I love my Fusion guitar. She is a star burst. The gold finger tail piece looked odd to me at first. And I wasn't sure about the solid block that runs down the body. Now that I have had it for a couple of years, I can only guess the amazing sustain has to do with the block and the tail piece. It's like having the string set in a tuning fork...the string just keeps vibrating. What I am trying to say is if this feature fits your style -- and it won't fit everyone's style, I often play in listening rooms where people are quiet -- then you and your audiences could be in for an experience. I'm not sure how this would go on the rock circuit. Howard Roberts was a jazz man, and he designed it. Mine is Memphis made. People would not continue to pay Gibson prices for no reason.

I recently purchased the cherry finish Howard Roberts. It's one of the most affordable Gibson's out of the Custom Shop, but (this time) is worth the money. It has GREAT clean tones, especially in the mid and upper range. I enjoy playing fingerstyle, and this guitar is a great fit.

I fell in love with the howard roberts fusion guitar after loosing a gibson es 175. im able to get the authentic sound for every type of music I choose to play! jazz,r&b,funk and rock. the howard roberts fusion guitar is the most versital guitar that gibson make! it look so good on stage that other guitarist compliments how good it looks, no more of how good I play!(smile)Bobby Law.

This guitar is very much like the 335's I owned back in the 60's and 70's. It has the potential to have a warm jazz sound but gets very rich when run in overdrive. It has Gibson quality that has endured for years. I have had to take it to the luthier a couple times to get the neck and action perfect. Overall, it is a versatile guitar for those who like to play different styles and can't afford to own more than one or two.

I bought my Howard Roberts 5 years ago it is truly one sweet guitar. Mine has bigsby with a roller nut bridge, rock blues jazz great action killer sustain low feed back. I owned a 175 before this The feedback was its major flaw I do not regrettrading up.