The Gibson Hummingbird is one of the most iconic acoustic guitars ever made. First introduced in 1960, the Hummingbird has been played by countless musicians over the past six decades. But what exactly makes this model so special and sought-after? Here we’ll take a closer look at the history, design, sound, and legacy of this legendary instrument.
History of the Gibson Hummingbird
The Hummingbird was first conceived in 1960 by Gibson luthier Ted McCarty. McCarty wanted to create a new dreadnought guitar model that could compete with popular guitars from Martin and other manufacturers. After extensive research and design work, the first Hummingbird guitars rolled off Gibson’s production lines in Michigan in 1960.
The original Hummingbirds featured solid Sitka spruce tops, mahogany backs and sides, and maple necks. The earliest models had a natural finish which emphasized the figuring in the mahogany. One of the most distinctive features was the pickguard decorated with a hummingbird motif, which gave the guitar its name.
The Hummingbird was an immediate hit with players and began to be used by many prominent guitarists in the ’60s folk and rock scenes. Famous early proponents included Keith Richards and John Lennon of the Beatles, who played Hummingbirds during the band’s later career. As the Hummingbird’s popularity grew, Gibson introduced sunburst finishes and continually made small improvements to the guitar’s design and electronics.
Over the decades since its introduction, the basic formula of the Hummingbird hasn’t changed much. Gibson has offered many variations on the original design, including more ornate versions with abalone binding and engraved pickguards. But the fundamental tonewoods and body shape remain very faithful to Ted McCarty’s 1960 creation.
Design and Construction
The Hummingbird is based on Gibson’s classic dreadnought body style, which was first developed in the early 20th century. The defining feature of a dreadnought is its large body size, with a wide lower bout and sweeping shoulders. This provides powerful low-end punch and great overall projection. The Hummingbird has one of the biggest bodies of any flat-top acoustic guitar.
Most Hummingbirds are constructed with a solid Sitka spruce top. Sitka spruce is a tonewood that provides excellent resonance, dynamic range, and volume. The most desirable tops have nice even grain patterns without irregularities. Below the spruce is an “X”-pattern bracing that gives the top strength and allows it to vibrate freely.
The back and sides of the Hummingbird are usually made from mahogany. Mahogany has a balanced tone that emphasizes the midrange. It also adds a touch of compression and natural reverb. Alternate woods like maple or rosewood are sometimes used, but mahogany remains the most popular choice.
The neck of the Hummingbird is also typically mahogany, topped with a rosewood fretboard. Rosewood has a bright, crisp tone that contrasts nicely with the mahogany. Most Hummingbirds have 20 frets and come in Gibson’s rounded “C” neck profile that fits comfortably in the hand.
High-end models feature attractive visual appointments like multi-ply bindings, pearl inlays, and engraved pickguards. But even the plainer Hummingbirds have an understated elegance. The simplicity of the materials allows the natural beauty of the wood grains to shine through.
Standard Specifications
| Top | Solid Sitka Spruce |
|---|---|
| Back & Sides | Mahogany |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood |
| Scale Length | 25.5″ |
| Nut Width | 1.725″ |
| Frets | 20 |
Sound and Tone
The combination of woods and body size gives the Hummingbird a very balanced sound across the tonal spectrum. The spruce and mahogany generate good volume and projection that allow the guitar to cut through a mix. There is also excellent warmth and low midrange emphasis from the mahogany. Treble tones come through with clarity and definition.
Strummed rhythm parts sound huge and opulent when played on a Hummingbird. There is lots of bass punch coupled with sparkling highs. Fingerstyle playing is also very full and lush. Notes sustain beautifully, and there is a pleasing reverberation. The tone has just enough compression so it never gets harsh or brittle when played hard.
The Hummingbird has enough power to hold its own against other instruments. The large dreadnought body produces plenty of volume when you need to take a guitar solo. But it’s not so overpowering that the Hummingbird can’t be used for more delicate fingerpicking. Overall it’s a very versatile guitar that adapts well to different playing styles.
Legacy and Influence
The appealing sound of the Hummingbird helped launch the guitar to almost instant popularity in the 1960s. And it has remained one of Gibson’s most renowned and best-selling acoustic models over the decades since. It has been continuously in production since 1960 with only minor periodic changes.
The Hummingbird has been used by iconic musicians like Keith Richards, John Lennon, Noel Gallagher of Oasis, Sheryl Crow, and many others. It became known as a rock guitar, but sounds equally at home with folk, blues, country and other genres.
Gibson has produced a number of special run Hummingbirds over the years with different aesthetic treatments. These include models with elaborate abalone bindings, engraved pickguards, and custom visual themes. Models made using tonewoods like koa and maple have also been offered. Uniquely figured or flamed maple Hummingbirds are especially prized.
The Hummingbird has inspired a number of other dreadnought and square-shoulder acoustic guitars by Gibson and other brands. It established the template of the modern acoustic guitar shaped by rock music. The Hummingbird remains highly influential and still defines the iconic Gibson acoustic sound.
Price and Availability
New Hummingbirds range in price from about $2,500 to $5,000 at major retailers. Hand-selected premium woods and ornamentation increase the cost of upper-end models. Vintage Hummingbirds from the 1960s and 70s can easily fetch over $10,000 in the guitar collector market if they are in good condition.
The Hummingbird line is extensive. As well as the classic dreadnought, Gibson offers “square shoulder” dreadnought, mini-hummingbird, and Hummingbird 12-string models. There are also Hummingbirds with electronics for plugging into amplifiers. So there are many options at various price points.
The Gibson Hummingbird remains immensely popular. It can be found at any major guitar retailer, either in stores or readily available online. Even during periods where availability of other Gibson acoustics has been limited, the classic mahogany Hummingbird has remained in continuous production.
How to Choose a Gibson Hummingbird
If you have the budget, buying a Hummingbird is hard to go wrong given their consistently excellent quality. However, there are still factors to consider when choosing an individual guitar.
Body Style
The original square-shoulder dreadnought style offers the most balanced Hummingbird sound and is the most sought-after. But the round-shoulder dreadnought and “Hummingbird Artist” models offer a punchier bass and midrange response. The mini-Hummingbird has a bright, focused tone perfect for fingerstyle.
Electronics
Most Hummingbirds are non-cutaway acoustic guitars without pickups or preamps. But models fitted with undersaddle piezo pickups and preamp systems are also available. These allow you to plug into an amplifier or PA system while retaining the Hummingbird’s authentic acoustic tone.
Woods
The most typical wood spec of a spruce top with mahogany back and sides provides the quintessential Hummingbird sound. However, maple and rosewood variants will offer increased brightness and overtones. Visually stunning flamed and figured maple Hummingbirds are available at a premium.
Ornamentation
Fancy extras like pearl inlays and engraved pickguards escalate the cost but don’t necessarily affect the tone. Opt for plainer appointments if your priority is getting classic Hummingbird sound for less. But the ornamented models do look beautiful!
Alternatives to the Gibson Hummingbird
The Hummingbird is a benchmark acoustic dreadnought, but not the only excellent option in its class. Here are two alternatives that offer similar qualities with their own unique tones.
Martin D-18
Like the Hummingbird, the Martin D-18 combines a spruce top with mahogany back and sides. Its tone profile emphasizes the midrange, with excellent warmth and presence. The D-18 excels at singing lead lines and has outstanding balance.
Taylor 414ce
Taylor’s 400 series provides an excellent balance of playability, tone and affordability. The 414ce has a bright, crisp sound thanks to its rosewood back and sides paired with a spruce top. It’s an especially good choice for fingerstyle players.
Pros and Cons of the Gibson Hummingbird
Here are some key advantages and potential drawbacks to consider if you’re thinking of purchasing a Hummingbird acoustic guitar:
Pros
- Iconic dreadnought acoustic tone
- Balanced sound across all registers
- Versatile for many playing styles and genres
- Timeless and iconic visual style
- Mahogany adds pleasing warmth and compression
Cons
- Large body not ideal for smaller players
- Not as affordable as some other acoustic options
- Rounded fretboard radius not ideal for intricate fingerstyle
- Lacks cutaway for upper fret access
- Few finish options beyond natural and sunburst
Conclusion
The Gibson Hummingbird is without a doubt one of the most cherished and respected acoustic guitars ever produced. Its big dreadnought body pumps out warm, balanced tone that makes just about any playing style sound incredible. The mahogany and spruce tonewood combination gives it a universally appealing voice.
Introduced in 1960, the Hummingbird helped pioneer the dreadnought as the modern acoustic guitar of choice. Its elegant yet simple look perfectly complements its rich sound. This is an especially good guitar for strumming chords or singing melodies, but it also excels at fingerstyle. There are good reasons why so many top players have relied on the Hummingbird over the past six decades.
Given its prestigious reputation, the Gibson Hummingbird doesn’t come cheap. But serious players find the investment well worthwhile. Each Hummingbird has a degree of hand-crafted artistry from Gibson’s luthiers in Michigan. With the right care and maintenance, a Hummingbird will provide many years of world-class sound.
