The Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion III Red is one of Gibson's most underrated professional semi-hollow electric guitars, combining the warmth and resonance of a traditional jazz box with the sustain, versatility and feedback resistance of a centre-block design. Developed from the ideas of legendary session guitarist Howard Roberts, the Fusion III was designed to be a true working musician's instrument, capable of handling everything from jazz and blues to fusion, rock and studio work. 

Featuring a laminated maple semi-hollow body, maple neck, ebony fingerboard, dual humbuckers and the distinctive six-finger adjustable tailpiece, the Fusion III offers a unique playing experience that sits somewhere between an ES-335 and a traditional archtop. The comfortable body depth and Florentine cutaway make it exceptionally playable while retaining the rich, articulate tones that jazz and fusion players love. 

This pre-owned Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion III is finished in Red, presented in very good condition and comes complete with a hardcase. Whether you're a jazz guitarist, session player, collector or someone looking for a versatile American-made semi-hollow guitar, the Fusion III remains one of Gibson's hidden gems.

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Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This guitar is in very good condition with cosmetic wear consistent with careful ownership and regular use.

Fully functional, professionally checked and ready for its next owner.

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What's Included?

✔ Hardcase

✔ Fully Checked & Tested by Fair Deal Music

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Condition Notes

• Very good overall condition

• Signs of careful ownership and use

• Electronics functioning correctly

• Hardware functioning correctly

• Structurally sound and fully playable

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Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Our team has thoroughly inspected and tested this Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion III to ensure it is fully functional and ready for sale.

Checks completed include:

✔ Pickups tested

✔ Volume and tone controls verified

✔ Selector switch checked

✔ Output jack inspected

✔ Neck assessed

✔ Fingerboard inspected

✔ Frets checked

✔ Tuners tested

✔ Hardware verified

✔ Bridge and tailpiece inspected

✔ Playability assessed

✔ Overall condition verified

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Service / Setup Work

Prior to sale, this guitar has been checked and prepared by our team.

Work completed includes:

✔ Neck relief checked

✔ Action checked

✔ Electronics tested

✔ Hardware inspected

✔ Frets assessed

✔ Intonation checked

✔ General playability evaluated

✔ Restrung where required

All pre-owned guitars are set up and checked before leaving the shop. Please note that setup can occasionally shift during delivery due to changes in humidity and temperature, as wood naturally responds to environmental changes.

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Why Choose The Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion III?

Exceptional Semi-Hollow Versatility

The Fusion III was designed to bridge the gap between traditional jazz guitars and modern semi-hollow instruments, making it equally comfortable in jazz clubs, recording studios and live rock settings. 

Comfortable Body Design

Its unique body depth sits between a full-size archtop and an ES-335, providing excellent comfort while maintaining impressive acoustic resonance. 

Premium Ebony Fingerboard

The bound ebony fingerboard offers a smooth playing surface, articulate note attack and the premium feel expected from a high-end Gibson instrument. 

Distinctive Six-Finger Tailpiece

One of the Fusion III's most recognisable features is its adjustable six-finger tailpiece, providing excellent tuning stability and a unique aesthetic.

Professional Gibson Humbucker Tones

The dual humbucker setup delivers warm jazz cleans, articulate blues tones and enough power for fusion and classic rock applications.

Increasingly Collectable

With production ending in the late 2000s, the Howard Roberts Fusion III has become increasingly sought after by players and collectors who appreciate its unique place in Gibson's history.

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Why Buy Pre-Owned?

Buying pre-owned allows musicians to access premium USA-made Gibson instruments while achieving excellent value.

Benefits include:

• Better value than buying new

• Reduced depreciation

• Professionally checked before sale

• Access to discontinued Gibson models

• Sustainable alternative to buying new

• Increasing collectability

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Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion III vs Gibson ES-335

The ES-335 offers a slimmer body and more traditional semi-hollow design, while the Fusion III provides a deeper body, enhanced resonance and a more jazz-focused personality.

Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion III vs Gibson ES-175

The ES-175 delivers a more traditional hollow-body jazz sound, while the Fusion III offers improved feedback resistance and greater versatility across genres.

Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion III vs Gibson ES-137

Both occupy a similar space between hollow and semi-hollow designs, though the Fusion III features Howard Roberts' distinctive design concepts and premium appointments.

Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion III vs Heritage H-535

The Heritage offers classic semi-hollow styling, while the Fusion III provides a unique body shape, deeper construction and distinctive Gibson heritage.

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Who Is It For?

Beginners

A premium instrument best suited to dedicated players looking for a professional-level guitar.

Intermediate Players

An outstanding upgrade for players wanting a versatile USA-made semi-hollow guitar.

Professional Players

Ideal for gigging musicians, session guitarists, jazz performers and recording artists.

Particularly Recommended For

• Jazz musicians

• Fusion players

• Blues guitarists

• Session musicians

• Studio recording

• Classic rock players

• Worship musicians

• Semi-hollow enthusiasts

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Why Choose A Semi-Hollow Guitar With A Centre Block?

Centre-block semi-hollow guitars offer many of the tonal benefits of a hollow body while improving sustain and reducing feedback.

Benefits include:

• Greater feedback resistance

• Improved sustain

• Enhanced versatility

• Rich harmonic character

• Warm clean tones

• Excellent recording performance

For players who need one guitar to cover multiple styles, a quality semi-hollow guitar remains one of the most versatile options available.

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Product Story / Context

Howard Roberts was one of the most respected session guitarists and educators of the twentieth century, working on countless recordings and helping establish what would become the Musicians Institute in Hollywood. His collaboration with Gibson resulted in a series of innovative instruments designed for working professionals. 

The Fusion III was introduced in 1991 as the final evolution of the Howard Roberts Fusion line, incorporating premium features such as gold hardware, a bound ebony fingerboard and the distinctive finger-style tailpiece. Production continued until 2009, helping establish the Fusion III as one of Gibson's most versatile semi-hollow designs. 

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Associated Artists / Songs / Performances

While the Fusion III is most closely associated with Howard Roberts himself, its versatile design has appealed to countless jazz, blues and fusion players looking for a guitar capable of handling demanding professional work.

Howard Roberts was a renowned session guitarist, educator and co-founder of the Musicians Institute, contributing to thousands of recordings throughout his career. 

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Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Name	Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion III
Finish	Red
Type	Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar
Body Construction	Laminated Maple Semi-Hollow
Centre Block	Chromyte Sustain Block
Neck Material	Maple
Fingerboard	Ebony
Scale Length	24.75"
Frets	22
Pickup Configuration	HH
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-Way Selector
Tailpiece	Gibson Six-Finger Adjustable Tailpiece
Hardware	Gold
Country of Manufacture	USA
Condition	Very Good

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Power Requirements

Not applicable.

This is a passive electric guitar and does not require batteries or external power.

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Pairs Perfectly With

• Valve combo amplifier

• Jazz guitar strings

• Premium instrument cable

• Guitar stand

• Clip-on tuner

• Transparent overdrive pedal

• Reverb pedal

• Delay pedal

• Recording interface

• Selected pre-owned amplifiers

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Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Fair Deal Music is a family-run independent music retailer founded in 1987 and Birmingham's largest independent music store.

With over 6,000 Excellent Trustpilot reviews, knowledgeable musicians available by phone, online and in-store, fast UK delivery and secure online ordering, customers across the UK trust Fair Deal Music when purchasing both new and pre-owned instruments.

Our Birmingham showroom features a constantly changing selection of premium, vintage and collectible guitars, while our specialist pre-owned department helps musicians buy, sell and trade quality instruments with confidence.

Looking for advice on choosing the right semi-hollow guitar, jazz guitar or professional recording instrument? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Howard Roberts Fusion III a jazz guitar?

Yes, but it is far more versatile than many traditional jazz guitars and works exceptionally well for blues, fusion and classic rock. 

How does it compare to an ES-335?

The Fusion III has a deeper body and a more archtop-inspired design, while the ES-335 offers a slimmer and more traditional semi-hollow feel.

What is the six-finger tailpiece?

It's a unique adjustable Gibson tailpiece that allows individual string tension adjustment and is one of the Fusion III's signature features. 

Is it suitable for gigging?

Absolutely. The centre-block construction helps reduce feedback and makes it an excellent live-performance instrument. 

What styles of music does it suit?

Jazz, fusion, blues, classic rock, session work and worship music are all excellent fits.

Is the Fusion III collectable?

Yes. Production ended in 2009 and the model has become increasingly desirable amongst Gibson enthusiasts and collectors. 

Is it suitable for recording?

Yes. The combination of semi-hollow warmth and centre-block clarity makes it an excellent studio guitar.

Can I try it in-store?

Yes. You're welcome to visit our Birmingham showroom to try available guitars and speak with our experienced team.