The Gibson Hummingbird is one of Gibson’s most iconic acoustic guitar models. First introduced in 1960, the Hummingbird stands out thanks to its square shoulders and the ornate pickguard depicting a hummingbird in flight.
Gibson Hummingbirds are prized instruments, known for their warm, full sound. Vintage models from the 1960s are especially sought after by collectors and musicians. However, as with any iconic guitar, forgeries exist. Luckily, there are some telltale signs that can help determine whether a Gibson Hummingbird is the real deal or a fake.
Check the Logo and Labels
One of the first things to look at is the logo on the headstock and any labels inside the body. Make sure the logo looks clean and crisp, with good spacing between letters. Fakes often have uneven, crooked, or poorly defined logos.
Examine the truss rod cover at the headstock as well. On authentic 60s Gibsons, the truss rod cover should be made of white acrylic plastic with “Gibson” printed in Larger connected font letters. Fakes might have truss rod covers with smaller printed lettering.
Inside the body, check that the label states “Gibson Hummingbird” properly. Vintage Gibson labels were crisp black lettering on a white background. Make sure the text isn’t fuzzy or faded. There should also be a serial number present that you can reference against known Gibson numbering schemes.
Inspect the Materials and Hardware
The materials and hardware of a real 1960s Gibson Hummingbird should match the specs of guitars produced back then:
– The body should be made of solid sitka spruce on top with mahogany back and sides. Scrutinize the grain patterns to ensure they look natural.
– The neck is mahogany and should have an adjustable truss rod with a nut that is either plastic or bone.
– The fretboard should be rosewood with mother of pearl dot inlays. Look closely at the inlays to see that they are cut accurately and cleanly.
– Machines heads should have a vintage look with enclosed chrome or gold tuners stamped with “Gibson” in a half moon pattern.
– The pickguard should be large and ornate, with a detailed hummingbird illustration.
– The bridge should be rosewood and sit correctly in relation to the end pin.
– Hardware like strap buttons, bridge pins, pole pieces, etc. should all match the correct era specifications.
If any of these specs seem off, that’s a warning sign the Hummingbird may be a forgery.
Check the Workmanship
Gibsons are American-made guitars built to high standards, so the workmanship should be excellent:
– Examine the entire guitar closely under good lighting to check for sloppy glue job, uneven finishes, tool marks, etc.
– Hardware should fit cleanly with no gaps, rough edges, or tool marks.
– Frets should be firmly set into the fretboard and exhibit good crown and height consistency.
– There should be no sharp edges anywhere that could cause playability issues or cut a hand.
– The nut and bridge slots should be cut properly for string spacing.
– Solid woods should join tightly with no cracks or gaps.
Shoddy craftsmanship is a giveaway it’s not a real Gibson. While Gibson QA has varied slightly over the decades, a 60s Gibson should still reflect fine workmanship for the era.
Consult the Serial Number
Checking the serial number is vital for verifying any vintage guitar. Here’s how to decode the serial number on a 1960s Gibson Hummingbird:
– It will be an 8 or 9 digit number stamped on the back of the headstock.
– The first number indicates the last digit of the year it was produced. For example “8” means 1968.
– The next 3 digits indicate the day of the year.
– The remaining digits are the sequence number.
So a serial number of “8012345” decodes to a 1968 Gibson Hummingbird made on the 123rd day of 1968, and was the 12345th guitar stamped that day.
Reference the serial against databases of known 60s Gibson serial numbers. This can match it to possible manufacture dates and detect numbers that don’t align to real Gibson batches.
If the seller refuses to show the serial number or it’s clearly been altered, that’s a red flag.
Look for Gibson Model Numbers
Matching model numbers can also help verify if a Hummingbird is authentic:
– Gibson Hummingbirds were model M-1958 from 1959 to 1966.
– In 1967, they changed to model 1968.
– By 1969 they were listed as model N-1918X
– By 1971 they became the model 1919M
See if any model or style numbers stamped inside the guitar match the appropriate era designations. Mismatched numbers are a sign it’s an imposter.
Consider Where and How It’s Being Sold
Context around the sale can provide clues to root out forgeries:
– Is the seller offering the guitar well below typical market value for vintage specimens? If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
– Does the seller claim not to know much about the guitar’s history or provide fuzzy answers to questions about its provenance? Authentic instruments usually come with more concrete backstories.
– Can the seller show a continuous line of ownership and documentation going back decades? Proven history is a good sign.
– Is it being sold in an area known for counterfeit instruments? Certain regions are more dubious.
– Does the seller have a respectable reputation in vintage guitar dealing and collecting? Their reputation can be insightful.
While not definitive, these contextual factors can trigger skepticism over a guitar’s authenticity.
Ask for a Certificate of Authenticity
For very valuable vintage guitars like 60s Gibson Hummingbirds, a credible Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is vital. This is a document from a reputable vintage guitar auditor certifying the instrument’s age and authenticity.
Only accept COAs from well-known vintage associations like the Historic Guitar Authentication Service, Vintage Guitar Authentics, and the Guitar Foundation of America. Treat self-made COAs as worthless.
If a seller won’t provide a credible third-party COA, be very wary.
Get an Expert Appraisal
If you still have doubts after inspecting the guitar extensively yourself, seek professional help. Take or send high resolution photos to respected vintage dealers or luthiers. They can analyze the photos to spot inconsistencies.
Finding someone who knows 60s Gibson building techniques in detail and has handled many vintage Hummingbirds before is key. Their expert eye can catch details amateurs may overlook. Expect to pay $50-$100 for this appraisal service but it’s worth the peace of mind.
In some cases, an in-hand appraisal may be recommended to inspect the guitar up close. This will carry a higher cost but provides the most thorough authentication.
Check Online Communities
If you discover a serial number, ask about it in communities like the Gibson Forum, MyLesPaul Forums, and the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum. Members often have extensive knowledge of Gibson numbering schemes and can help confirm if a serial number aligns with a real 1960s Hummingbird.
Just take confirmation from forums with a grain of salt, as anonymity means anyone can claim to be an expert.
Perform Due Diligence On Past Owners
Try researching the guitar’s previous owners as well. See if any past owners are known as trustworthy vintage collectors or if their collections have been previously featured in notable publications. This builds more confidence in the instrument’s legitimacy.
See if you can find any old photos featuring the guitar as well, which helps trace its history.
If the seller can’t provide concrete history on past owners, be wary.
Conclusion
Vetting any vintage guitar requires detective work, and 60s Gibson Hummingbirds are prized enough to attract forgeries. While the above steps take effort, they are worthwhile to protect against expensive fraud.
Thoroughly inspecting the guitar and tracing its ownership history can weed out all but the most skilled fakes. If doubts still linger, enlist professional help from vintage dealers and luthiers.
Taking your time is key, as forgers exploit overeager buyers caught up in the thrill of finding a rare Hummingbird. With patience and healthy skepticism, collectors can confidently land authentic pieces of history like the iconic Gibson Hummingbird.
