Since taking over as Gibson’s CEO in 2023, Cesar Gueikian has been exploring the brand’s archives. Last year, Gibson revived the iconic ‘80s Victory model and brought the long-forgotten 1950s Theodore Standard to life. Now, it looks like the Gibson RD might be making its return as well.
Gueikian teased the potential revival in a recent Instagram video. While playing on an RD, he captioned the post: “This fiddle is ‘Really Dope’! I’ve already played it 14 times this month of January 2025 through a 2-channel top-secret Mesa amp solo; without pedals!”
The Gibson RD, originally launched in 1977, featured a selection of guitars and basses. The RD name stands for ‘research and development,’ and the line was notable for its active electronics, designed to cater to both the guitar and synthesizer markets. These electronics offered switchable bright mode, treble, and a bass boost option on certain models.
Despite its discontinuation, the RD remains beloved by many musicians. Dave Grohl, in the early days of Foo Fighters, played a Gibson RD Standard with a Tobacco Burst finish. Fans can hear the RD on various recordings, including a full festival set in 1996 at the Tibetan Freedom Concert in San Francisco. Audio engineer Bradley Cook also speculates that Grohl used the RD on the iconic 1997 track “Everlong.”
Grohl’s former Nirvana bandmate Krist Novoselic was another fan of the RD, using the Gibson RD bass. Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page also played a Gibson RD Artist at two Knebworth dates in 1979. More recently, members of Ghost have been seen performing with the RD on stage.
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