Who made the original Hummingbird guitar?

The original Hummingbird guitar was designed and built by the Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1960. Gibson is an iconic American guitar brand with a long history dating back to 1894 when Orville Gibson began making instruments in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Hummingbird was one of several acclaimed acoustic guitar models introduced by Gibson in the early 1960s, including the J-45 and the Dove. With its decorative pickguard and unique Hummingbird motif, the Hummingbird stood out for its ornate visual style and full, rounded tone.

The Origins of the Hummingbird Model

The Hummingbird was conceived in 1960 by Gibson employee Bill Porter as an evolution of Gibson’s earlier square-shouldered dreadnought models like the J-45. Porter came up with the idea of crafting a guitar with a slightly different shape, more curved shoulders and a longer bottom bout to further enhance the projection and voice of the instrument. This design required reinforcing the sides and back of the guitar to prevent warping. Porter also devised the Hummingbird’s distinctive double parallelogram pickguard and decorated it with a Hummingbird motif done in abalone and mother-of-pearl. This sort of ornate visual style was uncommon for Gibson at the time, but it helped the new model stand out.

Gibson debuted the Hummingbird in 1960 as an upscale model aimed at professional musicians. The first Hummingbird guitars were made at the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan by the skilled luthiers that crafted all American-made Gibsons at the time. Gibson produced both six-string and twelve-string versions of the Hummingbird, introducing the jumbo-sized dreadnought as their first square-shouldered twelve-string.

Specifications of the Early Hummingbirds

The original Hummingbirds from 1960 and 1961 featured solid Sitka spruce tops, hand-scallopedSitka spruce bracing, and mahogany back and sides, similar to other Gibson dreadnoughts of the era. The rosewood fretboard had distinctive block mother-of-pearl inlays and the neck joined the body at the 14th fret. These early Hummingbirds had a 24.75″ scale length and 1.725″ nut width, with a belled edge on the treble side of the fretboard to accommodate intricate solos. The ornate pickguard was decorated with a colorful Hummingbird motif with abalone body outlines, mother-of-pearl wing patterns, and a flower/vine design along the edges. Gold Grover Rotomatic tuners with white plastic buttons graced the headstock. The rich sunburst finish highlighted the beauty of the mahogany grain.

Evolution of the Hummingbird in the 1960s

Gibson continued improving the Hummingbird throughout the 1960s, fine-tuning the design based on input from professional guitarists. In 1962, the neck width increased slightly to 1.75″ and the fretboard radius flattened out to a more modern 16″. The following year, Gibson swapped the original adjustable bridge saddle for a wider fixed saddle to enhance sustain and tone. By 1964, Gibson had introduced the Square Shoulders Dreadnought, an updated body shape for the Hummingbird with slightly different proportions that increased projection. Other periodic specification tweaks throughout the ’60s included a switch to a two-piece mahogany back in 1968 and an adjustable steel pivot bridge in 1969. Despite these minor changes, the core aesthetics and tonewood combination of the Hummingbird remained consistent.

Growth in Popularity

As the folk music boom took off in the early 1960s, the Hummingbird became popular among leading artists like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, and more. Its full low-end punch and balanced tone across the frequency spectrum made it an ideal rhythm guitar for folk-rock. In 1965, the Byrds’ Roger McGuinn started playing a Gibson 12-string acoustic on hits like “Mr. Tambourine Man”, influencing popular demand for the 12-string Hummingbird. Country artists like Gram Parsons also contributed to the appeal. By the late 1960s, the Hummingbird had cemented its reputation as one of Gibson’s most esteemed acoustic models.

The Team Behind the Original Hummingbirds

Creating the iconic Hummingbird guitar took contributions from many expert luthiers, designers, and technicians at Gibson:

Bill Porter

Gibson employee Bill Porter was the driving force behind the Hummingbird design, conceiving the idea in 1960 and working closely with Gibson president Ted McCarty to bring it to fruition. Porter started at Gibson in 1948 as a bench technician and eventually became head of the guitars R&D department.

Bob Benedetto

Benedetto was one of Gibson’s master luthiers in the late 1950s and likely had a major role in constructing the first Hummingbird prototypes. His background was in violin and mandolin making.

Wilbur Fuller

Fuller took over supervision of Gibson’s acoustic guitar division in 1958 after Benedetto’s departure. He presumably managed manufacturing for the initial Hummingbird production runs.

Ren Ferguson

Ferguson began working at Gibson in 1959 and was soon promoted to final assembly and finish work on high-end models like the Hummingbird.

Other Key Contributors

In addition to these central figures, there were many other skilled luthiers, woodworkers, and technicians involved in Hummingbird production through the 1960s, including Peter Alsberge, Jim Deurloo, Dick Doty, Jim Fulton, and many more anonymous craftspeople. The origin of the Hummingbird was truly a team effort drawing on Gibson’s seasoned acoustic guitar building expertise.

Hummingbird Wood Selection and Construction

Central to the Hummingbird’s full-bodied tone was Gibson’s meticulous wood selection and hand-crafted construction methods:

Sitka Spruce Tops

The tops were made from solid Sitka spruce chosen for its strength, balanced tone, and ability to age well. The spruce came from the remote forests of Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory via suppliers like Grossman’s Guitar Woods.

Mahogany Back and Sides

The backs and sides were made from solid Honduran mahogany, prized for its density, resonance, and rich color. Gibson sourced this tonewood through companies like Neal & Massey.

Neck and Fretboard

The necks featured mahogany with a rosewood fretboard and mother-of-pearl block inlays. The fretboards had a 24.75″ scale.

Bracing and Assembly

The hand-scalloped bracing was crafted from spruce for optimal resonance. Gibson’s luthiers carefully assembled the Hummingbirds by hand from these premium tonewoods using hide glue.

Finishing

Multiple thin coats of nitrocellulose lacquer were applied for a glossy finish that enhanced the wood’s beauty. The sunburst and pickguard decorations were also hand-painted.

Gibson’s skill in selecting excellent raw materials and meticulously constructing the Hummingbird by hand contributed greatly to its legendary tone and aesthetics.

The Hummingbird in the 1970s and Beyond

While the original 1960 Hummingbird set the standard, Gibson continued evolving the model over the following decades:

Models and Spec Changes in the 1970s

• 1976 – Introduced the Hummingbird Artist with upgraded specs aimed at star guitarists
• 1978 – Redesigned the Hummingbird with a tapered headstock and redesigned pickguard
• Switched to a 3-piece maple back for increased strength and projection

New Models and Construction Shifts in the 1980s-2000s

• 1986 – Hummingbird Standard model introduced at lower price point
• 2002 – Began using laminated wood backs on some models
• 2006 – Celebrity artist models launched (e.g. Sheryl Crow)
• 2011 – Hummingbird Pro with L.R. Baggs electronics released

While later generations moved away from all solid-wood construction, the heritage of Bill Porter’s original 1960 Hummingbird still resonated.

Collectability and Value of Vintage Hummingbirds Today

Thanks to their historic status and full-bodied tone, original Hummingbirds from the 1960s have become highly coveted on the vintage guitar market:

• Mint condition 1960 Hummingbirds can fetch over $20,000 at auction
• Rarity factors like custom colors and 12-string models command higher prices
• Most collectible are 1964-1969 models with the squared fretboard and pickguard
• Condition, paperwork/provenance, and celebrity ownership also affect value

While not cheap, vintage Hummingbirds remain reasonable compared to the high prices of pre-WWII martin and Gibson acoustics. Their quality construction and full sound continue appealing to musicians and collectors alike over 60 years later.

Conclusion

The original 1960 Gibson Hummingbird stands out not just for its unique visual flair, but also its pivotal role in Gibson’s acoustic evolution. Blending vintage hand-crafted quality with a contemporary jumbo voice, the Hummingbird was a breakthrough that helped define Gibson’s acoustic identity. The model also contributed to 1960s music history through its usage by stars across multiple genres. Thanks to its enduring appeal, the Hummingbird remains a prized part of Gibson’s acoustic legacy. While many designers and luthiers had a hand in the Hummingbird’s genesis, Bill Porter’s vision set the stage for an instrument now regarded as a classic. After over six decades, early Hummingbirds still captivate players and collectors as emblems of Gibson’s acoustic craftsmanship during its golden era.