Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion

**hebaton** · 12-09-2022, 10:03 AM

I know, there is a thread about this guitar. I have only one question and would love to get comments from people who have actual experience with this.
With a pickup change ( I have a set of Fralin pure Paf ) does this instrument sound anywhere near Es-175 territory ? I seem to have read comments to that effect but would like some confirmation before I purchase one...

Thanks !

**jaymen** · 12-12-2022, 12:32 AM

Hey, if a Les Paul can be played and sound Jazzy, then so can the Howard Roberts.
try TI Swing Series Jazz flatwounds, and adjust the pick-up height to suit your taste( lowering them softens the sound) . You can also go a long way with just adjusting the guitars tone and the amp's settings too.

**Litterick** · 12-12-2022, 04:35 AM

I missed two chances to own a Howard Roberts Fusion. It pains me to think of someone having one and wanting to change it.

**hebaton** · 12-12-2022, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by Litterick

I missed two chances to own a Howard Roberts Fusion. It pains me to think of someone having one and wanting to change it.

A change of pickups is entirely reversable and a very common thing to do on multiple instruments. I don't see the harm...

**Woody Sound** · 12-13-2022, 09:54 AM

I think the HRF has a reinforced top to accommodate the set in bridge. I doubt it will emulate a 175. ICBW.

**icr** · 12-13-2022, 10:12 AM

I consider my Howard Roberts Fusion III a ES-175 on which I can bend the strings. I think it has a similar sound. Mine does not sound like my ES-335.

If yours does not sound like your ES-175, it could be many things. I tend to play with the tone rolled off and the volume rolled off a bit, which makes both guitars sound the same.

Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion-red-guitars-jpg

Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion-red-guitars-jpg

**Degranulator** · 12-13-2022, 01:34 PM

I spent a lot of time in 1992 choosing between the HR Fusion and the ES135, that is the fourth guitar in that picture. I went with the ES135 ultimately because it is like a slimmed down 175 and thus felt better to me and sounded better to my ear, although very similar in sound and construction (chromite center block). Overall closer to a 175 than the HRF, but.can cross the stylistic lines just as easily. The stacked P100 humbuckers sounded good too but I replaced them for a while with some Fralin P90s. Loved the neck on my ES135.
In case you haven't gone with the HR something else to consider.

**Woody Sound** · 12-13-2022, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by Degranulator

I spent a lot of time in 1992 choosing between the HR Fusion and the ES135, that is the fourth guitar in that picture. I went with the ES135 ultimately because it is like a slimmed down 175 and thus felt better to me and sounded better to my ear, although very similar in sound and construction (chromite center block).

Chromite?

**customxke** · 12-13-2022, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

Chromite?

Gibson speak for Balsa.

**Degranulator** · 12-13-2022, 09:03 PM

Yeah I was going to say balsa in my post, but chromite just sounds so much more exotic.

**Woody Sound** · 12-14-2022, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Degranulator

Yeah I was going to say balsa in my post, but chromite just sounds so much more exotic.

Strange to name a wood after a substance that is pretty toxic.

**jzucker** · 12-15-2022, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by hebaton

I know, there is a thread about this guitar. I have only one question and would love to get comments from people who have actual experience with this.
With a pickup change ( I have a set of Fralin pure Paf ) does this instrument sound anywhere near Es-175 territory ? I seem to have read comments to that effect but would like some confirmation before I purchase one...

Thanks !

No, it doesn't get into 175 tonal territory though with the tone control down, it can get the metheny vibe
It does get a great jazzy tone, more like benson GB10 territory
Dan Wilson used to use one (with stock pickups)

**icr** · 12-15-2022, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

Strange to name a wood after a substance that is pretty toxic.

Actually CHROMYTE; non-toxic

**Archie** · 12-15-2022, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by hebaton

I know, there is a thread about this guitar. I have only one question and would love to get comments from people who have actual experience with this.
With a pickup change ( I have a set of Fralin pure Paf ) does this instrument sound anywhere near Es-175 territory ? I seem to have read comments to that effect but would like some confirmation before I purchase one...

Thanks !

I’ve had an HR2 and imo it does not.

If it did, we would have to not only end the tone wood debate but we would also have to accept that guitar construction has no real influence on sound.

Does an amplified guitar with the same pickups sound similar? Is the question at hand.