The purpose of this guide is to share my experiences in shopping on Ebay for vintage Gibson RD guitars. Included are the summarized results of watching and analyzing 63 completed auctions.

The Gibson RD series was one of several unique and unusual models that Gibson released in the late 70’s and early 80’s. The RD is shaped somewhat like the earlier Firebird models from the 60’s. Three different models were released, the Artist, Custom and Standard. The Artist and Custom models, in addition to somewhat fancier cosmetics, also included active electronics designed by Robert Moog (of synthesizer fame). These electronics appear to have varied slightly from year and model to model, but generally include active tone controls, and compressor/expander circuitry. These features were actually quite innovative for the day. The Standard model’s electronics were the more standard (sic) passive tone and volume controls and pickup switching typical of Gibson’s other guitars. All models featured two humbucking pickups and stop bar/tuneamatic tail piece bridge combination, set necks and the standard 3 on a side tuner setup typical of Gibson electrics. The RD was officially produced from 1977 through 1979, but I have seen serial numbers indicating some were built as late as 1981. Gibson reissued the RD standard in silverburst as one of their “Guitars of the Week” (limited run of 400) in 2007. As of this review, they had not made it to market.

Available literature suggests that they were available in natural, ebony (black), tobacco sunburst and cherry sunburst. However, I have never seen a cherry sunburst and also have seen Custom models in a solid walnut (brown) finish, either with or without maple fingerboards. Standards appear to have mostly rosewood fingerboards, Artist’s ebony and Custom’s maple, but, as usual with Gibson, some variation exists. Many of the Artist models included quite ornate trim, including fancy peghead inlays, binding, etc. Similar models from the same time period include the Marauder and S-1, which share similar cosmetics (but very different electronics) and the Firebird II. The Firebird II appears to be quite rare (I’ve seen only a few) and seems to have shared the RD’s active electronics installed in a Firebird shaped body with a bound, flame maple top, like “The V” and later Explorer 2’s from the same era.

I began watching the results of auctions to get a feel for the market price of various models and years of the guitars and recorded the results in a database. As a general rule, I only include the results of completed auctions, sold in and available to U.S. customers in U.S. $’s. I exclude auctions that appear fraudulent or fake, don’t have adequate descriptions to confirm the condition or identity of the product. As a warning, buying vintage musical instruments has some degree of risk. I encourage all buyers to be familiar with the products they are buying, check the feedback of sellers and use safe payment methods.

On to the results! The average ending auction price for the 63 sampled Gibson RD’s was $1249.10. The highest price paid was $3150 for a mint condition tobacco sunburst Artist model. However, this price was an outlier – the next highest price was $2190 for a similar Artist model. The lowest price paid was $650 for a Custom model that had changed pickups and may have been missing the Moog electronics. This data was gathered for a number of months ending in January 2008.

By model, here are the high, low and average prices:

Artist (34 auctions)  
    High: $3150 (see above)
    Low: $800 (natural finish, Moog electronics missing)
    Average: $1414

Custom (21 auctions)
    High: $1500 (natural finish 1977)
    Low: $710 (natural finish, Moog electronics questionable)
    Average: $1028

Standard (8 auctions)
    High: $1499 (natural finish 1977)
    Low: $661 (‘burst finish)
   Average: $1081

By finish (color), here are the average prices:
    Natural (blond): $1236 (26 auctions)
    Tobacco Sunburst: $1425 (18 auctions)
    Black: $1467 (3 auctions)
    Walnut/brown: $905 (8 auctions, 2 w/ changed pickups/electronics)

Firebird II: I saw only three competed auctions during my observations.
1. $735 – Refinished, Moog electronics missing
2. $1425 – Good condition, Moog electronics gone
3. $2650 – near mint w/ Moog electronics

Conclusions: Unlike some other guitars and amps I’ve shopped for on Ebay, there appears to be large variations in prices on these guitars. In general, the fancier Artist model and the tobacco sunburst finish (and the rare black?) seem to be the most valued. Another definite discriminator is whether the Moog electronics (on Artist and Custom models) is intact and functional. Custom and Artist RD’s with either missing, non-functional or questionable Moog electronics sold for 65% of the price those with the original electronics intact. This is even more interesting in that Standards (that did not include the active electronics) sold for much more than the fancier Artist or Custom models missing the original electronics. As with all vintage guitars, originality commands a premium in the market.
 I ended up buying a 1977 RD Custom in walnut with maple fingerboard and functional Moog electronics for $995. I wanted the active electronics that made the RD unique and the walnut/maple finish (while apparently least desirable) matches my Marauder and S-1  from the same era. I’m pleased with this as an addition to my collection.