77 Howard Roberts Artist

[Djangorocks1]

Good chance I trads in a 77 Howard Roberts Artist in wine red next week.

I would like to hear which strings you guys prefer on these?

[Easy2grasp]

When I got my '74 Gibson HR Custom I slapped some Thomas-Infeld Jazz 112 flatwounds on it. Because they had to be good because they were expensive. After I had the guitar about 10. days, I took it to my luthier for a set-up, etc. I forgot that I still had the strings it shipped with stashed and I should of swapped out the Thomas-Infelds, because he cut them off when he did his set up and put on D'Addario Brite flatwounds light gauge (12's). To tell the truth I can't hear or feel a difference, but I am 69 years old and suffer from hearing loss. Both sets of strings have been very good. I love all the '60's Epi HR's and '70's Gibby's. The gold Artist trim is beautiful with the wine red, much better then the chrome of the Custom. I like the ebony, too.
Ted

[Marty Grass]

I have used everything from 11s to 15s (Martino set). Compared to standard archtops, I don't think there is a particular gauge that matters. The heavy strings drive the top of course.

I'd play the heaviest strings you are very comfortable with.

[Djangorocks1]

Here she is

[Easy2grasp]

That looks like the same pickguard that HR put on his. He also got rid of one of the tone controls.


This guitar is on the cover of the Equinox Express Elevator album.

[Djangorocks1]

The pickguard is a wooden one-off.
Original is broken in a zipper in the case.
I hope it can be glued on a plexiglass backing.