Going to suggest Gibson think the RD lacks appeal to the "dentist approaching retirement" demographic.

Saddest part is you know if another brand put this shape out with the correct specs Gibson would hit them with a lawsuit

"Us RD fans" My brain: "There are literally dozens of us! DOOOZEEEEENS!"

With that said I’d also like to see a proper reissue of the Grabber and G3. They did not do those basses justice when they reissued them

The “more priority in re-issuing the important guitars” had me in stitches 😂😂😂

Aside from the pickups I actually love the reissues. I prefer the side mounted jack. I prefer the 24.75" scale. And I like the colors better. Black, white, and Silverburst are some of my favorite colors for a Gibson. But I do get why you would want a reissue. Hey maybe this is your chance to get a signature model RD.

100% agree!!!!! I have a ‘77 artist that is the nicest guitar I’ve ever played. It does sound a little weird with the Moog preamp and compressor, but for Gibson, what an amazing platform to showcase their new pickup line. Insane missed opportunity!!!

Gibson seriously dropped the ball when ghost started getting big. They could have made a fortune from a signature model or even just a proper production run reissue.

Gibson's innovation team has dropped the ball for decades. I remember when they were pushing the Dusk Tiger, I upset their rep soooo much when I said no one wants that guitar or the robot tuners. Just make the classics with more color options. He nearly cried and punched me at the same time.

So glad Gibson treats my favorite guitar with respect. Love my 335s.

Seems like the RD has a really distinct fanbase. IMO its one of Gibson's most underrated shapes. The only people I've seen playing them or even talking about them are you, the old nameless ghouls and then I've heard Bill Kelliher mentioning them, but I don't think I've seen him play one.

The biggest issue I had with Gibson is having to buy an R0 for $7,000 in order to get a guitar that really feels and sounds like a Les Paul to my ears. They just price themselves out of the market and struggle to innovate in any proper way, (lighter guitars, more scale length options, 24 frets, stainless steel frets, new models that make sense, appealing to younger/newer players), even thought that's their core fan base, it'll eventually be hard to just profit off of $3,000 core models and $7-10k+ reissues.

I completely agree I really wish we could get a new Ripper or Grabber bass as well!!

I was just looking at these RDs to see what would be available to buy. You summed it all up perfectly! Count me in as 1+ who would be interested in the re-issue just like you described (no Moog add-on), just the basic RD - I think they would sell a few hundred if made. There are already knock-offs on the shape from other manufacturers - it would be nice to be able to get the real thing! Good luck on trying to have Gibson make these!

I had a black and a natural rd artist in the early 2000s I wish I would’ve hung on to them, super cool guitars. I agree the reissues don’t measure up. Great video, cmon Gibson give us what we want.

There are builders out there that make things much better than Gibson at half the price and I'm sure they loved the build one for you it just won't say Gibson on the headstock officially

I feel you man I want one but don’t wanna risk losing a vintage one playing anywhere.

So when i was willing to start playing guitar i was searching for a guitar that i'd like. There were okay shapes but it was when i found out about RD when i really found the one. No other shape appeals to me as RD does, what led me to buying hagstrom fantomen as my first guitar. A couple years later i still cherished playing guitar and when i received scholarship i decided to order RD from a luthier. I didn't go for a gibson because not only the price was overwhelming for European market but also for such price it wasn't exactly what i wanted. I ordered a RD in Inverness green with ebony fretboard and mop block inlays which is my favourite combination. The build itself not only drew a huge attention but also resulted in luthier having already a couple orders for RDs. The demand for RD was then huge because it was a small local luthier not many people knew about. The appeal of RD shape in contemporary times is shown by the success of Dunable R2, various custom luthier builds, Hagstrom Fantomen, the appearance of Eastwood RD and possibly Balaguer Hyperion. The only reasonable and affordable official RD you could get is Epiphone RD that to me looks way more stunning than what Gibson did after 80s' however, it has shorter scale than original and not everyone loves active pickups that it has in the bridge position. I don't really share everyones love of being in a guitar center since 99% of the time theres nothing for my liking - no rd's or other gibson-esque offset shapes, instead i am flooded with doublecuts such as superstrat that i absolutely despise. I wish i could one day try the original Gibson RD from old times :)

I have an ‘78 with all the Moog stuff and an 2018 that had those GEM pups in it. 78 has some microphonic pups and features I prolly wouldn’t use normally it does sound especially good downtuned because of the scale length. The 2018, which I got on clearance, is amongst my favorite guitars. 50s neck profile. 24.75 scale. Yanked out those GEMs (That werent bad) and threw some Bare Knuckle stuff in there. Guitar is awesome. Im always searching for the black one from the same year. I agree that the RD deserves a spot on the roster. Maybe a 25.5 and an 24.75. Alternating years.

Gibson hates re-issuing good models. Take the Epiphone EX84 - although it's not Gibson, they were only produced for ~1.5 years and despite being WILDLY popular they were discontinued. Honestly I'd like to see Gibson do some fan service and maybe make a new body shape considering they've run the LP, Explorer, and SG into ground over the last 50 years. Side note, it'd be nice if their prices were realistic and they stayed in tune.

How do you feel about the epiphone lee malia rd?

I've never played one but they do look bad ass. Totally my type on guitar. Hope I can come across one in the future.

Agreed! I love the RD and the reissues were anything but! The closest I have gotten to a new RD-style was my Dunable R2 which has that 25.5” scale and awesome build quality. I would absolutely love it if Gibson took their time and did a proper reissue of the RD. I can’t stand the 24.75” scale and haven’t owned a Gibson in years because of it!

My guitar teacher had one in the early 1980s. It was a RD Artist and he was playing it through a Peavey Classic 212. It looked and sounded so bad ass, it probably didn't hurt that he was a talented guitarist.

Id like to see them do a White and Black "Ghost" look RD in the Epi line with the new headstock.

I was 11yrs old at an Italian wedding. Both the guitar and the bass player in the Italian band had matching RD's. I was hooked. It's what got me into guitars and playing music. I remember the bass had a maple board though. The Moog electronics are the problem with a reissue. The bass reissue has Seymore Duncan p/u and it sounds nothing like the original. Do you pull the moog stuff out of yours??

I like the RD body style. I remember being in a music store as a kid in the 70's watching a clinic showcasing the RD Artist. I wish I had the scratch back then to get one. I'd be up to buy one now if they got the spec's you suggested. Love that standard! I also love the Explorer shape, but to me the RD can't be pigeoned hole into a specific genre like the Explorer. As an old dude, I'd look ridiculous strapping on an Explorer, so I like the softer shape of the RD or Firebird.

I'm also team bring back the RD, but at this point I'm honestly just thinking a custom Dunable R2 is the better way to go.

Saw the title of the video and thought it would be regarding their recent business tactics and I'm happy to see fluff is on my side with this one. BRING BACK THE OG RD PLEASE.

Which Gibson hard case would fit the original RD? I got custom one without the case. Cheers guys

I've lusted for a RD for years now. Maybe one day I'l have the pleasure of owning one.

On the same page with you, there is a lot of love for that era of Gibson, even the S-1 and the Maurader were some unique guitars that were pushing innovation. Would love to see them do some justice to the Grabbers, Rippers and G-3 again, or even offer Epiphone alternatives to classic 70's designs.

I'm rescuing a '77 artist that had it's Moog guts ripped out. I put in a regular Humbucker/Les Paul pickup and wiring. It is a pretty heavy guitar but the ebony fretboard is nice. Good for you to be an RD fan- they were not popular when they were released and pretty much remain a very limited appeal guitar, otherwise the originals would cost a fortune and Gibson would probably try harder to re-issue a proper version. The one I have was in storage for a couple of decades-I never see anyone ever performing with an RD. Maybe some day......

Do you think the Hagstrom Fantomen, from a feel and spec standpoint, is a good substitute? 4 control knobs, normal passive humbuckers, a tobacco sunburst finish if you wanna feel old school, and even the 25.5" scale, all seem to put them a bit closer to the og RD than the reissues have.

These RD guitars are beautiful! Is there a video where I can hear you playing them, Fluff?

Hey Fluff. I believe that the Gibson RD were originally released with a 25-1/2" scale but in 1979 it was changed to the 24-3/4". I have to admit that the reissue in silverburst is one of the ones I would love to own. I would love to see Traditional and modern line of RD's released. The Traditional should be to original '77 specs and the modern would have the specs of the reissues. Maybe Epiphone would release an RD line too. I missed out on the Lee Malia model when they were blowing them out. Just didn't dig the finish. Cheers!!

I've also been waiting for a proper reissue. I got into them because of a band called Choke from Edmonton. I think their singer has had a couple different ones through the years. Cheers.

Hey Fluff, I'm an old man, there's nothing like playing a LP thru a tubed up Marshall. But I gotta tell you, as a die hard Gibson fan they aren't( or at least to me) not quite as good as the older ones. Seems like it's a hit or miss. But, the Epiphone inspired by I think there nailing it. Got a 339 last month, gotta say I love it. Just an old man's opinion that's been in a few smoke filled bars playing some classic riffs. Take care and have a great day.

I miss my RD custom so much! It was a powerhouse of a guitar and the scale length is what did it. I had to sell it during the 2018 financial crisis. If Gibson did a proper reissue again, even if the standard or custom with base electronics, I'd snap one up! They were so much bloody fun!! How are the balugara (sp?) Copies?

I played a reissue back in 2011 or so I loved it, couldnt afford it, but loved it. Played one a few weeks ago it was black and had a tortoise pickguard no idea what year but it felt really good in the hands.

A friend of mine had the last RD built (80s, not reissue). He did some auto work for a Gibson employee, got the guitar in exchange. If I remember correctly, it was black with the block inlays. RD Custom?

Yes. I hope it happens proper someday soon. 🙏🏻

I’ve long had a soft spot for the RD Standard. A buddy has a 78 Standard in Tobacco Burst - I have coveted it since we played in a band together in the early 80s. He still has it.

As an M III fan, I feel your pain. I just broke down and bought a red 2013 reissue, but the black with weird tiger shell pickguard? Chef’s kiss. But no, Gibson only did one year of the reissue in silly neon colors no one wanted. Ugh. So I’m there with ya.

I got the 2007 silverburst RD and it’s actually quite nice. Don’t mind the side mounted jack or shorter scale

I feel you man, when it comes to wierd Gibsons I'm a big fan of Gibson Moderne, and they're not as common as you might think, and when they're reissued the prices are crazy. At least if you want something similar to RD you can buy Hagström, try buying a budget friendly moderne. They were reissued as epiphone ONCE, and Gibson reissues are 4-5k...

I have a 2018 RD reissue and I bought it from my local music store very spontaneously for 1400$ CAD. I only jumped the gun bc I thought it had the 25.5 scale length (I sent my gf to go grab it while I was at work before researching or looking at all, always wanted an RD…) and it’s actually one of my fav guitars rn! Swapping out the pickups and did some upgrades, def worth it!

Gotta love King Henry Juszkiewicz. He seemed to think he knew what people wanted, and he was RARELY correct. His employees couldn’t tell him otherwise, however, because they’d likely get fired for it. When they were developing the Firebird X, Henry showed it to all of their top-level artists - Slash, Zakk Wylde, Angus Young, Joe Perry, you name it - and NOBODY signed off on it. Not a single one of them. They all told him he was crazy and that he was never going to have a market for those guitars. Fast forward to a few years ago and they were all right as Gibson, now under new CEO JC Curley, were forced to write off over 300 of those guitars (they were originally priced at $3999 apiece) and feed them to an excavator. Thank God Henry is gone. Hopefully they reissue the RD correctly under the JC regime.

I dunno. I’m conflicted here. I feel like the reason the RD was discontinued in the first place was, weird specs, to heavy, and goofy MOOG electronics that broke or no one wanted anyway. With the reissues they tried to make them actually appealing to the majority Gibson fan base/clientele. While keeping the look and vibe of the instruments intact. I feel like the OG RD fanbase is a very small niche group.

I have a 77 Gibson RD Artist bass. Plays like magic and SUPER tone !!!

Reminds me of when they put fretboard binding on the “70’s Explorer reissue” when the 70’s explorers never had fretboard binding

I totally agree! I owned a new RD Artist, the year it was introduced. I bought it FOR the ( L-5) 25.5" scale-length. Hated the Bob Moog active compressor/expander! Battery dies and you were SOOL??? But the balance was like the Explorer, perfect standing or sitting. Yes, all maple, passive guts, (maybe with coil-tap) would be the ultimate re-introduction (since it wouldn't be a "re-issue") I think the pickup selector position on the "Explorer" makes more sense. I believe Jimmy Page is the only celeb guitarist I've ever seen photographed playing one.

proud owner of a '77 custom. the Moog parts did sound weird, and i hate changing batteries, so i had Glazer's in Nashville take the parts out and dropped in some Burstbucker Pros. it absolutely cranks and has one of the best necks i've ever owned.

I stand with you on that! It'd be awesome to see a new iteration of the RD, like the one i have. A 78 Custom. Imagine them making a new RD Custom like they build the black Les Paul Customs.. if only. But i'm not waiting

Incredible guitar. If it had fender fazzmaster pickups and vibrato but with the moog electronics and the bright-switch/compression circuit, it'd be my dream guitar. Don't know what it is, but i always wanna see brutal Fender/Gibson mashups. I'd love a strat with dogear P90's 😅

I've always loved that body shape so I just picked up a Ghost signature model Hagstrom Fantomen and it's my favorite guitar out of all I own.

Oh my god YES!! I would love an RD that you have & if Gibson is going to update them then ad... A P-90's version An Fluence version A Seymour Duncan Version A Floyd Rose version A Wilkinson version Bring them back in the original colors, a solid black & a red color. One with block inlays and call it day.

Good rant! I love my original RD 77 standard. I too have been disappointed with all the "RD" reissues. I would buy a Dunable R2 before I bought a reissue.

Opinion: Loved the look of the RD Artist esp. because of the 'winged treble clef' as I call it (perhaps that should be winged musical note?).. changes I would make, rounded 57 C neck profile and the neck to crown the body like an SG so it's not a 'sword swallower' .. scale length doesn't bother me, electrics could be as Fluff says standard Les Paul.. flip what about extra coil windings for a coil tap switch to give a 'passive boost mode'? ..most of all Fluff is the premier prominent RD player so maybe Gibson should listen to him..

I've always liked their L6-S. I bet the same is true for that model?

What pickups would you put in them? The 70's Tributes that Gibson has going on?

I feel the same with the Ripper/Grabber series of basses!

I know it’s not a Gibson, but the epiphone RD that lee malia released is pretty true to the specs you are talking about, main difference is it has a p90 in the neck and then a humbucker in the bridge but everything else is right on par with what you are asking about, maybe look into one

I really enjoy the RD bass. I had one in my cart the other day ready to check out when I remembered I just moved and still have no furniture.

I bought my first Gibson last year and I had to put foam strips in the pickup cavity because the pole pieces rattled in the pickup cover.

I own a 78 Standard and a 2010 Standard Reissue. They are completely different guitars as noted in the video, but I love both for what they are! That said, I hope they never reissue the 70's RDs. Why? Because IMO that's what makes the originals so cool. I'm guessing they would be a pain to mass manufacture given the scale length and resulting neck pitch as it would be a departure from what their employees know best. I say let the originals be their own thing and if you want those specs, go get an original. For me the 70's RDs are their own thing. The reissues kinda feel like the bastard baby of a Les Paul and an Explorer.

I’d love to see a proper reissue, I had a tobacco burst 79 artist and a 78 sunburst artist that was dead mint with paper work, this was like 5 years ago , I paid 1700 for one and 1800 for the other UNBELIEVABLE what people are asking for them now...I’d like to have a black one with an Lp Custom headstock

The nameless ghouls in Ghost used to play RD's. I've always loved the RD, but living in Australia, have never seen one in person, or even know of anyone who's owned one.

Cesar blocked me when I complained about Gibson not working in RD but working on moderne...

I've never understood Gibson and their thing for short scale lengths. I can appreciate that every part and spec and design choice in a guitar is something of preference, of craft. But even *Fender* has figured out that 25.5" scale length is just, the minimum. I'm not a standard tuning kind of player so maybe I'm missing something there but it just boggles me why you'd willingly go any lower than 25.5". Please educate me though, if there's something to it I'm missing.

Dude I feel you. I almost pulled the trigger on a reissue RD.. nope looked at the specs of the original and it wasn’t even close. Pass Same with the 84’ explorer reissue.. it was close but the horns were sharper, the headstock was skinner and the controls were off.. I was like WTF? I know some say it’s nitpicking but come on Gibson. How hard is it to measure and get it right??

For the last fucking time, they brought the Artisan line back for Lee Mailia through Epiphone and they made a production RD.

How much is the rent on that AirBnB?

Never seen one until now, but I'd definitely be into having one with the original specs. Very cool.

Great rant !! And that heel on those could be sculpted better too !!

I just think it's such an oddball guitar (no negative connotation meant) and it didn't sell really well originally that they don't care about a proper reissue. I like the thing personally. When I think of my Gibson LP Special, one thing I like *is the normal Gibson scale length and leave the longer scale length to my Fenders but I can see why this guitar has a definite fan base because of the scale length.

I get your point on scale lenght, but new finished are appreciable isn't it? A real true replica would be interting though

I'd consider buying a proper RD reissue, both as a guitar AND a bass. What about the Reaper or Grabber basses? Those were amazing instruments, too.

G have got to do the ES 330 again before anything else, I've told them that because I want one, it's all about me me me. CS said they will be doing it after they've cleared their backlog of orders, so I think in about 5 years time it will reappear !! Can't wait lol

Love my 77 RD Custom. Not parting with it any time soon.

Forgot that these exist because they I guess are so rare. Yeah I feel you, I am familiar with adding guitars to my Gibson wish list. You may never convince Gibson of a true reissue… but you’ve convinced me. GIVE US THE RD ORIGINAL GIBSON!!!!

100% with you except for the jack. Side jack is an improvement.

We need more Epiphone RDs too - AFAIK the only one is the Lee Malia sig, but again that's side mount jack, 24.75" scale and discontinued.

Love the RD and would really love to see an honest to specs(without the Moog) reissue , have to disagree on the colors though as the original RDs came in some well not exciting colors(most gibsons have this problem IMO) Some flame and quilt tops would add to the appeal and some color is always good . I get it the RD didn't set the sales dept on fire but maybe if they added some color to it that would help(hey Gibson some color to most your lines would help) Hey I bet EMG or Fishman could come up with something special to make her sound wild! Myself some 57 classics and(+) would fit the bill and maybe 3 of them not like there isn't room on that flight deck! More options would add to the appeal... Sorry Fluffy but while I love the original I want more and it would take something more to up their appeal to today's guitarist and that is who would do the bulk of the buying the youngsters ....

Love the RD shape!

We took a trip to the Gibson Garage this last weekend and there was only 1 non reverse t-bird bass guitar in the entire place. They have 2 legacy artists with brand new models, and there wasn't even a Gene Simmons or Rex bass there. No SG basses, no T-birds, not even any historic rippers, grippers, or RD's. It was really off putting to say the least, as a bass player.

I hope someone make a strat style/double cut guitar with les paul type of tone. Meaning, mahogany body, TOM bridge, short scale, maybe tilt back headstock or neck but with strat body. Maybe HSH too. So its versatile AF but with a very convincing LP tone

I own 2 RD standards. One '77 and a '78 and I love them to pieces. For that reason I don't like to throw them around on stage and risk them getting damaged or stolen, so I 100% aggree that they should make a proper, correct reissue!

Hey @andertons maybe you guys will be able to spec out some custom shop proper RDs? :)

agreed. I've wanted an offset dual humbucker shape thats comfy and cool looking for a while. guess ill just have to get a meteora

I have a '78 RD Artist bass and the Novoselic model doesn't come close. Passive, single coil pickups, different controls, no Moog circuits and a much more lightweight instrument. I would love a matching guitar but I've never come across a decent one. So often at gigs (and it's usually guitar techs) I get "wow, is that original? And does it have the original electrics?!" - yes to both. Nothing sounds like it, but it is heavier than the moon

For a bass player it's even worse. I've got an RD Artist which has a weird electronic. And even if I actually don't need it, this makes this bass unique and that's what I like. The reissue doesn't have it. Well, I wasn't panning to buy one anyway, so I can be happy, that my bass remains unique. 🙂

This was an awesome rant my dude. I was a biased 24 1/4" scale LP/SG guy for ages until I randomly got a cheap Squier 25 1/2" Jazzmaster HH a few years back. Now I find myself gravitating more often to that scale length, yet I do sometimes miss the "beefiness" of playing a heavy ass LP stop tail TOM bridge husky boi. The C sharp standard tuning instability tho? Not so much. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Ha! I completely forgot that the original RDs were 25.5"! DeRp. That's gotta feel incredible on a genuine Gibson. Especially in down tunings. I think the closest current production guitars hitting around that spec mark are the Hagstrom Fantomen? Although, their Super Swede is more of where my personal tastes lead me. That, and the fact "PGS Andy" always played one whilst gassing me with QOTSA riffs in a pedal demo! Works. Every. Time. Haha! ✌🤟🖖

With how popular offset guitars are right now, how have they not?

i had an 81 rd standard dark burst that i traded a 40$ bag of weed for back in the day the moog crap was missing so i just wired it up with humbuckers, i wish ide have kept it!

What a strange coincidence. I was just looking at Gibson RDs on Reverb last night. I also even looked for the Balaguer copy but found none. I would buy one, even with a short scale if Gibson starts selling them again as long as the price is reasonable. Reasonable pricing is not a concept that Gibson is too familiar with though.

I 100% agree with everything you just said. However, I'm pretty sure if they actually would make an proper reissue with all the right features (except maybe for that MOOG stuff), they'd need to retool some stuff for a guitar that won't build in large quantities. It will be an expensive guitar.

RD was ridiculous priced as to the vintage ones in the 90's. I couldn't get the 3 in Sound Source, back when they where a hand reach away, but the price tag kept em that way.

You actually like the top mount jack? I have an 84 SG with the jack on the under side and it's killer! Top mounted jacks bug me.

Grzenia Guitars has a very very similar shape. I have two and they’re fantastic.