Epiphone’s Futura RD Custom supercharges the RD’s timeless vibe, honoring its heritage while reimagining the model with versatile sonics, a sleek modern feel, and some daring futuristic shelf presence. At its core, the Futura RD Custom retains its solid mahogany body and multi-ply top binding, delivering all those memorable late-’70s lines that morphed the best elements of the Firebird and Explorer into one instrument. But the history ends there! Dutifully evolved for speed and comfort, the Futura RD Custom adds a Modern C-shaped mahogany neck with a 10-inch to 14-inch compound-radius ebony fretboard into the equation. Furthermore, a range of modern appointments aid tuning stability and playability, including stainless steel frets, Posi-Lok strap buttons, locking Grover Rotomatic tuners, and a LockTone Tune-o-matic bridge and Stopbar tailpiece. A set of ProBucker Ignite humbucking pickups provides high-output clarity and heat, with push-pull controls for coil splitting and phase switching to help easily shape your tone. Combining vintage design and modern edge, Epiphone’s Futura RD Custom embarks upon a truly innovative endeavor in sight and sound.

Epiphone Futura: the future is now

The Epiphone Futura series arrives freshly pulled from the depths of time — an iridescent iteration of legendary Gibson-inspired body styles, including the SG, Explorer, Flying V, ES-355, Les Paul, Firebird, and RD Custom. Built for captivating sound, pro-grade utility, and shimmer-laced showmanship, this lineup proves more than just a futuristic facelift on some classic silhouettes — it demonstrates forward-thinking on virtually every front. The Futura series’ powerful and versatile guitars also introduce Epiphone’s push-pull-equipped ProBucker Ignite pickups, which treat performers and recording artists alike to a wealth of modern tones. Thanks to sleek designs with stainless steel frets, dome knobs, comfortable modern neck profiles, and split-inlaid compound-radius fingerboards, every element of the Epiphone Futura series brings the future further into focus.

A classic axe for modern players

The Futura RD Custom’s forward-thinking design translates the model’s legendary look and feel for players seeking a modern edge. Its distinct, hybrid-styled mahogany body remains the backbone of the design, matched with a mahogany neck shaped to a comfortable Modern C profile and a smooth-playing 10-inch to 14-inch compound-radius ebony fingerboard. This guitar’s thoughtful blend of past and present provides effortless playability, ensuring Music Experience players feel right at home in any position along the neck. Coated in a striking Chromashift finish, all the Futura RD Custom’s distinctive features are emphasized with color-changing sparkle, complemented by multi-ply body binding, split-block inlays, and chrome pickup housings.

ProBucker Ignite: fiery, articulate tone

The ProBucker Ignite humbuckers fuel the Futura RD Custom’s modern design, adding extra heat to the guitar’s tonal arsenal. Carrying the same philosophy that inspired the Futura lineup, the ProBucker Ignite pickups are a higher-output take on Epiphone’s PAF-style ProBucker. The additional power in these revoiced humbuckers lends them a punchier, aggressive tone that retains clarity as you increase the gain. This blazing tone is made even more versatile with push-pull Volume and Tone pots that offer the snappy articulation of coil splitting and the funky pop of phase switching, letting you tailor your tone no matter the style.

What Epiphone Says...

The new Futura Series guitars from Epiphone are designed for today’s guitarists who want a guitar that delivers professional performance and forward-thinking features. These Inspired by Gibson models deliver tone and style that’s perfect for gigging, recording, or content creation in the modern era. With bold, color-shifting finishes, all-new pickups, and versatile electronic features like coil splitting and phase switching, they have the look and sound that today’s players need to stand out from the crowd and make their own statement, both sonically and visually. Other high-performance features, including stainless steel frets, compound-radius fretboards, and ultra-comfortable neck profiles, make the Futura Series guitars truly innovative and a must-have addition for any guitar collection. The Gibson RD has been a longtime fan favorite, and we’re proud to bring the RD back to the Epiphone lineup with the new Futura RD Custom, a stunning, modern take on a design that was way ahead of its time when Gibson first released it back in 1977. The RD draws inspiration from both the Explorer™ and Firebird™, and the mashup resulted in a unique appearance all its own. The curvaceous mahogany body has 7-ply binding on the top, while the back features a rear contour for comfort. It is equipped with a LockTone™ Tune-O-Matic™ bridge and LockTone Stop Bar tailpiece for outstanding intonation and sustain, while Posi-Lok™ strap buttons keep your strap securely attached. The 25.5” scale mahogany neck has an ultra-comfortable, fast-playing Modern C profile, and is topped with a bound ebony fretboard with 22 stainless steel medium jumbo frets and Super 400-style pearloid split block inlays. The fretboard also features a 10”-14” compound radius, making chording and string bends equally effortless, while the 25.5” scale length makes it an excellent choice for drop tunings. The 5-ply bound Kalamazoo headstock is equipped with locking Grover® Rotomatic® tuners, a Graph Tech® nut, and the Epiphone logo and large Custom split diamond inlays, both in mother-of-pearl. Powering the Futura RD Custom are a pair of Epiphone’s new ProBucker™ Ignite humbucker™ pickups that can hit your amp hard when you want to, while retaining clarity. Push/pull volume and tone controls provide coil-splitting and phase options for even more tonal versatility. The Futura RD is available in two exciting Chromashift color-shifting finishes: Midnight Ember Shift and Twilight Shift, each designed to stand out on camera or on any stage. Whether you’re looking for an instrument with a modern aesthetic, a versatile instrument with plenty of sonic options, or a long-scale model for drop tuning, the Futura RD Custom is a fantastic choice. Get one today and take your content creation, recordings, live performances, and personal expression to a whole new level. It comes packed in a premium gig bag, so it’s ready to join you wherever your music takes you.