Gibson Hummingbirds not as Popular as other Mahogany Guitars

[sprucedup]

I really do like the aesthetics of the bird, but all of the ones I've played in recent years seemed like they were seriously overbuilt.

One key thing about the bird is that it's short scale, so it's pretty different in that sense vs. the D-18 or most other dreadnoughts in the market.

[Guitar1083]

Originally Posted by GuitarLight

Gibsons final attitude is simply "Take it or leave it." ....Some people are now leaving it.

This is just how I feel. It really makes me sad, that they don't care about the voice of the people.

[SalFromChatham]

The arguments I hear sometimes are borderline absurd. Martin sells more D18s alone than Gibson sells acoustics in general. Which one is more popular? What's more popular on the road... Honda Accord or Volvo T60?

And with regard to cost, Martin is a much higher volume machined and efficient factory. Bozemon is completely hand-built. Does it surprise you that a new D18 is $2,000 and a new Bird is $2,500?

I forgot to read the part about guitar ownership that says a guitar should cost the sum of its parts +10% profit...

Play them both. They play and sound so differently. I owned two D18s, and I hope to own a Bird one day... They are both awesome guitars. Play them and buy the one you want to. Musical instruments are very personal.

But please enough with the how dare Gibson charge X for their guitars.

While we are at it, how dare Collings charge more than Martin? How Dare Santa Cruz charge more than Gibson? How dare Taylor charge more than Gibson?

[GibbyPrague]

The Hummingbird has a very, very specific tone, and its unlike any other guitar tone out there. Hence many will reject it simply because its different from what they are used to.
However the more astute ears will hear the velvet or nectar like tone that is so unique to the Hummingbird. Its probably one of the greatest strummers ever made and superb for folky fingerpicking, however certainly not as versatile as a J-45 or D-18, however it never was intended to be that in the first place.

I also will say that the current Hummingbird Modern Classics or Standards do sound disappointing and rather mediocre, but the True Vintage models are exeptional and in a completely different league.

[Guitar1083]

Originally Posted by GibbyPrague

The Hummingbird has a very, very specific tone, and its unlike any other guitar tone out there. Hence many will reject it simply because its different from what they are used to.

I always thought of it being the most used mahogany guitar, when i watch tv and they are playing live most of the time they are using a hummingbird.

[GibbyPrague]

Originally Posted by Guitar1083

I always thought of it being the most used mahogany guitar, when i watch tv and they are playing live most of the time they are using a hummingbird.

I bet you will not be able to name more than 5 artists that use or have used a Hummingbird.

They are actually seldom used by well known artists or guitarists.

[Teleman52]

Originally Posted by themissal

The arguments I hear sometimes are borderline absurd. Martin sells more D18s alone than Gibson sells acoustics in general

Is that really true? Doesn't sound right to me, that would be very surprising

[Greg Rappleye]

I have a Hummingbird and very much like it.



Greg Rappleye

[StevenFord0]

I would say you don't see that many due to the price tag.
I remember when used ones were all over the place for $400.
Yes, I've been around for a while!

[LindaW]

Originally Posted by inadu ridge

Not all of them. From '61 until mid 65' they had 1 11/16" nut with a more substantial carve. Then from mid '65 onward they did indeed go to a narrower nut (somewhere around 1 9/16") and skinnier neck. Some people really like the pencil necks, myself included.

I have a '68. I like the neck quite a bit. My small hands don't tire.

[JMW01]

Originally Posted by GibbyPrague

I bet you will not be able to name more than 5 artists that use or have used a Hummingbird.

They are actually seldom used by well known artists or guitarists.

Lenny Kravitz
Keith Richards
Sheryl Crow
John Mellencamp
John Hiatt
Gary Clark Jr.
KT Tunsil
Jimmy Paige
June Carter Cash
Miranda Lambert
John McLaughlin
Janis Joplin
Michelle Branch
Kari Jobe
Tim Christensen
Carlene Carter
James Morrison
Kirk Douglas (The Roots)
Grace Potter
Scott Tournet (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals)
Thom Yorke (Radiohead)
Eric Church
Gordy Quist & Ed Jurdi (Band of Heathens)
Black Crowes
Tom Petty (sometimes)
Alice In Chains
Justin Bieber

[LindaW]

I love the woody tone and it's definitely easy to accompany vocally. I really enjoy playing mine

[Guitar1083]

Originally Posted by Greg Rappleye

I have a Hummingbird and very much like it.



Greg Rappleye

I'm watching The Oscars tonight and if they have an acoustic on stage i bet it will be a Hummingbird

[Greg Rappleye]

If only Gram Parsons were alive and playing tonight.



Greg Rappleye

[swsman]

My local store - House of Guitars - has a 2008 Hummingbird in stock. It is a very nice example of the Gibson brand - warm and woody sounding, very strong bottom end. However this guitar does not project as much as Martin D15M they have in stock, I even took my Epiphone to AB against the Gibson (wanted to see for myself how much better Gibson is). Both Martin and Epiphone projected better to the listener and were louder guitars.
Something about Hummingbird is that it feels like an old friend, this one was very easy to play and it will make a perfect accompanying instrument.
At $2K I decided to pass, there are better guitars to be had in that price range or for much less, such as: Breedlove Focus SE, Martin D18, Eastman E10D or E20D, Blueridge BR140A and 160A plus some Yamaha LL models I managed to play. I am referring to used prices.