The 1977 Gibson RD Custom Natural was way ahead of its time

DISCLAIMER: This is not a sponsored video. The guitar was given to me by its owner for a review. This is an honest review and represents my personal opinion.
The 1977 Gibson RD Custom is shockingly advanced for a guitar that came out of the Gibson factory in the late 70s! It goes to show that Gibson were more than capable of innovation even back then. Unfortunately Gibson fans want tradition and the RD did not stick around for long.
0:00 Intro
1:32 Research & Development
6:00 The Specs
9:11 The Pickups
12:07 Bridge & Tailpiece
12:50 Body & Neck
15:11 Back & Electronics
20:16 The Case
22:08 The Weight
22:21 Tone Demo
30:13 My Thoughts
Facebook: / georgevguitars
Instagram: / georgevarbanov
Gear used to record this video:
Amp: Diezel VH-4 120W Head
Cab: Diezel 2x12 Vintage 30 Rear Loaded
Mic: Shure SM57, Audio-Technica AT2035
Interface: M-Audio 192/4
Camera: Sony A6400 with Sigma 30mm F1.4 and Iphone 13 Pro Max
Stands: Athletic stand for cab microphone
#guitar #gibson #metal

[@k2rocksstl]

THANK YOU GEORGE!!!!!!! THIS is My favorite guitar of ALL TIME!!!!!!

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

It is amazing!

[@k2rocksstl]

@@GeorgeVGuitars I’d sell body parts for one lol. I have a reissue custom- transparent blue with quited maple top(no comfort cut) and block inlays w/LP diamond headstock inlay. It’s friggin gorgeous and plays amazing! But this! The versatility is killer! Hammett bought ‘Greeny’ because ofthe Strat tone of the out of phase neck pick up and all he had to dowas get an RD Custom with the bright switch! That’s a SWEET strat twang!!!

[@ABoyd1852]

I just bought a 77 Artist model. It’s fully intact. I had seen these before and never paid much attention to them. As soon as I picked it up, I was hooked. I’m still trying to learn the nuances of it…but that’s part of the fun.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

They are truly unique. Nice buy :>

[@drivenmad7676]

I love those guitars. Always wished i could find a lefty.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Damn, that is going to be hard

[@drivenmad7676]

@@GeorgeVGuitars yeah impossible heheheh. I'll most likely build one with a nice quilt top and mother of pearl inlays. Mmhhmm!!! Hava great day lad.

[@RelicOnMaui]

I owned a Natural Maple RD Arist when it first came out. Paid list price for it. Loved the 25.5" scale length. BUT the MOOG onboard circuitry stank. No by-pass. If the battery failed on-stage, you were out of luck, requiring a screwdriver to be removed. I don't care for compressors, and the "expander" was even worse an effect, for me personally. Like the Explorer and Firebird that preceded the RD, the body was very well balanced. Solid maple construction made them as heavy as a Les Paul, but it was much better suited for playing seated. I think they made a mistake by shortening the reissues to the standard Gibson scale length

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Its more like a studio tool

[@Arnoldcardon]

You should do a video like this on the RD Artist!

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

I will, when I find one ;)

[@danielmuller1572]

I woud say you can build a 2 way Switch on your own. You have to modify a 3 Way Switch.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yeah, probably

[@GeorgiParmakov]

🤘🤘🤘

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

🤘🏻

[@eugenebronstein6296]

Looks cool! Some Fender vibes

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yeah I does have some in the looks.

[@klyballsvintagecomputers5531]

Any way I could get a scan of that schematic

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

It should be available online somewhere, look it up

[@Masterfighterx]

15:32 mineral streak in the wood, not a QC error.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yeah probably

[@eugenebronstein6296]

Time to time I'm watching you video to force myself to play xD

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

DO IT! :>

[@ClaudioBenassi]

This guitar has to come out in 2045.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yep it was and is pretty advanced

[@wadeguidry6675]

Every time I see one of these i think of the bass player of Nirvana.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yeah, the drummer also plays one 😳