The Epiphone Hummingbird is a popular acoustic guitar model that has been played by many famous musicians over the years. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most well-known guitarists who have used Epiphone Hummingbirds throughout their careers.
Keith Richards
One of the most iconic Epiphone Hummingbird players is Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. He began using the Hummingbird in the late 1960s after being introduced to the guitar by fellow guitarist Ry Cooder. Richards played a 1959 Hummingbird on many of the Stones’ classic albums and tours during the late ’60s and ’70s. His exact Hummingbird guitar was later reproduced by Epiphone as a limited edition model.
Sheryl Crow
American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow is closely associated with the Epiphone Hummingbird. She’s played various customized Hummingbird models since the 1990s. Some key features of Crow’s Hummingbirds include the Tree of Life fingerboard inlay and her signature flower embroidery on the headstock. Crow has used her Hummingbird guitars extensively in the studio and on tour over the past few decades.
Noel Gallagher
As lead guitarist for British rock band Oasis, Noel Gallagher often played an Epiphone Hummingbird on stage and in the studio during the 1990s and 2000s. His particular Hummingbird was a 1966 model with a sunburst finish. Gallagher favored the warm, fuller sound of the Hummingbird over other acoustic models.
Emmylou Harris
Country and Americana artist Emmylou Harris has long been associated with the Epiphone Hummingbird. She’s released several live and studio albums over the years featuring her playing various custom and limited edition Hummingbird models. Harris appreciates the guitar for its loud volume, balanced tone across all six strings, and stylish decorative artwork on the pickguard.
Thom Yorke
Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke occasionally played an Epiphone Hummingbird during live performances in the 1990s and 2000s. His particular model was a red sunburst Hummingbird fitted with a Shadow pickup. Yorke liked the Hummingbird’s versatility, using it for both quiet acoustic material and louder, more aggressive rock songs in Radiohead’s diverse catalog.
Ryan Adams
Singer-songwriter Ryan Adams has recorded and toured extensively with Epiphone Hummingbird guitars. He often favors vintage 1960s era models. Adams appreciates the Hummingbird’s rich low end as well as the overall woodsy, earthy tone it produces. The guitar has been a staple of Adams’ live shows over the past couple decades when playing solo acoustic material.
Other Notable Players
Many other acclaimed musicians have been associated with the Epiphone Hummingbird over the decades:
- Bob Dylan
- Keith Urban
- Marcus Mumford
- Zac Brown
- Chris Stapleton
- John Denver
- Dwight Yoakam
- Eric Clapton
History of the Epiphone Hummingbird
Let’s take a quick look at the origins and evolution of this popular acoustic guitar model:
- 1959 – Gibson releases the Gibson Hummingbird guitar, an acoustic model with a cherry sunburst finish.
- 1962 – Epiphone starts producing its own version of the Hummingbird, with slight design and hardware differences from Gibson’s model.
- 1964 – Folk icon Bob Dylan plays an Epiphone Hummingbird on his album Another Side of Bob Dylan.
- 1970s – Popularity of the Hummingbird peaks as many rock and country musicians adopt the guitar.
- Today – Epiphone continues producing both vintage reissue and newer custom Hummingbird models played by musicians across genres.
What Makes the Epiphone Hummingbird Unique?
So what exactly gives the Epiphone Hummingbird its legendary warm, full-bodied tone that artists love?
- Solid spruce top – Provides excellent projection and volume.
- Mahogany back and sides – Gives the tone warmth and depth.
- Large body shape – Allows for loud volume without electronic amplification.
- Floating bridge – Contributes to increased sustain and resonance.
- Rosewood fretboard – Adds crispness and definition to the sound.
The combination of woods, construction style, and hardware design all contribute to giving the Hummingbird its iconic full, resonant, and balanced acoustic tone.
Popular Epiphone Hummingbird Models
Here’s an overview of some of the most popular Hummingbird models that musicians love:
Epiphone Hummingbird Vintage
- Recreation of 1959 original
- Cherry sunburst finish
- Spruce top, mahogany back and sides
- Rosewood bridge and fretboard
- 60s SlimTaper neck profile
Epiphone Hummingbird Artist
- Modeled after Emmylou Harris’ Hummingbird
- Square nick fretboard inlays
- Spruce top with mahogany back and sides
- Gold Grover Rotomatic tuners
- Bone nut and saddle
Epiphone Hummingbird PRO
- High-gloss shadowburst finish
- Solid spruce top
- Select mahogany back and sides
- Split parallelogram fingerboard inlays
- Epiphone PRO premium tuners
Epiphone Hummingbird Modern
- High-gloss faded cherry burst
- Solid spruce top with scalloped X-bracing
- Mahogany back and sides
- Rounded shoulder body shape
- Rosewood fingerboard with block Pearloid inlays
Conclusion
For over 60 years, the Epiphone Hummingbird has earned its reputation as one of the most versatile and best sounding acoustic guitars. Its alluring tone has appealed to legends like Keith Richards, Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, and many more. Today, musicians across genres continue to rely on the Hummingbird’s stylish visual design and unmatched acoustic qualities.
