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Description and photographs of a 1981 Gibson RD Artist electric bass guitar, in Antique Sunburst finish on a curly maple top (CMT). The CMT basses came right at the end of RD production, and perhaps as few as 100 were produced. This bass features the second version switch layout allowing expansion and compression consecutively.

Interview
Ralphe Armstrong, (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jean-Luc Ponty, Curtis Mayfield, James Carter, D-12) talks to John Fertig about his playing, musical career, Gibson endorsement, and of course, his love for Gibson bass guitars. In four parts.

Check out our other Gibson Bass interviews

Feature Your Music If you record with Gibson Bass guitars, you can feature your music FOR FREE on the Gibson Bass website. Check out the Gibson Bass sound clips submitted by some of the bands participating

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GIBSON BASS GUITAR
website

This site has no affiliation with Gibson Guitar Corporation

Gibson were responsible for some of the finest, most stylish guitars and basses of the last half century. This site is predominantly about their basses from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s

Though they did not match other makes in terms of sales figures (Fender wins there!), Gibson basses were widely respected amongst musicians both past and present. Instruments like the EBO, EB2, EB3 and Thunderbird have attained iconic status, and many lesser brands imitated these designs. Other models have been largely forgotten, only to enjoy a come-back when a famous artist is seen sporting them. The RD artist, Ripper and Victory spring to mind as basses of choice for Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, the G3 for Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt, and the Les Paul Triumph for Oasis bassist Paul McGuigan.

Today, Gibson bass guitars hark back to a golden age with the Thunderbird, EB3 (now known as the SG bass) and Les Paul Bass still in production, with the EB1, EB0 and EB3 flags still flown by Gibson subsidary Epiphone.

These pages contain photographs, history, specifications and sound clips for all the significant models manufactured by Gibson up until the early 1980s. If you can contribute anything, please email me at info@gibsonbass.com. I am especially keen to hear from Gibson employees from the 1950s to 1980s and musicians who have used, particularly recorded with these instruments.

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