Both the Epiphone hummingbird and dove pro are acclaimed acoustic guitars made by Epiphone, a subsidiary of Gibson. The hummingbird is inspired by the legendary Gibson Hummingbird, while the dove pro is an affordable version of the Gibson Dove. These two models have some key differences in their design, sound, playability and pricing. This article will examine these differences in depth to help buyers understand which model may be better suited for their needs.
History of the Epiphone Hummingbird and Dove Pro
The Gibson Hummingbird was first introduced in 1960 and quickly became popular for its bright, lush tone thanks to its large body size. Epiphone started producing its own version called the Epiphone Hummingbird in 2002 aimed at providing an affordable alternative. The hummingbird features a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, just like the Gibson model.
The Gibson Dove was launched in 1962 and was beloved for its elegant appearance and balanced sound. Epiphone launched the dove pro model in 1993 to bring a similar aesthetic and tone to players on a budget. It has a solid spruce top with maple back and sides.
Over the years, both the Epiphone hummingbird and dove pro have garnered excellent reputations as high-quality acoustic guitars with classic looks and sounds. Next we’ll get into the specific differences between the two models.
Body Shape and Size
The Epiphone hummingbird has a large dreadnought body shape that measures 16 inches across. The wider body produces a loud, booming voice-like tone. It also has a round shoulder shape that maximizes resonance. Overall, its size gives it a deep and expansive voice.
The dove pro has a smaller body depth at 4.75 inches compared to the hummingbird’s 5.5 inches. But it has the same 16 inch width. The dove pro has Epiphone’s dove style square shouldered shape. This makes it very comfortable to hold and play. The smaller body reduces boominess, making the tone more balanced across the frequency range.
So in summary, the hummingbird’s huge size gives it a powerful, bassy tone while the dove pro has a more controlled and balanced sound.
Top and Back Wood
Both models share the same solid Sitka spruce top wood. Spruce is light and responsive, allowing the guitars to produce bright treble tones with good volume. However, they differ in their back and side woods.
The back and sides of the hummingbird are made of mahogany. Mahogany adds warmth and sweetness to the tone. It also intensifies bass and midrange frequencies due to its density compared to spruce. Overall, the mahogany adds depth and richness to the hummingbird’s voice.
On the dove pro, the back and sides are made of maple. Maple has a focused, clean sound compared to mahogany. It brings tight bass response and shimmering highs. The maple construction makes the dove pro sound balanced across all frequencies, while still retaining complexity in the overtones.
Maple suits strumming and fingerpicking styles well, while mahogany brings out the best in aggressive flatpicking. So the dove pro is the better choice if you want an articulate sounding guitar for fingerstyle playing. The hummingbird shines when played with a pick.
Neck Profile
Both models have mahogany necks for smooth playability. However, there are some differences in the neck shape and profile.
The hummingbird has a 1960s SlimTaper neck shape. This has a very comfortable and playable soft V shape. The nut width of 1.68 inches provides ample room for fingerstyle players. Beginners will also find the slim neck very easy to hold and maneuver up and down the fretboard.
The dove pro has a more modern Performer PB neck profile. This shape has a rounder C profile that sits snug in the player’s hand. It has a nut width of 1.725 inches, so slightly wider than the hummingbird. The chunkier profile offers a solid feel and excellent grip for flatpickers and aggressive strummers.
So the hummingbird again caters well to fingerstylists, while the dove pro is ideal for pick players who want a sturdy grip on the neck.
Electronics
The Epiphone hummingbird is an acoustic-electric model, meaning it has built-in pickups and preamp electronics. It uses Epiphone’s eSonic2 preamp system with a Nanoflex pickup located under the saddle.
There are volume and tone control knobs located on the upper bout. These let you sculpt your amplified tone by adjusting bass and treble frequencies. The onboard preamp includes a tuner and Phase switch too.
Meanwhile, the dove pro is an entirely acoustic guitar without any pickups or electronics. So it’s strictly an acoustic instrument not meant for plugging into an amplifier or PA system.
The hummingbird is the better choice if you want to be able to amplify your sound for live performances or recordings. But the dove pro may suit players who solely intend to play the guitar acoustically without amplification needs.
Hardware
Both models feature high quality hardware that looks elegant and functions reliably. This includes chrome tuners, basic plastic nuts and straight Epiphone bridge pins.
The hummingbird stands out with its decorative pickguard featuring a vintage style Hummingbird graphic. This iconic design element adds to the Hummingbird’s unique old-school flair.
The dove pro has a more understated look with no pickguard and simple rosette rings. For players who want a stylish but not over-the-top ornamented appearance, the dove pro has a refined aesthetic.
One other hardware difference is the hummingbird has a rosewood bridge while the dove pro has maple. The rosewood adds to the bass response on the hummingbird. Both are quality tonewoods for bridge material.
Sound Comparison
Now let’s summarize the tonal qualities of each model:
– The Epiphone Hummingbird has a loud, deep and booming voice. The large body paired with mahogany back and sides makes it very bassy and muscular sounding. It has lots of volume suitable for aggressive strumming and flatpicking. The tone is warm and full.
– The Epiphone Dove Pro has a more balanced tonal response across the frequency spectrum. The maple body prevents it from getting too boomy on the low end. It has bright highs with articulate bass and nice sustain. The voice is clear and projects very well.
– For players who want a big, bold acoustic tone the hummingbird excels. Singer-songwriters who need a loud yet warm accompaniment guitar will love it.
– Fingerstyle players who want note definition for complex playing benefit more from the dove pro’s clear and balanced voice. The maple provides the perfect amount of bass without muddiness.
Playability Comparison
Here is how the playability characteristics stack up:
– The Hummingbird’s round shoulder dreadnought shape fits comfortably against the body when playing seated. The slim 1960’s neck profile is great for chording and fast soloing.
– The Dove Pro’s square shoulder body isn’t quite as ergonomic but still very comfortable. The chunky C-shaped neck allows for a solid grip ideal for flatpicking.
– The Hummingbird nut width of 1.68″ works well for fingerstylists, while the Dove Pro’s 1.725″ width gives pick players more space.
– The lack of electronics on the Dove Pro makes it a strictly acoustic guitar. Players wanting to plug-in should get the acoustic-electric Hummingbird.
– Both models have excellent build quality and playability right out of the box after a quick setup. They are crafted from all solid tonewoods.
So the Hummingbird excels for fingerpickers and rhythm players, while the Dove Pro is better optimized for flatpicking solos. But both offer superb playability for the price.
Price Comparison
The Epiphone Hummingbird has a MAP price of $549.
The Epiphone Dove Pro has a lower MAP price of $499.
So the Dove Pro costs around $50 less than the Hummingbird. This smaller price makes it one of the best value all-solid wood acoustics on the market under $500. Between these two models, the Dove Pro is the better value purchase for players on a tight budget. But the quality of the Hummingbird makes it worth the extra money if you prefer its sound.
Style Differences
Visually, the Hummingbird has a more ornate and vintage look with its pickguard logo, body binding and checkerboard rosette. It comes in cherry, natural and vintage sunburst finishes.
The Dove Pro has a simpler and more elegant appearance with its dove-wing headstock, block fingerboard inlays and single-ring rosette. It is available in attractive blue dove and faded cherry burst colors.
Both models are beautiful instruments. The Hummingbird leans into a retro, country vibe. The Dove Pro offers a refined and minimalist aesthetic. This factor mainly comes down to player preference.
Conclusion
In summary, the Epiphone Hummingbird and Epiphone Dove Pro offer two excellent but distinct acoustic guitar options in the sub-$500 price tier:
– The mahogany Hummingbird provides a booming, bassy and loud voice perfect for strummers. Its vintage style stands out too.
– The maple Dove Pro has a balanced, clear tone ideal for fingerpickers. It has a simpler and more elegant look.
– For players wanting Electronics, the acoustic-electric Hummingbird is the way to go. The Dove Pro is acoustic only.
– While the Hummingbird costs around $50 more, the all-solid wood Dove Pro is the best value model. But the Hummingbird justifies its price with outstanding quality.
So choose the Hummingbird if you want a bold, deep voice and retro aesthetics. But opt for the Dove Pro if clear tone, articulate playability and refined style appeal more. Either way, these Epiphone acoustics present incredible quality and value in their price range.
