Gibson Howard Roberts Artist

Introduction

Gibson’s endorsement with jazz guitarist Howard Roberts began in the mid-1960s with the introduction of the Epiphone Howard Roberts – a unique 16” cutaway model with a pointy Florentine cut-away, oval soundhole, and carved top. A short-lived model, the original Howard Roberts was discontinued in 1969 along with all other USA-made Epiphone models. In 1974 Gibson brought back the Howard Roberts model with some redesign and new branding as the Howard Roberts Custom. The Artist is essentially the same guitar as a Custom, but with upgraded gold hardware, ebony fingerboard and a different tailpiece name-badge. It features a laminate maple body, multi-ply bindings, slotted block fretboard inlays, and a decidedly Epiphone headstock design, complete with floral / vine inlays.

Low C neck carve with 1-11/16” nut width, 25.4” scale. Figured maple neck, Grover Rotomatic tuners.

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