Gibson Custom Shop Hummingbird Elegant Koa Electro Acoustic Guitar in Honey Burst

The Gibson Custom Shop Hummingbird Elegant Koa Electro Acoustic in Honey Burst takes the iconic square-shouldered Hummingbird and dresses it in premium koa and AAA Sitka spruce, with refined Artisan Series appointments and stage-ready L.R. Baggs electronics. It is a visually stunning, highly responsive instrument that rewards every touch with shimmering clarity, evolving warmth and inspiring playability.

First introduced in 1960, the Hummingbird quickly became a studio and stage staple thanks to its powerful voice and remarkable versatility. The Hummingbird Elegant Koa builds on that legacy with koa back and sides, a AAA Sitka spruce top and carefully curated Custom Shop detailing. The result is a guitar that feels special the moment you pick it up, whether you are strumming big open chords, fingerpicking intricate patterns or tracking vocals and acoustic in the studio.

Koa is renowned for its vibrant, figured grain and articulate tonal character. Paired with the responsive Sitka spruce top, it delivers a bright, clear sound that gradually develops extra warmth and richness the more you play. A three rope marquetry back strip highlights the centre seam of the koa back, while the gloss nitrocellulose finish and Honey Burst colour allow the wood to glow under stage lights. It is a guitar that looks as luxurious as it sounds.

Playability is equally considered. The mahogany neck is carved to a comfortable Round profile that feels instantly familiar, with a bound rosewood fingerboard, 20 standard frets and abalone split parallelogram inlays adding a touch of Custom Shop elegance. Gold Grover Rotomatic tuners, a rosewood belly up bridge with TUSQ saddle and pins, and abalone bridge dots complete a premium hardware package that is built for stability and precision.

For live performance and recording, the factory fitted L.R. Baggs VTC system captures the guitar’s natural acoustic character with impressive clarity and dynamic response. The under saddle Element pickup and discreet soundhole mounted volume and tone controls let you shape your sound on the fly without compromising the guitar’s classic look. Whether you are on stage, in the studio or writing at home, the Hummingbird Elegant Koa offers a deeply expressive, evolving voice and a level of craftsmanship that invites you to keep playing.

Elegant Artisan Series Detailing

From the abalone split parallelogram fingerboard inlays to the abalone Gibson logo and crown on the headstock, the Hummingbird Elegant Koa is packed with refined visual touches. The three rope marquetry back strip and gold hardware add to the sense of luxury, making this guitar feel like a true Custom Shop piece every time you open the case.

Iconic Hummingbird Aesthetic, Reimagined

The classic Hummingbird pickguard artwork of flowers, butterfly and hummingbird is reinterpreted in a tortoiseshell hue with gold and silver foil accents, creating a shifting, iridescent effect under changing light. Combined with the Honey Burst finish and square shouldered body shape, it delivers a timeless yet distinctive look that stands out on any stage.

Comfortable, Player Focused Neck

The mahogany neck with its Round profile, 24.75 inch scale length and 12 inch radius bound rosewood fingerboard offers a familiar, inviting feel for both chord work and lead lines. It encourages long playing sessions without fatigue, allowing you to focus on expression and dynamics rather than fighting the instrument.

Stage and Studio Ready Electronics

The L.R. Baggs VTC system combines an under saddle Element pickup with an internal preamp to deliver a natural, dynamic amplified tone. Discreet volume and tone controls at the soundhole edge keep the top clean while giving you instant access to level and basic EQ, so your acoustic sound translates authentically in any performance or recording situation.

• Premium Koa Back and Sides - Koa offers a vibrant visual character and a bright, articulate tone that gradually gains warmth and depth as you play. This evolving voice makes the guitar feel more personal over time, rewarding regular use with an increasingly rich, balanced sound.
• AAA Sitka Spruce Top - The AAA grade Sitka spruce top provides excellent responsiveness and dynamic range, from delicate fingerpicking to powerful strumming. Its clarity and projection ensure your playing cuts through in a mix while still sounding full and musical.
• L.R. Baggs VTC Pickup System - The factory fitted L.R. Baggs VTC electronics faithfully capture the guitar’s acoustic character, making it ideal for live performance and recording. With discreet soundhole mounted controls, you can quickly adjust your volume and tone without affecting the guitar’s classic appearance.
• Custom Shop Aesthetic and Hardware - Abalone inlays, gold Grover Rotomatic tuners, a rosewood belly up bridge and the ornate Hummingbird tortoiseshell pickguard combine to create a premium look and feel. This level of detailing not only enhances pride of ownership but also delivers reliable tuning stability and consistent performance.

Body

• Body Shape: Hummingbird
• Top Material: Sitka spruce
• Back Material: Koa
• Sides Material: Koa
• Body Binding: Single ply top and back
• Body Finish: Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer

Neck

• Neck Material: Mahogany
• Neck Profile: Round
• Scale Length: 24.75 inch
• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
• Fingerboard Radius: 12 inch
• Number of Frets: 20 standard
• Fingerboard Binding: Single ply
• Inlays: Split parallelogram
• Inlay Material: Abalone
• Neck Joint: Dovetail
• Nut Material: TUSQ

Hardware

• Bridge: Belly up
• Bridge Material: Rosewood
• Saddle Material: TUSQ
• Bridge Pins: TUSQ
• Tuning Machines: Grover Rotomatic
• Hardware Finish: Gold
• Pickguard: Hummingbird tortoiseshell

Electronics

• Pickup System: L.R. Baggs VTC
• Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone