From the June 1979 the RD Artist changed in a number of ways (see the RD Artist page for details). From then on, the original RD Artist was available by custom order as the RD-77. The newer Artist was then known as simply the RD Artist, or the RD-79. Shipping figures are confusing - whether the 1979 Artist figures include pre-79 RD-77s in not clear. The existence of 1977 RD-77s is also unexplained.
RD-77 and RD-79 guitars were available into the early 1980s, but no shipping figures are available.
Model \ Year | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | total |
RD Artist | 674 | 1314 | 352 | 2340 |
RD-77 | 7 | 114 | 121 | |
RD Custom | 698 | 352 | 327 | 1377 |
RD Standard | 582 | 429 | 254 | 1265 |
All prices are zone 1 in $US. There is no price difference between the RD 77 and RD 79 instruments
RD Artist | RD Custom | RD Standard | |
January 1978 |
$859 |
$759 |
$659 |
Last price list appearances are 1/7/80 for the Artist and 1/6/79 for the Custom and Standard
Comparison of prices from the January 1978 Gibson price list | |||
L-5S |
$1079 |
RD Standard |
$699 |
The Gibson RD series appeared in these Gibson catalogs. All three models are listed in the 1978 catalogue, though only the RD Artist appears in the 1980.
£1950
£3090
AU $4069