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Late 1974, early 1975, Ibanez Howard Roberts Model 2543. A take on the Gibson Howard Roberts model, single-cutaway archtop, oval sound-hole, withneck-mounted pickup.
Often referred to as the ‘Lawsuit’ model. Elger Guitars, a US Distributor, contracted with Hoshino Gakki to produce copies of popular American guitars. In 1971 Hoshino bought Elger. Eventually, Gibson’s parent company sued Hoshino for infringing the shape of the headstock – the ‘Open Book’ design – but by the time they settled, Hoshino had changed the headstock shape, closer to one often used by Guild.
This Ibanez Howard Roberts, in a Sunburst, was built in late 1974 or early 1975. It has no serial number, which helps date it – serial numbers started to appear in later 1975, and this model was introduced in 1974. It’s in very original condition and in great shape. It plays as good as it looks, with one of the most striking flame maple top and backs I have seen on one of these early Ibanez Howard Roberts guitars.
