The Gibson Hummingbird is one of the most iconic and popular 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 guitar so well-loved and sought after? There are several key reasons why the Gibson Hummingbird resonates with so many players.
Unique and Eye-Catching Design
One of the most immediately recognizable features of the Hummingbird is its visual aesthetic. The guitar has a square shoulder dreadnought body shape with a rich tobacco sunburst finish and a pickguard decorated with a hummingbird motif. This ornate pickguard is what gave the model its name. The Hummingbird also typically features a spruce top with mahogany back and sides, a rosette around the soundhole, and binding along the body and neck. It is truly a gorgeous instrument to look at. Many guitarists are drawn in by the Hummingbird’s one-of-a-kind appearance before they ever pluck a single note.
Full, Rich Tone
The other key ingredient to the Hummingbird’s popularity is its sound. The guitar’s tonewood combination produces a robust, well-balanced sound across the tonal spectrum. The mahogany body adds depth and richness to the Hummingbird’s voice. It has pleasing low end, excellent projection, and shimmering highs. Strummed rhythm parts ring out with clarity while single-note melodies sing with nuance. The Hummingbird is an extremely flexible guitar that can fit in across musical genres from rock to folk to country. Players also appreciate the guitar’s excellent sustain and resonant bass tones.
Playability and Craftsmanship
Gibson has always maintained a reputation for high standards of workmanship, and the Hummingbird delivers a comfortable and responsive playing experience. It has a slim, fast maple neck with a smooth rosewood fretboard. The neck profile facilitates intricate chords and lead playing while still being accessible for strumming. The guitar also benefits from Gibson’s Plek machine processing for precise and consistent fret work. Simply put, the Hummingbird feels fantastic to play. It responds seamlessly to the player’s touch.
History of the Gibson Hummingbird
Let’s take a deeper look into the origins and history of this iconic guitar.
Development in the Late 1950s
The Hummingbird took shape in Gibson’s Kalamazoo, Michigan factory in the late 1950s. At the time it was one of several new square-shoulder dreadnought models introduced to compete with popular guitars like the Martin D-28. The first Hummingbirds were produced in 1959. Like many Gibsons of the era, early Hummingbirds featured thicker neck profiles than modern versions. Still the core design elements like the decorative pickguard and tobacco sunburst finish were there from the beginning.
Rise of Popularity in the 1960s
The Hummingbird rapidly gained popularity with musicians in the folk revival and early rock eras of the 1960s. The bold visual style and strong projection perfectly suited the needs of guitarists looking to stand out both visually and sonically. Icons like Keith Richards and Gram Parsons started playing Hummingbirds and raised the model’s profile significantly. As demand grew, Gibson’s production capacity strained to keep up. The Hummingbird’s popularity necessitated several design tweaks over the following decades to keep the guitar accessible for Gibson to produce in bulk.
Legacy Models and Variants
Today the Hummingbird is a fixture of the Gibson lineup found in guitar stores around the world. It remains in continuous production as a Gibson original model. There have also been several limited edition Hummingbird releases over the years featuring alternative woods and high-end appointments. Models like the Hummingbird True Vintage aim for period-accurate design details. The Hummingbird also spawned artist signature models for influential players like Sheryl Crow and the Eagles’ Joe Walsh.
Who Plays the Gibson Hummingbird?
One mark of a truly iconic guitar is the range of musicians who choose to play it. The Hummingbird has been used by diverse and celebrated players across all styles of music.
Folk and Country Artists
The Hummingbird’s big rich voice originally appealed to folk and country players looking to be heard over loud bands. Guitarists like Keith Richards used it to cut through electric blues groups while ex-Byrd Gene Clark relied on its spike for intimate folk-rock recording sessions. Today it remains a favorite of folk revival artists like Old Crow Medicine Show. On the country side, the Hummingbird characterizes the Nashville sound of artists from Glen Campbell to Vince Gill.
Rock Legends
Influential rock guitarists quickly took to the Hummingbird’s attitude and versatility. From Roger McGuinn of The Byrds to Mick Taylor of the Rolling Stones, the Hummingbird gave rock rhythm players a new tool. The thick low-end sits perfectly in a rock mix. As rock grew more adventurous moving into the 1970s, creative players like Emitt Rhodes and Gram Parsons proved the Hummingbird could handle anything from psychedelic country to sparkling pop-rock.
Modern Stars
Many contemporary musicians continue to keep the Hummingbird relevant. Acts like Sheryl Crow and the Dave Matthews Band feature the guitar prominently. The Hummingbird also makes occasional appearances across genre boundaries from blues artist Keb Mo to indie favorite Conor Oberst to jazz guitarist Pat Martino. The Hummingbird remains a versatile inspiration and compositional tool attractive to all types of artists.
Gibson Hummingbird Models and Specs
There have been many variants of the Hummingbird since its introduction in 1960. Let’s survey some of the most notable models and specifications.
| Model | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Gibson Hummingbird Standard | – Sitka Spruce top – Mahogany back and sides – Rosewood fretboard – Decorative pickguard – Tobacco sunburst finish |
| Gibson Hummingbird Modern | – Lighter design – Thinner neck profile – Laminated maple back |
| Gibson Hummingbird Studio | – More affordable model – Maple top – Unbound fretboard |
| Gibson Hummingbird True Vintage | – Authentic vintage design – Hide-glue contruction – “Double ring” rosette |
There have also been special limited edition Hummingbirds with Cocobolo back and sides, AA figured maple back and sides, customized ornamentation, and more. While specs vary across eras, the traditional Hummingbird formula of a square-shoulder dreadnought, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, decorated pickguard, and tobacco sunburst remains iconic.
Conclusion
The Gibson Hummingbird has earned its status as one of the most beloved and recognizable acoustic guitars ever produced. For over 60 years it has captivated players with its visual flair, inspiring voice, and responsive playability. The Hummingbird continues to feel at home in all musical settings from the studio to the stage. Past and present, this square-shouldered dreadnought gives guitarists an excellent creative tool loaded with character. For these reasons and more, the Gibson Hummingbird remains a dream guitar for many players across generations. Its place in music history is assured thanks to its unforgettable voice that helped define the sound of modern American music.
