Gibson Custom RD Custom Prototype #1 - Ebony
Local pickup available
Gibson Custom RD Custom Prototype #1 - Ebony
Columbia, MO
2609 E Broadway #206
Columbia MO 65201
United States
Joplin, MO
1202 S Rangeline Rd
Suite #6
Joplin MO 64801
United States
O'Fallon, MO
4689 State Hwy K
O'Fallon MO 63368
United States
Overland Park, KS
11625 Metcalf Avenue
Overland Park KS 66210
United States
Springfield, MO
1560 East Raynell Place
Springfield MO 65804
United States
Wichita, KS
2300 E Lincoln St
Wichita KS 67211
United States
Give your new guitar a pro fret level and let it play as smooth as it sounds. More sustain, better intonation, zero buzz—just pure, clean riffs. Learn more
Give your new guitar a pro fret level and let it play as smooth as it sounds. More sustain, better intonation, zero buzz—just pure, clean riffs. Learn more
Description
Gibson Custom RD Custom Prototype #1 - Ebony
The Gibson RD burst onto the scene in 1977 as a bold experiment in modern design. Blending the sweeping, futuristic curves of the Explorer and Firebird, it quickly carved out a status as a revered cult classic among boundary-pushing musicians. This very specific model holds massive historical weight: this is the very first RD Custom prototype ever created at the Gibson Custom Shop, serving as the pioneering foundation for the Modern Collection Custom Series release. Over the decades, the RD's heavy-hitting legacy has been cemented on stage by legendary artists like modern progressive icon Brent Hinds of Mastodon.
Crafted with an uncompromising all-mahogany foundation, this powerhouse pairs a solid mahogany body with a set mahogany neck to unlock an ocean of deeply resonant warmth and monumental sustain. It breaks monumental new ground for the Custom Shop by introducing a snappier 25.5-inch scale length—a historical first for a solidbody instrument from this elite tier. This longer scale yields tighter low-end tension and exceptional note articulation, making it a dream for dropped tunings and high-gain complexity without losing an ounce of signature Gibson richness.
To turn all that resonance into high-octane performance, it is loaded with a pair of Gibson’s finest humbuckers: a smooth, vintage-voiced 490R at the neck and a hotter, high-output 498T at the bridge driven by Alnico V magnets. Hand-wired alongside premium 500K CTS potentiometers, this setup easily navigates from warm, pristine cleans to aggressive heavy metal grind and singing lead tones. Wrapped in a high-gloss Ebony finish with gold hardware, multi-ply binding, mother-of-pearl block fretboard inlays, and the iconic split-diamond headstock emblem, this historic prototype looks every bit as prestigious as it sounds.
Why Buy A Guitar From Palen Music Center?
Palen Music Center has a wide range of unique guitars to enhance the sound of your music! We have been trusted by musicians across the country since 1963 and are constantly working to provide the best value for our customers. With the addition of our new PLEK machine and our longtime veteran luthiers, we are pleased to provide top-quality guitar repair.
The instrument pictured is the exact instrument you’ll receive. All fretted instruments receive a free complimentary professional setup.
Please feel free to reach out to our knowledgeable sales staff with any additional questions!
Specs
Videos
Highlights
Gibson Custom RD Custom Prototype #1 - Ebony
The Gibson RD burst onto the scene in 1977 as a bold experiment in modern design. Blending the sweeping, futuristic curves of the Explorer and Firebird, it quickly carved out a status as a revered cult classic among boundary-pushing musicians. This very specific model holds massive historical weight: this is the very first RD Custom prototype ever created at the Gibson Custom Shop, serving as the pioneering foundation for the Modern Collection Custom Series release. Over the decades, the RD's heavy-hitting legacy has been cemented on stage by legendary artists like modern progressive icon Brent Hinds of Mastodon.
Crafted with an uncompromising all-mahogany foundation, this powerhouse pairs a solid mahogany body with a set mahogany neck to unlock an ocean of deeply resonant warmth and monumental sustain. It breaks monumental new ground for the Custom Shop by introducing a snappier 25.5-inch scale length—a historical first for a solidbody instrument from this elite tier. This longer scale yields tighter low-end tension and exceptional note articulation, making it a dream for dropped tunings and high-gain complexity without losing an ounce of signature Gibson richness.
To turn all that resonance into high-octane performance, it is loaded with a pair of Gibson’s finest humbuckers: a smooth, vintage-voiced 490R at the neck and a hotter, high-output 498T at the bridge driven by Alnico V magnets. Hand-wired alongside premium 500K CTS potentiometers, this setup easily navigates from warm, pristine cleans to aggressive heavy metal grind and singing lead tones. Wrapped in a high-gloss Ebony finish with gold hardware, multi-ply binding, mother-of-pearl block fretboard inlays, and the iconic split-diamond headstock emblem, this historic prototype looks every bit as prestigious as it sounds.
Why Buy A Guitar From Palen Music Center?
Palen Music Center has a wide range of unique guitars to enhance the sound of your music! We have been trusted by musicians across the country since 1963 and are constantly working to provide the best value for our customers. With the addition of our new PLEK machine and our longtime veteran luthiers, we are pleased to provide top-quality guitar repair.
The instrument pictured is the exact instrument you’ll receive. All fretted instruments receive a free complimentary professional setup.
Please feel free to reach out to our knowledgeable sales staff with any additional questions!