Gibson Introduces Krist Novoselic Signature RD Bass

Gibson Krist Novoselic Signature RD Bass - closeupGibson is helping to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Nirvana’s Nevermind album with the introduction of the Krist Novoselic Signature RD Bass. The grunge bassist used an RD Artist series bass during his years with the trio and as such, the new bass is a recreation of its predecessor, with Novoselic’s own customizations.

The RD body shape is an offset design reminiscent of a curvier, funkier Thunderbird. Both the body and glued-in neck are maple, accompanied by an Obeche fingerboard with acrylic dot inlays.

Gibson says that the combination of woods, matched with the strings-through-body design and three-point bridge, greatly increase the instrument’s sustain and resonance. The pickups are a pair of Seymour Duncan Hot Stack STK-J2’s in the neck and bridge positions, with the knobs configured Volume/Volume/Tone.

Gibson Krist Novoselic Signature RD Bass

In keeping with the classic vibe, the bass has Grover shamrock-key tuner, and the body and neck are both have a sleek Ebony nitrocellulose finish.

The Gibson Krist Novoselic Signature RD Bass is shipped in a hardshell case comes with the company’s limited lifetime warranty. The basses will be shipping soon, and have an MSRP of $2,199. For more info, visit the Gibson website.

Gibson Krist Novoselic Signature RD Bass Specs:

  • Body: Maple
  • Neck: Maple, glued-in
  • Fingerboard: Obeche
  • Frets: 20
  • Inlays: Acrylic Dots
  • Tuners: Grover Shamrock-Key, 20:1 ratio
  • Bridge: String-thru 3-Point with Adjustable Saddles
  • Pickups: Seymour Duncan Hot Stack STK-J2n, STK-J2b
  • Finish: Nitrocellulose

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Leave a Reply to Cedric Buckingham Cancel reply

  1. Kpt_Knobby

    I thought he used Ibanez basses for some reason.

  2. Tom

    He did have one Ibanez lawsuit bass but mostly he used Thunderbirds, RD’s and Rippers. I’m dying to get my hands on an 80’s Ripper/Grabber.

    And this RD is just, too awesome, but also expensive :(

  3. So Gibson just made a jazz bass. WTF?

  4. Jeff

    Cool, but not 2 grand cool. Besides, I already have a Jazz that looks cooler and doesn’t neck dive.

  5. Carlito Esperanza'

    this is the bass that he knocked himself out with on Mtv’s video music awards show way back in 1993.

  6. this is the bass that he knocked himself out with on Mtv’s video music awards show way back in 1993.

  7. It’s a “Frankstein” Fender JB ?!

  8. Interesting! Hmmmm…

  9. I wonder if the key improvement is being lightweight to avoid head injury..LOL Very cool bass, I’ve been a big fan of this RD’s, and the string thru is a nice enhancement.

  10. I’ve still got my 79 model ive had since high school. Plays great and sounds even better with the EMGs I put on.