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Average Price: $3,848
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Description
Designed for the discerning guitarist seeking a blend of tradition and innovation, the Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion I offers a unique take on the classic semi-hollowbody electric guitar. This model stands out with its versatile tone options, providing a rich sound palette that caters to jazz, blues, and rock enthusiasts alike. Crafted with a laminated maple body and a solid center block, it delivers the warmth and resonance that semi-hollowbody guitars are known for, while minimizing feedback for stage and studio applications.
The Fusion I features a comfortable 25.5-inch scale length, providing a familiar feel for electric guitarists. Its neck is constructed from mahogany, with an ebony fingerboard that offers smooth playability and a touch of elegance. Equipped with dual humbucking pickups, this guitar ensures a full-bodied sound with plenty of sustain and clarity, perfect for expressive solos and nuanced rhythm work. The controls include two volume and two tone knobs, paired with a three-way pickup selector, allowing players to dial in their desired sound effortlessly.
This model also includes a floating bridge and a trapeze tailpiece, offering a classic aesthetic and reliable performance. The Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion I is a testament to quality craftsmanship, making it a reliable choice for both professional musicians and passionate hobbyists.
Key Features:
- Semi-hollowbody design with laminated maple construction
- Mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard
- 25.5-inch scale length for comfortable playability
- Dual humbucking pickups for versatile tone
- Floating bridge and trapeze tailpiece
- Two volume and two tone controls with a three-way pickup selector
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | Howard Roberts Fusion |
| Year | 1980 - 1985 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Archtop Electric Guitars, Hollow Body Guitars |
| Artist | Howard Roberts |
| Body Material | Maple |
| Body Shape | Single Cutaway |
| Body Type | Hollow Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Stop-Bar |
| Color Family | Black, Brown |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Ebony |
| Model Family | Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | H |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
| Series | Gibson Artist Collection |
FAQs
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What kind of music is the Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion I best suited for?
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The Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion I is ideal for jazz and fusion genres due to its warm, rich tones and semi-hollow body design, which provides excellent resonance and sustain.
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What is the neck profile of the Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion I like?
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The Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion I features a comfortable set-neck construction with a maple neck, offering a smooth playing experience suitable for both rhythm and lead guitarists.
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Does the Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion I have a single or double cutaway design?
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The Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion I has a single cutaway design, which allows for easier access to the higher frets, making it suitable for complex solos and intricate playing styles.
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What type of pickups does the Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion I use?
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The Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion I is equipped with a single humbucker pickup, delivering a robust, full-bodied sound perfect for jazz and blues music.
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Is the Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion I suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion I is well-suited for live performances, offering excellent tonal clarity and projection, making it a reliable choice for gigging musicians.
Videos
GuitarPoint
1997 Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion | GuitarPoint Vintage Guitars
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion I.
Value and pricing
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The guitar's effective price is calculated between $300-$800 when bundled with a Mark 5 Boogie amp, which typically sells for $1800-$2300.
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Use cases and applications
Mods and upgrades
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Seymour Duncan Benedetto pickups are praised for enhancing the guitar’s sound, suggesting a popular modification among owners.
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Adding extra electronics, including four push-pull pots and switches for a pre-amp and EQ, enhances the guitar's versatility significantly.
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Some owners have modified their Howard Roberts Fusion with a MIDI pickup, adding another layer of functionality and versatility.
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Features and functionality
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The unique tailpiece is confirmed as a stock feature, contributing to the guitar's distinctive aesthetic.
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User experience
Other
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The guitar is nicknamed the "Gibson Rhino Horn," a term which may relate to its unique cutaway design, possibly even patented.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
Add artist
"I always stuck with my 335, but at the beginning of this tour I got a Howard Roberts Fusion that I love, it's a great guitar. I use that for 'Hemispheres,' 'Tom Sawyer,' 'Camera Eye' and the medley at the end of the night. It's the dark guitar with the single cutaway - it looks like an oversized hollow-body Les Paul, which is basically what it is, it's a hybrid of the Howard Roberts and a Les Paul. It's a hollow-body guitar but it has a maple spur that runs down the center of the body so it's got the weight and density yet it has the acoustic qualities, like at a lower volume setting it's nice and clear, not fat and undefined like the Les Paul usually is. The back pickup is one of the hot Gibson pickups and the other one has a certain coiling to it that's a little more toppy, which you can use in that front, rhythm position."
Album Usage
The Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion I has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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