1978 Gibson Howard Roberts Artist Vintage Archtop Electric Guitar Wine Red w/ Case
$4,799.99
$4,799.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a 1978 Gibson Howard Roberts Artist model archtop electric guitar in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and factory paperwork/case candy. An extremely prolific jazz guitarist, Howard Roberts was a sideman and featured performer on various soundtracks and a mind-boggling number of major studio records. One of Gibson's more unique archtop offerings owing its roots to both Robert's previous Epiphone model and also some of Orville Gibson's earliest instrument designs, the oval soundhole Howard Roberts Artist is the more upscale and uncommon of the two Roberts instruments offered in the era, featuring an ebony fretboard, carved bridge, and tailpiece insert.
Distinctive both visually and sonically with its full-size floating humbucker (unique to this model), the upscale Artist iteration of the Howard Roberts model was produced in sparingly small numbers over a limited four year production run. With its 16” wide florentine cutaway figured maple body and oval soundhole design, the Howard Roberts Artist delivers a refined tone that’s dynamic, smooth, and warm. With more tonal breadth than a typical humbucker, the Roberts model features individual Treble and Bass knobs to dial in the perfect balance of warmth and treble detail.This Howard Roberts Artist benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 11-49 roundwound strings, easy-playing, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Neck: Flame maple
-Shape: Slender C, measuring .810” at 1st fret, .925” at 9th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony, pearl notched small block inlays
-Frets: Medium jumbo, refret, no wear
-Scale Length: 25 1/2”
-Nut width: 1 11/16” (replacement)
-Tuners: Gibson-branded, Schaller-made
-Serialization: Eight-digit serial stamped on back of headstock
Body Specs:
-Body: Flame maple
-Pickups: Floating humbucker
-Controls: Volume, Treble, Bass
-Hardware: Floating ebony bridge, trapeze tailpiece with engraved ebony inlay
-Plastics: Dark brown tortoise pickguard (custom replacement), black speed knobs
-Label: “Union Made” Kalamazoo label
The Wine Red finish has great transparency, highlighting the liberal, deep flame figuring extending across the entire instrument. Every surface of this Howard Roberts has varied, dimensional flame figuring and lively grain. There is light checking at the input jack, one touched-up repaired split in the bass-side maple rim at the waist, and a few minor nicks and light finish scratches consistent with careful use. The guitar also has a smokey odor (think “campfire,” not cigarette smoke). The gloss on the neck profile and back of the headstock has been lightly oversprayed with clear lacquer, smooth and fast in the palm.
The original hardshell case is included, along with the original Gibson warranty paperwork and laminated warranty card.
Distinctive both visually and sonically with its full-size floating humbucker (unique to this model), the upscale Artist iteration of the Howard Roberts model was produced in sparingly small numbers over a limited four year production run. With its 16” wide florentine cutaway figured maple body and oval soundhole design, the Howard Roberts Artist delivers a refined tone that’s dynamic, smooth, and warm. With more tonal breadth than a typical humbucker, the Roberts model features individual Treble and Bass knobs to dial in the perfect balance of warmth and treble detail.This Howard Roberts Artist benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 11-49 roundwound strings, easy-playing, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Neck: Flame maple
-Shape: Slender C, measuring .810” at 1st fret, .925” at 9th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony, pearl notched small block inlays
-Frets: Medium jumbo, refret, no wear
-Scale Length: 25 1/2”
-Nut width: 1 11/16” (replacement)
-Tuners: Gibson-branded, Schaller-made
-Serialization: Eight-digit serial stamped on back of headstock
Body Specs:
-Body: Flame maple
-Pickups: Floating humbucker
-Controls: Volume, Treble, Bass
-Hardware: Floating ebony bridge, trapeze tailpiece with engraved ebony inlay
-Plastics: Dark brown tortoise pickguard (custom replacement), black speed knobs
-Label: “Union Made” Kalamazoo label
The Wine Red finish has great transparency, highlighting the liberal, deep flame figuring extending across the entire instrument. Every surface of this Howard Roberts has varied, dimensional flame figuring and lively grain. There is light checking at the input jack, one touched-up repaired split in the bass-side maple rim at the waist, and a few minor nicks and light finish scratches consistent with careful use. The guitar also has a smokey odor (think “campfire,” not cigarette smoke). The gloss on the neck profile and back of the headstock has been lightly oversprayed with clear lacquer, smooth and fast in the palm.
The original hardshell case is included, along with the original Gibson warranty paperwork and laminated warranty card.
