media.tenor.com/images/97024b4c41d09b727a5a8843eed53805/tenor.gif)
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Courtesy of www.gearnews.de, they admit it's a mock-up ... :mrgreen:
(https://www.gearnews.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Bass.jpg)
I thought I'd post it before Rob gets a hold of it and deceives us all once again.
I just did a little bit of sick.
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Dry heaving. Not even the bass, but how it is photoshopped haha
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Has anyone mentioned the upside-down Thunderbird logo on the 'plate...?
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Have the specs for the 2018 Thunderbird been posted? Curious if it'll have the mini switches and exposed pole pickups like the 2015 model on the Gibson site?
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Have the specs for the 2018 Thunderbird been posted? Curious if it'll have the mini switches and exposed pole pickups like the 2015 model on the Gibson site?
https://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Bass/Gibson-USA.aspx?ModelYear=2018
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According to Chris P., there will be a few limited runs.
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Jesus Christ on a horse! Who photoshopped that together?! That is hilariously bad.
As bad as that Photoshop "rendering" is, I almost didn't notice it because
a) The bass is so spectacularly ugly that it overwhelms the substandard execution, and
b) Some of the concept car stuff I routinely see is way worse
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That transparent blue sure is nice...would it kill them to mix it up a bit on the bird finishes....
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According to Chris P., there will be a few limited runs.
Chris wasn't lying. There are some 18' Gibsons showing up on sweetwater now.
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Chris wasn't lying. There are some 18' Gibsons showing up on sweetwater now.
Thanks for pointing that out. Some new finishes too, and some are already in stock. Noticeably lower prices on the Bird and SG than 2015.
Bright Cherry Thunderbird -- and looks like the return of TB Plus pickups (https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BAT43H18C7BC)
Walnut SG Bass (https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BASGH18WNCH)
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Interesting that they appear to have reverted back to the old TB+'s.
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Thanks for pointing that out. Some new finishes too, and some are already in stock. Noticeably lower prices on the Bird and SG than 2015.
Bright Cherry Thunderbird -- and looks like the return of TB Plus pickups (https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BAT43H18C7BC)
Walnut SG Bass (https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BASGH18WNCH)
Earlier in the year I had some lengthy exchanges with Thomann in Germany about the feasibility of producing limited runs of Thunderbirds in colours other than ebony, ivory or sunburst, much in the same way Gibson did for the Japanese market a few years back (see the Sapphire Blue I borrowed on a couple of dates in Italy last month). Red or blue was discussed, but the numbers Gibson required Thomann to order was prohibitive and discussions ceased.
I'm kind of glad to see a red Thunderbird...it does look pretty.
P
(https://scontent.flhr2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/22424391_10214432757674685_2645656066992416234_o.jpg?oh=dd182b9a81437ac1c212f490f19c60a6&oe=5AA8223A)
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I got the prices.
The retailprices, so a bit highter than street prices:
999 for the EB
1099 for the EB 5-string
1299 for the SG Bass
1699 for the RD
1999 for the Tbird
All euro prices
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... I'm kind of glad to see a red Thunderbird...it does look pretty.
Backslide potential... never say never... ;)
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Backslide potential... never say never... ;)
But I'm buying another Lull. I'm not made of money!
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If the Thunderbird has gone back to TB+, what sort of pickups should we expect in the RD and for less money? Granted the Thunderbird is a neckthrough but I figured the RD would have been the bigger ticket item with more bells and whistles in terms of electronics. My expectations aren't so high for some sort of Bill Lawrence reissue pickups or Moog electronics either. I guess at least Uwe is happy to see the black plastic and hardware but it pains me to see Epiphone leading the charge with vintage stylings while Gibsons trots out the same generic looking Thunderbird since the nineties. The Babicz bridge is an improvement over the three point but why not use the regular Babicz bridge? The three point replacement design looks like too much of a flight deck at the end of the bass. Maybe 2019 will be better with a limited release of Rippers with the Seymour Duncan pickups. So far, it seems fantasies are better than what the reality is of what Gibson can deliver for us bassists.
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As long as they dont stick Jazz bass pickups in it like they Krist Novoselic I might be interested, that just drove me nuts.
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The DeCola pickups that were in the 2015 TBird are still in the 2018 EB 4 and 5. Maybe that's what they'll use in the RD. I wouldn't expect any kind of vintage accuracy.
The US dollar prices at Sweetwater (which don't include the RD) are identical to the Euro prices Chris posted above. Assuming the RD will also be priced at USD 1699, don't expect Moog electronics.
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Maybe no more moog. An active preamp of some sort would at least be in the neighborhood of recapturing the spirit of the original.
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That's true, but when was the last time we saw an active preamp in a Gibson bass? The 90s LP basses?
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So like I said before, why call it an RD Artist? If no active electronics ( I'd let it slide if they did that) then be honest and call it an RD standard. It's just basic sense and respect for customers.
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I'm really disappointed in what I'm seeing in the 2018s. I was hoping for some cool stuff, like the two-piece bridge the Epi Vintage Pro got. This is just a 2013 with a Babicz bridge on it. They couldn't even eliminate the third mount hole and use a cooler bridge?
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They must be saving the active pickups for the 2020 20/20 reissue.............. :vader:
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As a sidenote: The Gibson 2018 RD Artist 40th Anniversary guitar has active GEM humbuckers.
https://www.thomann.de/se/gibson_rd_artist_40th_ann._vs.htm (https://www.thomann.de/se/gibson_rd_artist_40th_ann._vs.htm)
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As a sidenote: The Gibson 2018 RD Artist 40th Anniversary guitar has active GEM humbuckers.
https://www.thomann.de/se/gibson_rd_artist_40th_ann._vs.htm (https://www.thomann.de/se/gibson_rd_artist_40th_ann._vs.htm)
IIRC Gibson used those on some of their special run gothic guitars 5 or 6 years ago. There wasn't a bass equivalent back then, but you never know what they might come up with.
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Interesting that they appear to have reverted back to the old TB+'s.
Because there is nothing inherently wrong with them (ignore the naysayers in this forum!), if you like a beefy bass sound that still gets heard look (and hear) no further. The Jim DeCola pups were more versatile and offered better transparency without ever sounding sterile (and I really love the TBird model equipped with them), but let's face it, nobody buys a TBird to sound versatile. It's a bass bought mainly for its visual appeal and its heritage, plus that not every Joes Blow plays one, and it's supposed to deliver a rock sound, period.
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Because there is nothing inherently wrong with them (ignore the naysayers in this forum!), if you like a beefy bass sound that still gets heard look (and hear) no further. The Jim DeCola pups were more versatile and offered better transparency without ever sounding sterile (and I really love the TBird model equipped with them), but let's face it, nobody buys a TBird to sound versatile. It's a bass bought mainly for its visual appeal and its heritage, plus that not every Joes Blow plays one, and it's supposed to deliver a rock sound, period.
I'm quite happy with the TB+ in my 2013. They also make a very comfortable thumb rest.
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Because there is nothing inherently wrong with them (ignore the naysayers in this forum!), if you like a beefy bass sound that still gets heard look (and hear) no further. The Jim DeCola pups were more versatile and offered better transparency without ever sounding sterile (and I really love the TBird model equipped with them), but let's face it, nobody buys a TBird to sound versatile. It's a bass bought mainly for its visual appeal and its heritage, plus that not every Joes Blow plays one, and it's supposed to deliver a rock sound, period.
(http://i.imgur.com/sPAwziu.jpg) (https://imgur.com/sPAwziu)
I actually preferred the sound of the TB+ to the DeCola, that and the musicman magnets looked out of place. Although my wife says I'm just change averse.
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TB+ rules!
Instead of endlessly repeating myself I'll just endlessly link to myself: http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=10574.msg179928#msg179928
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Those tracks do sound nice. Nothing wrong with the TB+ per say, It's just that the Epi vintage pro looks way cooler in comparison to the modernized bird. Guess I should be glad it's not giving me GAS for something I shouldn't be spending money on.
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There are so many different TB+ humbuckers that I honestly couldn't say that TB+ rule in general.
Last weekend, a famous Dutch bass player and I compared a lot of Gibson bass guitars. Among the basses was an SG reissue black satin finish with the TB+ underneath the mudbucker and mini humbucker casing. This bass was by far the worst sounding instrument in the room. Not lively sounding at all. Not very musical. Just dull, without any autority whatsoever.
Especially in comparison to the 1976 EB3 which sounded impressive.
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Taste? I liked my former SG Reissue much and much better than my former 76 EB3.
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The difference was that big, that I almost can't believe it would be a matter of taste. I'm quite sure you would have agreed with Ivo, Willem and me. ;-)
Maybe the entire bass was a monday morning product?
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There are so many different TB+ humbuckers that I honestly couldn't say that TB+ rule in general.
Fair point, that! It seems to be a name applied to a bunch of different pickups. I only have experience with the black plastic LPB1 circa '92, so I can only truly vouch for those.
I had assumed that Thunderbird black plastic pups are the same as mine, but it's been 15 years since mine was made ... and haven't we already had threads about how at some point there were split-coil pickups under the plastic? I don't honestly know what's inside mine. Is there any way to tell whether it's split-coil or humbucker without ruining damaging the pickup?
Either of the black plastic designs (and were there *only* two?) could physically fit inside a giant mudbucker cover (but what are the "polepiece" screws - cosmetic only?) ... but that SG bass minibucker obviously can't be the same design.
And I have always assumed that the ones in chrome covers must be somewhat different as well - different bobbins at least, to fit in the narrow width.
... plus whatever the metal cover does to the sound :popcorn:
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TB+ is just the name Gibson has used for all its twin blade ceramic magnet bass humbuckers. They can't possibly all sound the same b/c they aren't the same. Different shaped coils will sound different, even if they're wound to the exact same specs. The TB+ in Thunderbirds is longer than the chrome covered guitar size TB+ in the LP basses (about 3 3/4 in. vs. 2 3/4 in.) while the TB+ in the SG Basses is about the same length as the Thunderbird TB+ but wider (about 1 7/8 in. vs. 1 1/2 in.). There may be differences in coil height too.
Also, the SG Bass version senses a wider portion of the string, not to mention the fact that it's placed up by the neck and it's on a short scale bass.
On top of that, there have been different versions of the TB+ on the Thunderbirds. I remember someone (Mark?) showing the underside of one with the blades in s split-coil arrangement instead of two full length coils.
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I remember someone (Mark?) showing the underside of one with the blades in s split-coil arrangement instead of two full length coils.
Yeah, that's what I was referring to! Does anybody know whether the early-nineties passive LPB basses got the split-coil or full-humbucker variety?
I had always assumed mine were full humbucker because they sound more like that than how I'd expect a split-coil to sound (very fat in the mids and less open treble) but that doesn't prove anything, it's just a guess based on my preconceptions.
I'd be really curious to hear both side-by-side on same/similar bass with same player and same amp, but that's not an easy thing for most of us to arrange :) I've only got the one Gibson here.
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Well, I will say nothing about the re-emergence of the RD until it appears, but what has surprised me the most is how handsome the EB (2018) looks in black, with black hardware. I guess it was just waiting for the right colour combo - the stealth bass approach suits its modern lines very well, to my eyes at least.
I may even get one. Considering how "meh" I was about the 2017 EB bass when it first came out, I'd call that an impressive turnaround.
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I didnt even bother to look at the 2018 EB until now, You're right that Black on Black is the nicest looking one they've made. I never would have considered the natural or sunburst one but the black is actually tempting.
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I kinda like the sunburst :) . If I was in the market for a modern-looking shape with modern-sounding / versatile pickups this seems like it might be a pretty good value.
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I didnt even bother to look at the 2018 EB until now, You're right that Black on Black is the nicest looking one they've made. I never would have considered the natural or sunburst one but the black is actually tempting.
Not collecting for fins, I tend to agree!
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I've seen the natural and sunburst in person. The natural looked great to me but not the sunburst. Even though I've always liked the two tone Gibson yellow/brown burst in a traditional gloss finish, it didn't look good in matte. Just personal taste, of course.
The black ought to look great on the ash body.
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TB+ is just the name Gibson has used for all its twin blade ceramic magnet bass humbuckers. They can't possibly all sound the same b/c they aren't the same. Different shaped coils will sound different, even if they're wound to the exact same specs. The TB+ in Thunderbirds is longer than the chrome covered guitar size TB+ in the LP basses (about 3 3/4 in. vs. 2 3/4 in.) while the TB+ in the SG Basses is about the same length as the Thunderbird TB+ but wider (about 1 7/8 in. vs. 1 1/2 in.). There may be differences in coil height too.
Also, the SG Bass version senses a wider portion of the string, not to mention the fact that it's placed up by the neck and it's on a short scale bass.
On top of that, there have been different versions of the TB+ on the Thunderbirds. I remember someone (Mark?) showing the underside of one with the blades in s split-coil arrangement instead of two full length coils.
Makes sense. I far prefer the ones in my Les Paul Basses and ES 335 Bass to the TBird ones.
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Can we at least agree that all Gibson pups under the TB+ moniker share a common characteristic - they are not worlds apart in sound.
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Uwe, you probably have more of them than anybody :)
Do you have a way to record something similar on multiple TB+ variants for our edification?
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I'm not a home recorder at all, sorry!
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An older post about them ... unfortunately the photos are lost to the sands of time, aka Photobucket :(
http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=3591.msg54427#msg54427
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Grrrr Botophucket.
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Can we at least agree that all Gibson pups under the TB+ moniker share a common characteristic - they are not worlds apart in sound.
I don't know, can we? Hard to say with neck through vs set neck and different scale lengths.
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... And of course, there is "fin" to take into consideration... :vader:
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Also pickup location. T'Bird, Les Paul & SG are all quite different.
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Probably been posted before. Demonstrates the difference pretty much as I hear it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsHp8Z1tBaE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsHp8Z1tBaE)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsHp8Z1tBaE
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Whoa that's great Veebass! Thanks!
Pretty big difference to my ear. Lots more treble on the LP. More than I think can be accounted for by wood.
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I got pics, but I'm away the whole day, so I can only post more tomorrow, so I did the most important. The RD.
- All basses have the Babicz bridge
- Tbird is back to normal TB+
- RD can be seen below
- SG with blocks and Babicz
Tomorrow all pics in all colours. Takes a while and I need to go now.
(https://myalbum.com/photo/tqwr8XnkZEaQ/360.jpg)
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Knobs galore!
And those pickup look a lot like the Jim DeCola pickups from the EB and TB2015
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I think they are. The Tbirds have no visible polepieces so the old ones. The EB and SG basses look the same. Eb with DeCola and SG with a big and small chrome unit.
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BTW: in the specs they call the RD pickups 'EB pickups'
Specs:
Vol/blend & high/low/parametric w. mini toggle (active/passive)
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(http://www.thegibsonbassbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/RDBass2018-1500.jpg)
Specs:
Series Limited Run Basses
Body
Body Style: RD
Back: Maple
Top: N/a
Weight relief: None
Neck
Neck: Maple
Neck profile: Rounded
Nut width: 1.60”
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Scale length: 34”
Number of frets: 20
Nut: Tektoid
Inlay: Acrylic Dots
Hardware
Bridge: 3-Point Full Contact BABICZ
Tailpiece: N/a
Knobs: Knurled Black Chrome & Flat Black EQ Knobs
Tuners: Grover Shamrocks
Plating: Chrome
Electronics
Neck pickup: Rhythm EB Bass
Bridge pickup: Lead EB Bass
Controls: Vol / Blend & High/Low/Parametric, w/ Mini Toggle (Active/Passive)
Finish/Quantity
Finishes available: Antique Natural, Ebony
Case: Hardshell
Quantity available: N/a
Price: € 1700
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Color me intrigued, ??? they may have a winner with this one. Seems like a (somewhat at least) faithfull update of the Old RD Artist. I look forward to hearing how it sounds.
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I'm pleasantly surprised. I'm not entirely sure it is 100% "Artist" (speaking as an owner of a '79 RD Artist), but it's no "Standard" either. I guess it's more "Artist" than "Standard" and that's more than I expected. Colour me intrigued (but because I have one of the originals, it won't be high on my shopping list)
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I saw a couple complaints on facebook about the rosewood fingerboards, but I think they look good. I never liked the "all blond" look of the natural ones with maple boards, so that's an improvement to me. And I like the way it contrasts against the black versus an ebony board. With all that maple, I think rosewood is a good choice. Still don't like those "Grover" tuners they've been using. They stick out too far.
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On paper it seems like a nice balance - modern tweaks that are still in the spirit of the classic instrument. Maybe they didn't totally blow it? 😮
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I have no problems at all with the rosewood fretboard. And no problems with the DeCola pickups.
But I think the controls lay-out is a mess.
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It will be interesting to see whether the RDs are true to "original" weight- ie 11 pounds and up.
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I'd think the weight should be similar if it's a solid maple body with no weight relief. If anything it might be even heavier if you consider that the moog electronics on the original probably weren't as heavy as the substantial amount of wood they displaced. The other variable could be the species of Maple. Some are lighter in weight compared to typical rock or sugar maple but the trade of is they would dent much easier.
http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/differences-between-hard-maple-and-soft-maple/
Heavy or not, I'm on the same page as Helen Thomas on these new RD artists.
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Too bad they aren't doing a separate top and back with some weight relief (like most LP guitar models). Solid maple with a 1 1/4" thick Rickenbacker is slightly on the heavy side. The RD will probably be the full 1 3/4" like the originals and just as heavy.
Heavy or not, I'm on the same page as Helen Thomas on these new RD artists.
Must not be the famous Helen Thomas. Or did she play an RD at White House press conferences?
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Yes, that Helen Thomas. I don't think she played bass. She's dead now so she didn't get to see this new RD but if she did play bass and was still alive, I think she might have reacted thusly.
http://troll.me/images/helen-thomas/that-makes-me-moist-thumb.jpg
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It was always puzzling to me why the RD Artist guitar felt to be more of a "normal weight" & the bass version felt so much heavier. Both versions should be identical with the exception of neck size?
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Yes, that Helen Thomas. I don't think she played bass. She's dead now so she didn't get to see this new RD but if she did play bass and was still alive, I think she might have reacted thusly.
http://troll.me/images/helen-thomas/that-makes-me-moist-thumb.jpg
Helen was no Helen of Troy. She always looked like that, even when she was happy.
She wouldn't have played an RD, but I could imagine her having played rockabilly slap lines on an upright. ;D
It was always puzzling to me why the RD Artist guitar felt to be more of a "normal weight" & the bass version felt so much heavier. Both versions should be identical with the exception of neck size?
The only one I ever played was quite heavy, though not as much as the basses. It was for sale at Danny & Cindy's original store for a long time.
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It was always puzzling to me why the RD Artist guitar felt to be more of a "normal weight" & the bass version felt so much heavier. Both versions should be identical with the exception of neck size?
Easy answer.
The basses are much thicker in the body.
Basses about 40mm.
Guitars about 34mm.
My RD Artist Guitar is much lighter than my RD Basses- I have a Artist and a Standard.
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Easy answer.
The basses are much thicker in the body.
Basses about 40mm.
Guitars about 34mm.
My RD Artist Guitar is much lighter than my RD Basses- I have a Artist and a Standard.
Interesting! I never noticed the difference before. I'll have to measure mine sometime.
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The only one I ever played was quite heavy, though not as much as the basses. It was for sale at Danny & Cindy's original store for a long time.
Danny had some good stuff from time to time. He once told me "It would have to have three horns on it before I'd buy it!"
I bought my bass from Chad at Encore Music & found the guitar in the Thrifty Section of the StarTribune.........
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Danny had some good stuff from time to time. He once told me "It would have to have three horns on it before I'd buy it!"
I bought my bass from Chad at Encore Music & found the guitar in the Thrifty Section of the StarTribune.........
Chad had two Kalamazoo basses when I stopped in about a month ago. Last Saturday I stopped in again after having coffee next door, both were sold. Surprised me that he moved those so quickly.
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Chad had two Kalamazoo basses when I stopped in about a month ago. Last Saturday I stopped in again after having coffee next door, both were sold. Surprised me that he moved those so quickly.
I haven't stopped by Chad's for a few years. I'm trying not to buy any more guitars. (I've added two to the heard without even leaving the house!) I traded up my Les Paul Signature bass years ago at Chad's also. I bought my first one from Jim Harms. Chad had two of them in his shop, one with a neck repair if I recall correctly & the one I still have. He had three go through his store at the same time. My guess is that he's never had another one. He also ended up with another nice RD Artist bass just like mine shortly after I bought the one I still have......... He had a Les Paul Personal come & go, I never had a chance to check it out.
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The RD will probably be the full 1 3/4" like the originals and just as heavy.
Wow, I've never played one and assumed they were thin like a T-bird. My Fenderbird is 1 3/4'' thick and very heavy. Makes for perfect balance though.
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Color me intrigued, ??? they may have a winner with this one. Seems like a (somewhat at least) faithfull update of the Old RD Artist. I look forward to hearing how it sounds.
I'm pleasantly surprised. I'm not entirely sure it is 100% "Artist" (speaking as an owner of a '79 RD Artist), but it's no "Standard" either. I guess it's more "Artist" than "Standard" and that's more than I expected. Colour me intrigued (but because I have one of the originals, it won't be high on my shopping list)
Agreed - it's active with cut/boost bass and treble controls (with the addition of 'parametric' knob whihc must be a frequency sweep); not bad. It would be unreasonable to expect the effects mode but I am surprised there's no bright mode (though I doubt that was popular - I certainly don't use it on my vintage one) cuz that woulda been easy.
I saw a couple complaints on facebook about the rosewood fingerboards, but I think they look good. I never liked the "all blond" look of the natural ones with maple boards, so that's an improvement to me. And I like the way it contrasts against the black versus an ebony board. With all that maple, I think rosewood is a good choice. Still don't like those "Grover" tuners they've been using. They stick out too far.
Vintage ones were maple/natural and rosewood for all all other colours as you are aware so this is legit IMHO. ... also a bit biased cuz I hate laquered maple boards.
The only thing I am not hot about is the pickups (big so even replacing them is a pain). Not a fan of the bridge but that's easy to swap out for a 3 point.
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Wow, I've never played one and assumed they were thin like a T-bird. My Fenderbird is 1 3/4'' thick and very heavy. Makes for perfect balance though.
Yes they balance pretty well.
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Vintage ones were maple/natural and rosewood for all all other colours as you are aware so this is legit IMHO. ...
The vintage black and burst models had ebony fretboards just like the Rippers. That said I think rosewood is ok.
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The vintage black and burst models had ebony fretboards just like the Rippers. That said I think rosewood is ok.
Right... I guess I always conflate the two cause they're both dark hardwoods that are used unlaquerred (except in the case of Rics for some crazy reason). Maple was always the other end of the spectrum, that I avoided.
I was so happy when I scored my ebony (fin, and board, now that I am corrected) RD Artist a decade ago. Didn't come cheap, but I certainly couldn't afford one now (vintage or new).
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... also a bit biased cuz I hate laquered maple boards...
My all maple RD's neck is most certainly not lacquered... :mrgreen:
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The ones I've seen were (as were all other maple boards I have ever seen.... with the sole exception of the maple board on the random free project bass I was recently gifted - feels completely free of finish - not even any oil... possibly stripped prior to being refretted, I dunno).
If not lacquered it goes grey. Look at a pic of a well used 50s/early 60s maple board Tele.
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I was so happy when I scored my ebony (fin, and board, now that I am corrected) RD Artist a decade ago. Didn't come cheap, but I certainly couldn't afford one now (vintage or new).
That's cool because I got hold of my ebony/ebony also about a decade ago at a really good price.
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Newer maple board Fenders with thin polyurethane or polyester finishes don't go gray like the old nitro finishes that just wear away. Unless you "relic" them trying to obtain a filthy look .
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Mind you, mine's bare wood and fretless... ;)
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My all maple Natural RD Artist has a lacquered maple board. The lacquer is certainly thinner than that on the rest of the bass, but it is lacquered. Similar to a 50s P Bass. I believe it to be original.
My RD Standard is an original black one and the board is ebony and it appears unlacquered.
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Mine was once... just not now... ;)
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Mine was once... just not now... ;)
An instigator 8)
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Newer maple board Fenders with thin polyurethane or polyester finishes don't go gray like the old nitro finishes that just wear away. Unless you "relic" them trying to obtain a filthy look .
Any finish will wear away with enough finger vibratro (or just bending) and roundwounds - just a matter of (more) time with more modern finishes, but yeah, when I say laquerred I meant to include poly finishes in that. The point is they don't leave maple fingerboards naked , or at least it is very uncommon to find.
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Uncommon is my forte, Jake... ;)
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RD Artist is at Sweetwater now
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BARDH18ANCH
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Still screaming for a Les Paul (guitar) switch position... :vader:
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RD Artist is at Sweetwater now
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BARDH18ANCH
Are you going to add another page to the back of "The Gibson Bass Book"?
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First I need to sell the remaining books I have!
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How many copies were printed...? Remainder...? Hopefully low figures for the latter... or maybe Henry will pick up the tab and offer to outlet them from their visitor centre...
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500 printed.
350 sold.
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I hate buying new basses but I bit the bullet and pre-ordered one. Hopefully it lives up to my expectations.
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RD Artist is at Sweetwater now
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BARDH18ANCH
Wow, I'm in love. There's a black/ebony one too:
(https://www.gearnews.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/gibson-rd-bass-2018-front-teaser-770x425.jpg)
Judging by the electronics, the shelved Continental and the likewise shelved follow up boutiqe EB (drowned in the flood) whatchamacallit (some year number was added to it, I forgot which one) return (or rather: show up for the first time for real) in the guise of the ole chestnut RD!
I'm endeared by the natural one (with a rosewood board too as opposed to a maple one as it used to be), though I generally don't go much for natural in general, but with an RD it's kinda classic. All black just gobbles the shape up too much, don't you think?
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Black is for the Nirvana fans and like that band also boring and played out,(every time I hear teen spirit I'm pushed a little closer to insanity!) not to mention hard to see on stage. Natural is the better looking bass compositionally in terms of contrast and better functionally for seeing the knobs. Any kind of burst would have been more welcome, especially either the historic three tone or the vintage bursts that had some amount of figuring in their maple tops. The starkness of these new ones kind of takes the artistry out the Artist. Corners had to be cut somewhere to keep prices down I suppose. Sad to see the headstock inlay of the old ones gone as well. Hope they come out with a demo to show off how these pickups sound with the preamp (18 volt or 9volt?)
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Is it my feeble eyes or do they look a bit more rounded than the original ones?
I believe I saw my first RD around 1977 or so before I had ever consciously seen my first Thunderbird. It looked like no other bass I had ever seen - almost everyone I knew played Fenders (mostly Js, Jaco's influence was making itself felt), a couple of people had Rics (and generally always complained about them for reasons I never understood) - and I was mightily impressed. So that shape creates a warm and fuzzy feeling with me (though the TBird is no doubt the more elegant design, "TBird accidentally molten in the sun" still describes the RD pretty aptly).
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A local store got one of the RD 6 bangers in already last week. A guy I know from around bought it the next day. Pickups are EMG, and check out the back of the neck:
(https://www.guitarscanada.com/index.php?attachments/20171124_115353-jpg.143809/)
(https://www.guitarscanada.com/index.php?attachments/20171124_115307-jpg.143801/)
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Well apparently I am safe from temptation. The Australian importer is rumoured to be cactus and no Gibsons or Epis are coming in from what I hear.
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Gibson actually posted an RD pic on their FB page. Amazing that they even acknowledge having a bass in their warehouse.
https://www.facebook.com/Gibson/posts/10155009021520718
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Gibson actually posted an RD pic on their FB page. Amazing that they even acknowledge having a bass in their warehouse.
https://www.facebook.com/Gibson/posts/10155009021520718
Holy smokes! Lotsa negative comments on there. Even more so than usual for Facebook.
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Yeah, the few bassers on the local guitar board I hang at were likewise not so hot on it. ... not quite as ignorant as some of the FB commenters who don't realise its not a new design; guitar players - whatchagonnado.
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It seems obvious that most of those negative comments on its appearance come from people who have never seen the original RD. No problem, there were plenty of detractors back in the day. The design isn't for everyone.
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38 years happy with mine... mostly...
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It seems obvious that most of those negative comments on its appearance come from people who have never seen the original RD. No problem, there were plenty of detractors back in the day. The design isn't for everyone.
Yup, the look of the RD (and the weight!) was divisive even when they were introduced in the latish 70ies, Fender people hated them even where they had to admit that they didn't sound bad (or from a Fender player's viewpoint: better than anything Gibson had offered before). To me it's more of an "axe" in feel than the thin-bodied and sleek-necked TBird which feels elegant in one's hands, the RD is much more robust in handling and feel, more "take no prisoners". There are days when I like that.
But OTOH it is a design that has hardly been copied by others - they were introduced too late for Japanese pre-lawsuit copycats to flood the market, and until the Nirvana guy picked one up again, they were largely forgotten (or often mistaken as Thunderbirds, kind of like the Corsair/Hellcat conundrum).
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The new Fantomen of Hagstrom (guitar only) is nice. And of course there were some other RD kinda basses . Forgot which brand(s), but not many indeed.
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Yeah, the guys from Ghost dig the shape.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CULRete_Hok
But they are in league with Satan!
As must be Dir En Grey ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbDS1TG_Aoc
... with their pleasant variation of largely acoustic Japanese folk music ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZZsuJw3Ruc
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How is the neck thickness of the RD compared to the NR Thunderbird?
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My RD is semi chunky. About the same feel as the Ripper neck.
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Yup.
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... (or often mistaken as Thunderbirds, kind of like the Corsair/Hellcat conundrum).
Any easy mistake to make, they are so alike... :P
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As the saying goes: With a mind of a squirrel, anything will look like a tree hole.
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A little more effort put into it than the Eastwood...
Waghorn RD Artist Bass.
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/43/4a/b5/434ab5d73eadeb76f6f46ee3c2f6e66a--bass-guitars-copy.jpg)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/70/88/ce/7088ceba25b476cfa6585b0e26337066.jpg)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f6/3d/72/f63d721793fa02bf18545f5070f1eef0.jpg)
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WoW!! Now THAT is gorgeous!!!! And I'm sure all that bling was a goodly pile of shekels as well, though clearly well spent.
For a while I had a 77 RD Artist (mustard/ketchup finish) in great condition. Other than its usual detractions (ungainly and heavy) I thought it was fairly easy to play and it sounded wonderful as long as I kept it passive. Quite honestly I had no use at all for any of the Moog Magic. If I could get that passive sound into a more streamlined shape I'd still have it. I had to try it out though, just to see what it was all about. A unique instrument, without a doubt.
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Those Waghorns look nice, kinda Gibson gone through a PRS Custom Shop.
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That's a pretty cool take on an RD! I dig the block markers on the neck!
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There's a lot to like about that Waghorn RD Artist bass.
TD
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I looked at Waghorn's site, that bass was a custom order from 2014. It has SGD pickups. That's David Schwab's company, apparently no longer in business.
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It has SGD pickups. That's David Schwab's company, apparently no longer in business.
Seems like he is back with new company name but same website adress: http://www.sgd-lutherie.com/index.html (http://www.sgd-lutherie.com/index.html)
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Looks like his new business isn't quite ready yet. I see a lot "coming soon".
Waghorn also has a nice take on the Thunderbird. Although I find the PJ combination a bit unfortunate
(http://www.waghornguitars.com/gallery/bass/116.jpg)
(http://www.waghornguitars.com/gallery/bass/115.jpg)
(http://www.waghornguitars.com/gallery/bass/112.jpg)
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Looks like his new business isn't quite ready yet. I see a lot "coming soon".
Yup. Pickup sales and service seems to be up and running though.
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There's still a lot of rancor over at TB regarding Mr Schwab's previous business practices. Lots of people paid up and got skunked for product, and they are aware of his return. The drums are still beating....
There's also a pic of some texts from him indicating he's going to work at DiMarzio.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/sgd-pickups-david-schwabs-issues-with-taking-money-and-not-delivering.1040109/page-155
I was about to use him for some pickups just as these issues started to come to the fore. I apparently dodged that bullet.
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Wasn't he homeless for a while?
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He's a member here, joined in 2011 and posted until 2014. Last logged in here this past April.
Someone pointed me to the Talkbass threads about him awhile back. Very unfortunate if people are still out money, hopefully he'll make everyone whole.
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Making someone whole, now that's a term I haven't heard in a while!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RYy_k6-rlc
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(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/70/88/ce/7088ceba25b476cfa6585b0e26337066.jpg)
He needs to sell a couple of these to the band, Ghost.
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These Waghorns look really nice, needs a Kahler though.
We always look to Uwe’s review, does he not still do this?
W.W.U.D. what would Uwe do?
Nice stance!
Oh this is a bass forum...
Where is the “like” button?
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He's a member here, joined in 2011 and posted until 2014. Last logged in here this past April.
Someone pointed me to the Talkbass threads about him awhile back. Very unfortunate if people are still out money, hopefully he'll make everyone whole.
I hope so.
I bought 4 single coils from David and though it was a little slow butI never had a problem contacting him or being updated as to delivery.
Good guy from my perspective and dealing with him.
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These Waghorns look really nice, needs a Kahler though.
We always look to Uwe’s review, does he not still do this?
W.W.U.D. what would Uwe do?
Nice stance!
Oh this is a bass forum...
Where is the “like” button?
In your world, everything needs a Kahler. ;D
No doubt Uwe will review whatever finally gets to him.
In the meantime, here's Scott's review of the new Epi bird, in case you didn't see it on FB.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdYFdkVp0iI
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Thanks, we don’t need any more Darrin Huffs who swindled $10,000 from people with his compulsive lying and stringing people along.
The nicest guys are the ones you need to look out for.
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Thanks, we don’t need any more Darrin Huffs who swindled $10,000 from people with his compulsive lying and stringing people along.
The nicest guys are the ones you need to look out for.
^ THIS! That post about Darrin Huff is beyond the pale! I wonder how many people paid him for a bass and died without ever getting it.
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Everyone including me.
He strung people along long enough beyond lawsuit limitations. Was a trusted person and contributor at the dude pit.
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Everyone including me.
He strung people along long enough beyond lawsuit limitations. Was a trusted person and contributor at the dude pit.
How long have you been waiting, John? 15 years?
After all this time, with all the people he's stiffed out of so much money, I'm surprised that no one has delivered a little vigilante justice.
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A little more effort put into it than the Eastwood...
Waghorn RD Artist Bass.
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/43/4a/b5/434ab5d73eadeb76f6f46ee3c2f6e66a--bass-guitars-copy.jpg)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/70/88/ce/7088ceba25b476cfa6585b0e26337066.jpg)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f6/3d/72/f63d721793fa02bf18545f5070f1eef0.jpg)
Good effort, but I am not a fan of the PRS style bling job.
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We all got together and discussed our options spoke to legal advise and really for the pain effort and money it’s better just to walk away.
I found out what a real sociopath is. He has no feeling for all the people he duped, only for himself.