Fred Newell's "Nashville Now" Gibson Howard Roberts
During Fred Newell's tenure as staff guitarist for TNN's "Nashville Now" program, he played many flashy, custom-built guitars, but this 1989 Gibson (inventory #EH5319) tops them all.
Connoisseurs of Gibson art guitars will recognize the work of Greg Rich, who had been creating dazzling works of art in Gibson's Custom Shop for a little over a year when this guitar was made.
The basic model is a Gibson Howard Roberts with a custom sparkle blue finish on the back, sides and neck. The entire front of the guitar, including the pearloid fingerboard, is adorned with scenes from Nashville, and the pickup covers are gold-plated and engraved.
This instrument was featured in a Gibson calendar, and that calendar, plus a letter from Newell, is included. This historic piece of Nashville (Opryland and "Nashville Now" no longer exist) comes with a hard case and is priced at $9,500.
For further enjoyment...
Ralph Emery and Shotgun Red, 1st fret marker
Fred Newell (pictured left-handed), 3rd fret marker
Opryland's riverboat The General Jackson, 7th fret marker
Gibson rhinestone logo, 9th fret marker
Rhinestone notes, 12th fret marker
Parthenon replica at Nashville's Centennial Park, 15th fret marker
farmhouse and flag, 19th and 21st fret markers
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