The Gibson Hummingbird is an acoustic guitar model produced by Gibson Guitar Corporation. It was first introduced in 1960 and has remained in production ever since. The Hummingbird is known for its square shoulders, nickel tuning machines, and heritage cherry sunburst finish.
Quick Answer
No, the Gibson Hummingbird is not an electric acoustic guitar. It is an entirely acoustic guitar without any electric pickups or other electronics. The Gibson Hummingbird is a high-end acoustic dreadnought guitar prized for its full, rich tone.
What is the Gibson Hummingbird?
The Gibson Hummingbird is a square-shouldered dreadnought acoustic guitar made by Gibson Guitar Corporation. It was first released in 1960 and quickly became one of Gibson’s most popular and recognizable acoustic models. Some key features of the Hummingbird include:
- Square shoulder dreadnought body style
- Solid spruce top
- Mahogany back and sides
- Rosewood fretboard and bridge
- Nickel open-back tuning machines
- 25.5″ scale length
- 1.725″ nut width
- Heritage cherry sunburst finish (other finishes available)
The square shoulder dreadnought body yields a deep, booming bass and strong projection balanced by clear, articulate trebles. The solid spruce top is responsive while the mahogany back and sides provide warmth and sweetness. Advanced construction techniques and high-quality materials make the Hummingbird very resonant and voiced for a lush, full sound.
History of the Hummingbird
The Hummingbird was first conceived in 1960 by Gibson luthier Roger Rossmeisl. Folk music was surging in popularity at the time and Rossmeisl wanted to create a distinctive square-shouldered dreadnought to capitalize on this trend. The resulting Hummingbird model was immediately successful.
Early models were simply called “Gibson Folk Guitars” before adopting the Hummingbird name in 1962. The name was chosen to reflect the guitar’s full, robust voice. The first Hummingbirds had a sunburst finish, which was changed to the iconic cherry sunburst in 1969.
Through various redesigns and iterations, Gibson has maintained the Hummingbird as an acclaimed acoustic model with many famous users including Keith Richards, Alex Lifeson, Gregg Allman, and many more.
Gibson Hummingbird Models and Variations
While the standard Gibson Hummingbird remains in production, Gibson has also introduced several variations over the years:
- Hummingbird Artist – More ornate appointments like abalone binding and mother-of-pearl fretboard inlays.
- Hummingbird Pro – Matte finish, L.R. Baggs pickup system.
- Hummingbird Studio – Gloss finish, simpler aesthetics, attractive price point.
- Hummingbird Custom – Upgraded woods and hand-scalloped bracing.
- Tim Shaw Hummingbird – Custom model designed with legendary pickup designer Tim Shaw.
There have also been special limited edition Hummingbirds made over the years featuring unique colors, inlays, and materials.
Basic Specs of the Gibson Hummingbird
Here are some key specifications for a standard Gibson Hummingbird acoustic guitar:
| Body | Square shoulder dreadnought |
|---|---|
| Top | Solid Sitka spruce |
| Back & Sides | Mahogany |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood |
| Scale length | 25.5″ |
| Nut width | 1.725″ |
| Hardware | Nickel |
The Sound of the Gibson Hummingbird
The Hummingbird is known for its deep, vibrant, and balanced tone. The square shoulder dreadnought body produces a powerful bass response and impressive projection. The spruce and mahogany tonewood combination creates a sound that is both bright and warm.
Players describe the Hummingbird tone as clear and ringing but with a thick, resonant growl. It handles a wide range of musical styles well and works great for strumming chords or picking melodies. The tone has lots of “bloom” and a pleasing acoustic overdrive when played hard. Gibson’s hand-scalloped X-bracing contributes to the Hummingbird’s complex and nuanced voice.
Does the Gibson Hummingbird Have Electronics?
The standard Gibson Hummingbird is an all-acoustic guitar with no onboard electronics or pickup system. However, Gibson does offer some Hummingbird models with electronics:
- Hummingbird Pro – Comes equipped with a L.R. Baggs VTC pickup system with an undersaddle transducer and soundhole mounted volume control.
- Hummingbird Studio – Some models have a Shadow eNanoFlex pickup system.
While not common, some players will modify their standard Hummingbirds by installing aftermarket pickups like those made by K&K Sound. This allows for plugging into an amplifier or PA system. But generally, the traditional Hummingbird is a purely acoustic instrument.
Alternatives to the Gibson Hummingbird
The Gibson Hummingbird resides at the high end of the acoustic guitar market. Some less expensive alternatives in a similar square-shouldered dreadnought vein include:
- Epiphone EJ-200
- Guild D-55
- Martin D-18
- Taylor 414ce
- Blueridge BR-160
The Epiphone EJ-200 is probably the closest direct alternative, aiming to reproduce the Gibson formula at a lower cost. The Guild D-55 also has a similar appointment-heavy aesthetic. The Martin D-18 is another excellent square-shouldered dreadnought. The Taylor 414ce brings more modern build techniques into the picture. And the Blueridge BR-160 provides an affordable take on a classic square-shouldered design.
Notable Gibson Hummingbird Players
The rich sound of the Gibson Hummingbird has appealed to famous guitarists across many different genres:
- Keith Richards – Rolling Stones guitarist, used a Hummingbird on many of the band’s 1960s and 70s era acoustic tracks.
- Alex Lifeson – Rush guitarist used a Hummingbird on songs like “Closer to the Heart.”
- Eric Clapton – Blues legend played a Hummingbird early in his career while with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers.
- Gregg Allman – Southern rock icon was a lifelong devotee of the Hummingbird’s warm sound.
- Emmylou Harris – Country songbird and multi-Grammy winner has strummed Hummingbirds throughout her career.
From rock gods to country crooners, the Gibson Hummingbird has been a fixture on stages worldwide since its introduction in the early 1960s. Its full-voiced tone works well in a band mix or for solo accompaniment. An iconic American acoustic!
Buying a Gibson Hummingbird Today
The Gibson Hummingbird remains an in-demand acoustic guitar model. Here is some guidance for anyone looking to purchase one today:
- Expect to pay $2,500 – $3,500 for a new Hummingbird at retail.
- Vintage 1960s and 70s models easily fetch $5,000 – $10,000 depending on condition.
- There are often good deals on used Hummingbirds around the $2,000 range.
- Watch out for fakes – verify serial numbers and small details.
- Try before you buy; every Hummingbird has a slightly unique voice.
- Factor in a pro setup; Hummingbirds benefit from proper neck relief and action.
The Gibson Hummingbird is a premier acoustic guitar model with a lush voice and distinctive aesthetic. Players and collectors consistently rank it among the very best square-shouldered dreadnoughts. For those seeking an exceptional all-around acoustic with plenty of history behind it, the Hummingbird delivers.
Conclusion
In summary, the Gibson Hummingbird is not an electric-acoustic guitar. It is an all-acoustic square-shouldered dreadnought renowned for its deep, robust voice. First introduced in the 1960s, the Hummingbird remains highly desirable decades later. With its solid spruce and mahogany construction, iconic cherry sunburst finish, and unmistakable tone, the Hummingbird has secured its place as one of the most popular acoustic guitars of all time.
