The Epiphone Futura RD Custom: A Guitar with a Unique Blend of Past and Present
The Epiphone Futura RD Custom is a guitar that defies easy categorization. It's a fusion of iconic shapes and features, a blend of the past and present that creates something truly unique. This instrument is a testament to Epiphone's ability to take a concept that was once considered experimental and turn it into a modern, desirable guitar.
What makes the RD Custom particularly fascinating is its origins. Based on the Gibson RD, a guitar designed for synth players in the 70s, it's a relic of a time when guitar-synthesizer integration was a cutting-edge concept. The RD Custom updates this idea, giving it a modern twist that makes it appealing to a broader audience.
One thing that immediately stands out is the guitar's size. At almost half a meter long, it's a substantial instrument, but Epiphone has managed to make the most of the space, ensuring that it feels comfortable and manageable once you get it into your hands. The scale length is also slightly longer than most Epiphones, which is a design choice that has implications for the guitar's playability and tone.
The RD Custom is available in two finishes: Twilight Shift and Midnight Ember Shift. Of the two, the Midnight Ember Shift is the most striking. It's a sophisticated finish with color shifts from deep burgundy through caramel to grape purple, giving the guitar a unique and elegant look.
The guitar's electronics are where the RD Custom really shines. It features Epiphone's ProBucker Ignite humbuckers, which can be coil-split and phase-reversed, offering a staggering 21 different tonal combinations. This level of versatility is impressive, and it's a feature that many guitarists will find appealing.
However, what many people don't realize is that the RD Custom is more than just a versatile guitar. It's a instrument with a distinct character. The neck pickup, for example, has a bright and jangly sound that is both usable and pleasant. The bridge pickup, on the other hand, has a mid-range, cocked-wah quality with a pronounced, edgy character that adds a unique flavor to the guitar's tone.
In my opinion, the RD Custom is a guitar that is best played with gain. The edge in the bridge pickup smooths out completely, and the guitar feels far more in its element. The coil splits and phase effects are less dramatic at full volume with gain in the mix, but the core sound at that point is compelling enough that you won't miss them.
The RD Custom is a guitar that is perfect for players who downtune their guitars due to its longer scale length. However, it's not just for downtuners. Epiphone has managed to shake off the vibes of the late 70s and early 80s RDs and has turned it into a modern instrument that is appealing to a broad range of guitarists.
Whether you're a high-gain, downtuning type, someone who loves to experiment with sounds, or just wants a great-looking and feeling guitar with electronics that are rarely found in a guitar at this price point, the Futura RD Custom might be the guitar you're looking for. If you get the chance to play one, do not pass it up, as I do believe this will be a rather popular Futura model.
In conclusion, the Epiphone Futura RD Custom is a guitar that defies easy categorization. It's a blend of the past and present, a fusion of iconic shapes and features that creates something truly unique. It's a guitar that is perfect for players who want something different, something that stands out from the crowd. And in my opinion, that's exactly what makes it so fascinating.
