Gibson Hummingbird Vintage Acoustic Guitar in Cherry Sunburst

The groundbreaking look and sound of the 1960's. The Hummingbird, simply the world's most distinctive acoustic guitar. Based around a dreadnought style body with a deep, rich tone that is just great for bluesy, fingerpicking style playing and has a strong, rich chord response that's just great. This vintage inspired version of the guitar uses some new manufacturing techniques to give it a real aged feel and sound.

The Tones

The sound of the Hummingbird is known to be deep with a rich high end and this model is exactly the same. Using Sitka Spruce for the top and Mahogany for the back the body on this guitar the Hummingbird has a sound similar to the J45 but with added high end and not as much of a woody midrange. More modern style fans will most likely fall in love with the hummingbird while the J45 will most likely suit a player who wants more of a 60's or 70's vibe.

One of the very interesting things that Gibson did with the Hummingbird Vintage is that they used a new thermally aged top. By aging the top you bring out the best of the woods as when guitars get older the wood starts to resonate more as it dries out. This is why guitars that are 20+ years old have a particularly sweet character to them.

Improved Fit and Finish

One big focus for Gibson in 2016 was making sure that the fit and finish are as clean as possible so you have the best experience possible. As part of this they are not only using a new sandpaper and polishing compounds for the best finish but they have also modified some of the neck dimensions.

By smoothing out the fretboard edge it will feel a lot more natural in your hands even when you are going for weird and wonderful chord shapes. Finally they have also started using Plek technology which makes sure the frets are nothing short of perfect giving you the best playing experience.

Here's what Gibson have to say about the Songwriter Deluxe Studio EC

Introduced in 1960 as Gibson’s first square-shouldered dreadnought, the Hummingbird arrived at the dawn of a new era in music, and was rapidly embraced by the prime movers on the scene. Built with Thermally Cured sitka spruce top, the new 2016 Hummingbird Vintage reflects the appearance and performance of those early iconic instruments.

New features

• Thermally Aged Top: This allows us to replicate the aging process on the cellular level for that legendary Gibson Acoustic vintage sound and appearance
• New Tuners: Period correct style tuners for added authenticity
• Improved Feel: Fingerboard edge is softened to comfortably fit the contour of the player's hand
• Enhanced Finish: Finer grit sandpaper and polishing compounds for smooth VOS finish
• Premium Setup: Utilizing state-of-the-art German engineered Plek technology to create the finest playing surface possible. Hand finished for the world’s finest feel and playability
• Smoother hand rubbed and oiled fingerboard and bridges: New penetrating and finishing oil lasts longer and maximizes wood’s natural vibrancy

Specifications

Top

• Wood Species: Thermally Cured Sitka Spruce
• Pieces: 2
• Grade: AA
• Binding: 6 ply

Back

• Wood Species: Mahogany
• Pieces: 2
• Binding: 4 Ply

Weight

• Average Weight (body only): 1.03kg / 2.28lb
• Materials Used
• Glue: Franklin Titebond 50
• Radiused top with scalloped bracing for projection and resonance
• Body Contour
• Carve: Radiused

Neck

• Wood Species: Mahogany
• Pieces: 1

Details

• Truss Rod: Single Action
• Profile: Round
• Thickness at Fret 1: 2.07cm / .815"
• Other Materials: Franklin Titebond 50, hot hide glue neck joint
• Average Weight: .413kg / .911lb

Peg Head

• Type: CF-100
• Inlay: MOP
• Logo: MOP Gibson
• Headstock Angle: 17 degrees
• Tonal, Resonant, and/or Technical Effect: Compound Dovetail neck joint for resonance distribution throughout guitar

Neck Fit

• Joint Angle: 3 degrees
• Type: Compound Dovetail
• Adhesive: Hot hide glue
• Gauges Used: Short Scale Pitch Gauge, Rule
• Nut Material: Bone
• Width: 4.38 cm / 1.725"
• Slots: E: 0.053, A: 0.043, D: 0.032, G: 0.024, B: 0.016,e: 0.012

Fingerboard

• Wood Species: Rosewood
• Pieces: 1
• Fingerboard Details
• Radius: 30.48 cm / 12 "
• Frets: 20
• Nut/End of Board: 4.38 cm / 1.725" @ nut, 5.70cm / 2.25" @ end of board
• Scale: 62.865cm / 24.75"
• Binding: Single Ply Cream
• Side Dots (Color): Black

Fingerboard Inlays

• Style: Paralellogram
• Material: Mother of Pearl
• Average Weight: 118.38gr / 4.176oz

Antique Natural

• Color Code: VCS
• Surface Texture: Smooth/ Hi Gloss 90 Sheen Lacquer
• Sealer: 1-1.5 mils
• Top: H.B. - TV STAIN-L41R0016L1
• Top Coat: Hi Gloss Lacquer/ 90 Sheen 7-8 mils
• Scraped: Fingerboard Sides and Nut

Tuning Keys

• Style: Gold Gotoh
• Weight: 24.49gr / .864oz
• Tuning Keys Details
• Tuning Ratio: 15:01
• Plating specs: Gold

Bridge

• Style: Belly up traditional
• Material: Rosewood with Bone saddle
• Weight:  22g / .8 oz

Pick Guard

• Style: Cast Hummingbird
• Truss Rod Cover Style: 2016

Other

• Case Style: Hard Shell
• Color: Black
• Manual: Gibson Acoustic Owner's Manual
• COA/Other: None