Gibson CEO Cesar Gueikian has hinted at the return of the enigmatic RD guitar. This lesser-known 1970s model garnered a cult following among musicians like Dave Grohl and members of Ghost.
Gibson Set to Resurrect Cult Classic RD Guitar
Gibson is set to revive the cult-favorite RD guitar, a 1970s model known for its unique design and use by legendary musicians like Dave Grohl. CEO Cesar Gueikian teased the return, suggesting a new Mesa/Boogie amplifier is also coming soon (maybe that Adam Jones model?).
Known for its distinctive angular shape and unique features, the RD, which debuted in 1977, deviated from the traditional Gibson aesthetic with a 25.5” scale length and active electronics.
While its initial run was short-lived, the RD found favor with a select group of players, including Grohl, who reportedly used it to record the Foo Fighters’ iconic song “Everlong.“

Instagram ‘Really Dope’ Tease
Gueikian’s recent Instagram post, where he declared the RD “Really Dope” and revealed he’d played it extensively through a “top-secret Mesa amp,” has sent ripples through the guitar world.
This cryptic message, coupled with Gibson’s 2021 acquisition of Mesa/Boogie, suggests a potential shift towards a more high-gain, metal-oriented direction for the brand.
With the 2025 NAMM Show approaching, the official unveiling of the revived RD and its accompanying “top-secret Mesa amp” is highly anticipated.
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2 thoughts on “Is Gibson Set to Resurrect Cult Classic RD Guitar?”
I had an all maple Rd artist bass, 1978, played it for 5 years, regret selling it, I used all of the settings, popped the frets out and used it fretless for a couple years
I had a 78 Rd artist bass, all natural finish, maple board, used all the settings, really fun bass, really heavy, made my early g&l l1000 seem light.
Popped the frets out and played it fretless for a couple years till I had to sell it to pay rent, wish I still had it, paid 350 for it used from a music store