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Serial #: F140

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .83/.91

Materials: Seven-ply bound arched maple laminate body; solid maple neck; solid rosewood fingerboard; pearl block pearl fingerboard inlays.

Hardware: Original chrome hardware includes custom full size Alnico V floating humbucking pickup, triple parallelogram tailpiece, Kluson Deluxe style tuners; compensated adjustable ebony bridge; gold barrel volume and tone knobs; 5-ply bound tortoise pickguard.

Notes: Featured on untold thousands of major studio recordings, movie and TV soundtracks as both a sideman and soloist, the late Howard Roberts was quite possibly the most prolifically recorded jazz guitarist of all time. Like his contemporary Johnny Smith, Roberts also consulted in the creation of a number of technically innovative instruments.

The Howard Roberts Model was introduced by Gibson under its Epiphone label in 1965. Made in Kalamazoo, this original guitar combined an arched 16" body with an extended Florentine cutaway, and a unique oval soundhole, a design with roots in Orville Gibson's very earliest guitars. With its long-scale neck, the Howard Roberts also echoed the snap and feel of the legendary Gibson L-5.

The Epiphone Howard Roberts was discontinued by 1968, but revived under the Gibson logo in 1970. A special full-sized floating humbucker was produced for this model exclusively as well. Three years later, Gibson premiered the most popular version of the model, the Howard Roberts Custom, and 1975 saw the debut of this striking wine finish, the rarest color for the model. Produced in limited numbers, the Howard Roberts Custom was offered for less than a decade until the last one rolled off the line in 1981.

This faithful tribute was designed by our pal Harry Takemoto for his innovative Stringphonic guitar line. Handbuilt with meticulous Japanese craftsmanship, this handsome guitar features a unique custom full size Alnico V floating humbucking pickup, which until now has never been reissued. Vintage correct appointments include the triple parallelogram tailpiece, Kluson style tulip key tuners, and a 5-ply bound tortoise pickguard.

The lightweight oval hole body has a perfectly respectable unplugged voice all on its own, and at just 5lb 15oz, the instrument balances deftly on the lap or the strap. The arched maple laminate offers superior feedback resistance and bulletproof reliability against seasonal changes in temperature and humidity as well. The amplified voice is rich and warm, and the gentle D profile neck has smooth, low action over a fresh high-precision setup.

Brand new with warranty, this model is not yet distributed to North America, and is supplied to us exclusively from the factory, with clear protective film still attached to the pickup and pickguard. Fited in its beautifully designed heavy duty padded Cordura gig bag, this versatile model is a true best buy in a pro quality instrument, for the working player or weekend warrior alike. One only: call now.

Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished, pickup polepieces adjusted and electronics tested.

This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel wound strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

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