RD artist bass

warriorbass05 · January 22, 2012, 05:27:22 PM

Anyone know anything about these (besides what's on Fly?) I am in the process of making a deal for one that is black/ebony with all of the electronics and OHSC intact. It is a 78.....Thoughts? Value??? I am curious to see what it does next to my other basses...

Aussie Mark · January 22, 2012, 08:18:53 PM

Black is pretty rare, so you'll pay more for that than a natural. If it's in good overall condition and the Moog circuit works properly, I'd say $1700-$2200.

neepheid · January 23, 2012, 03:18:05 AM

Thoughts? Erm, I really like my RD! Mine's a natural, late 1979 model (2 switch Moog) and I think it's a fantastic bass. It is a product of its time - it's very bright, even if you turn up the bass +5 and the treble down to -5 it's still pretty bright. It's completely unusable (i.e. no longer sounds like a bass) if you turn it the opposite way (can I have some twang please?). It's got a neck like a tree trunk (fine for me, but not everyone likes that). At one band practice we were having a muck about and I made it sound like I was playing some tuned springs by playing super close to the bridge and digging in hard

uwe · January 23, 2012, 01:02:51 PM

Since when are the ebony ones rare?

Aussie Mark · January 23, 2012, 03:06:33 PM

Quote from: uwe on January 23, 2012, 01:02:51 PM
Since when are the ebony ones rare?

Aren't the natural ones more plentiful?

warriorbass05 · January 23, 2012, 04:51:50 PM

This thing is pretty clean...OG case too. I can get it in trade so I am just trying to decide if it is worth my while...All the electronics work...

uwe · January 24, 2012, 08:24:24 AM

Quote from: Aussie Mark on January 23, 2012, 03:06:33 PM
Aren't the natural ones more plentiful?

Good question. probably because they were a little cheaper. But I don't think there were more sunburst than ebony. Rarest was tobacco burst.

Highlander · January 24, 2012, 04:00:13 PM

I think they are beautiful instruments but the neck will be quite alien to you being a serial Riccy user - they are not at all for lightweight fans weighing in somewhat above the average to say the least - I've had my '78 since new and it has suffered somewhat - I junked the Moog years back - biggest bugbear for me was the switch positions being behind the bridge and highly unuserfriendly - the case was included with them and was not an extra (unless like me you met an unscrupulous salesman

) ...

You will either love her or hate her - good luck...

Barklessdog · January 25, 2012, 05:13:18 AM

Black & Natural were stock colors, no idea on numbers, but not rare, black is just more desirable.In good condition they go for around $1200, black & excellent condition can go for up to $1800 that I have seen.

warriorbass05 · January 26, 2012, 07:14:48 AM

I will be getting this on saturday....depending on the neck it will stay or go...weight is not really an issue as my Jaydee basses are quite heavy...we shall see....anybody want dibs let me know...

Highlander · January 26, 2012, 03:51:56 PM

I know a certain Lady in Seattle that has had a lusting for one of these one day...

Grog · January 26, 2012, 05:04:01 PM

Quote from: BUFF on January 26, 2012, 03:51:56 PM
I know a certain Lady in Seattle that has had a lusting for one of these one day...

She likes em ebony & 11 lbs +

warriorbass05 · January 26, 2012, 06:56:40 PM

it'll be here saturday and then I will go through it and clean it up, restring it etc....

warriorbass05 · January 28, 2012, 10:43:44 AM

Cleaned and restrung....pics to follow....man, it's got the sustain of a piano....everything works.....it's WAY cool thru the Sunn Beta bass head...

warriorbass05 · January 28, 2012, 11:19:12 AM

and here it is....nice clean and restrung....

and the Sunn Beta