Since you struck my curiosity about the RD-77 custom version of the Moog electronics, I decided to have a look at it for you. From what I do see, there will be two separate source follower FETs dedicated to the lead and rhythm pickups respectively. These possibly terminate to the pickup selection switch. Unlike the three way compression/expansion/bright mode switch, I expect this will be changed to a two way normal or bright mode switch selection. Except in these changes that I have now suggested, I cannot foresee any other differences over the RD Artist (proper) when the tone control functionality is incorporated. Only the compression/expansion modes should appear missing.
The Caswell electroplating solution I am suggesting uses brush electroplating over a bath method. While I have not tried this technology out yet it, looks very interesting because it appears total unobtrusive to the integrity of the original hardware. This is just an opinion of mind that one may wish to discuss with a proper jeweler over my untried speculation. I am not in any way trying to sell their products for them here nor am I in any way connected with these Caswell products. It just seems like a nice idea to me in a plating restoration application.
Sure... I can duplicate such boards but I have "the fear of God in me" over patent infringements with either Moog or Gibson. I will not even try this as a prank!!!! Again, I am not remotely affiliated with either Moog/Gibson folks. If either company wishes me to entertain such work, they can bend my ear. The price of a typical $300-$400 for an original board is not unreasonable. That aside, I am not set up to do this myself.
Re-manufacturing such boards in a low lot volume will be this expensive. Since I have two RD Artist boards, I will attempt my changes in the future and maybe report back on this forum at a later date. I do expect my suggested changes will be many orders of an improvement over the original electronics. For example, carbon films will be noisier than metal films. Low noise electronics design is a topic easy enough to research here.
Vishay makes a special line of audiophile resistors too but you will not find the exact component values that you will need for the stock design. It is the shielding technique that I have suggested that will be of the most useful benefit. I surmise matching the FETs requires that you only match the Idss of these parts where a 2SK170BL flavor might do quite nicely. Again, this is only speculation at the present time.
My advice here is free to read but I stress the utmost caution of duplicating these design(s) and claim any distant co-originality will land one in extremely hot water!!!! Besides.... I am sure one might prefer an original Gibson/Moog re-released part to have any practical value at all? I legally stress only either or possibly both companies only hold the licensing rights to do such work. All the best and take care.
