Custom Video Demo Gibson RD Artist Bass Moog Circuit Pro Setup Original Hardshell Case 1977 Natural Blond

Today, Lawman Guitars is Presenting...

A Very Rare first year 1977 Gibson RD Artist Bass with the Moog Active Circuit, and original Gibson Hardshell Case.

Be sure to check out the Video Demo we did for a similar 1978 Gibson RD we sold last year. Not this bass but very similar. Check it out!

What a cool Bass Guitar. Its the second I have found and these are fantastic Gibson Basses. I always hold my breath when buying one of these because the Active Moog Circuit is usually not working.  Everything works great on this cool bass and it is setup with low easy playing action!Just some superficial dings and a little buckle rash on the back. See pic 10...Thats as bad as it gets. Its in great shape for a 1977 bass guitar!

The Moog Circuit adds a boost circuit and what I think is a compressed circuit. The tone knobs have two different settings on them and are marked 1-5 and 1-5 on each knob. The other switch at the bass of the guitar activates the pickups which have separate volume and tone controls. I love playing these. The guitar has so many different voices. It is quite heavy so be ready for that. With the 34 I/2 inch scale neck, it will take someone with longer arms than mine to appreciate this really cool bass. It weighs 11 lbs 8 ozs so be prepared ... All original except two tuners that were replaced over the years.. See pics.

The case has been around but its all there. The latches are not working but the catch latch is. I will insure it will not come open in shipping. I'll let the new owner replace or not replace the broken latches.. All hinges work and the handle is still with it. The Cool Hot Pink interior is very nice. See pics.

This bass looks to me to have been professionally played. Its a one owner instrument from when I got it...Check out the wear on the back of the neck. It has some back rash by the back plate but the frets are in great shape. I think the previous owner kept them well crowned. Lots of finish crazing on the lovely Blond original finish. It has mellowed to that great butterscotch Gibson look that we all love.

Here is some info on the history of these cool basses I found on the web...

The Gibson RD series solid body electric guitars were launched in 1977. Distinguished by its active electronics (RD is the abbreviation for "research and development", they were designed to appeal to those interested in synthesizers as well as guitars.

 History

The RD series (guitar and bass) was the result of Gibson's desire to tap into the developing synthesizer market, which was thought to take customers away from guitars. The series had a longer scale (25½" as opposed to the more usual 24¾"; the bass guitar in the series had a 34½" scale), a maple body shaped somewhat like Gibson's Firebird and Explorer, and state-of-the-art pre-amplified (active) electronics. At the time Gibson was owned by Norlin, which also owned Moog Music. The active electronics were designed by Bob Moog, shortly before he left his own company, and included a compression and expansion circuit. Five models were made: the Standard and Standard Bass lacked the active electronics available on the Artist, Custom Artist, and Artist Bass.

An awesome find and its going to make someone very happy when they get it. The lucky winner is to pay $85 shipping for the lower 48..its very heavy and large in the case..All others please ask...

Sold as-is no returns but know that my customers love the guitars I sell. I have been selling vintage guitars for over 12 years now. Check my Feedbacks. This one will not be an exception.

Thanks for checking out my Store.

Mike at Lawman Guitars