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  #31  
Old 10-08-2021, 08:37 AM
ricfreak ricfreak is offline
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Originally Posted by Brucebubs View Post
The answer seems simple - buy the D-18 and swap the pick-guard.

LOL!!!
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  #32  
Old 10-08-2021, 08:40 AM
ricfreak ricfreak is offline
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Yes. You should buy a Hummingbird
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  #33  
Old 10-08-2021, 09:09 AM
TiffanyGuitar TiffanyGuitar is offline
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Here is my J-30. It is basically a stripped down hummingbird. Same specs, scale length, etc. They are on reverb used. It's an awesome guitar. It's an old friend - had it since new. Many people don't know the scale length on a J45 is different than a Hummingbird. The two models sound different, one is not better than the other, just different.
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  #34  
Old 10-08-2021, 09:24 AM
Slim Zooms Slim Zooms is offline
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Originally Posted by ricfreak View Post
Yes. You should buy a Hummingbird
I never get tired of this great photo!
Great stuff.
Cheers
Slim
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  #35  
Old 10-08-2021, 04:26 PM
DBW DBW is offline
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Yes- If you want a Hummingbird, you should buy a Hummingbird. They are beautiful guitars.
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  #36  
Old 10-08-2021, 04:40 PM
thomasinaz thomasinaz is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brucebubs View Post
There are Hummingbirds and there are Hummingbirds.

Gibson currently list 9 versions on there site.

- Original
- Standard
- Studio
- Studio Rosewood
- Erich Church Dark
- Deluxe
- Custom
- 1960 Adjustable Bridge
- 1960 Fixed Bridge - as the owner of a Custom Shop Historic Gibson myself , this is the one I'd like to try.

It would be rash to write them all off after just playing one.
The 1960 Fixed bridge is a spectacular Bird. I had a Standard Bird for a few years and it sounded good. Got the 1960 and it sounds so much better, really a giant step up. I'd highly recommend the OP try and find one of the new 1960 Fixed Bridge Birds to try.

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  #37  
Old 10-08-2021, 05:00 PM
sakar12 sakar12 is offline
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I have a J-45 and a D-18GE. I love the D-18GE and thought the J-45 was too thumpy ... For a week or so. Now I "get" that Gibson sound and love it more than I ever expected to.

So yeah, you need a Hummingbird.
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  #38  
Old 10-09-2021, 02:02 AM
N+1 N+1 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ricfreak View Post
Yes. You should buy a Hummingbird
I didn't want a hummingbird before, but I do now.
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  #39  
Old 10-09-2021, 04:00 AM
AndrewG AndrewG is offline
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Originally Posted by Mr. Bill View Post
In my opinion, it is not the best sounding Gibson model, and by a long shot. I will take a great J45 or Advanced Jumbo every time.
I wouldn't even bother with trying to find a good-sounding J45. All those I have played have been disappointing. The AJ, however, is a sensational instrument and, in my humble opinion, Gibson's finest acoustic guitar. Why it isn't a constant in Gibson's catalogue is a mystery to me.
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  #40  
Old 10-09-2021, 07:12 AM
Golffishny Golffishny is offline
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I've only played a few Hummingbirds. Several were ok, 1 was outstanding. I thought this is what the hype is about. Keep trying until you find the one. It's out there.
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  #41  
Old 10-09-2021, 07:27 AM
HogsNRoses HogsNRoses is offline
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My suggestion: Try Hummingbirds until you find one that plays for you like a D18.

IMHO, music is more heart than head, so it's important to pick an instrument that you connect with at an emotional level. Reading your descriptions, it sounds like your head says D18 and your heart says Hummingbird.

A couple years ago I said in ignorance that Martins and Gibsons had a similar sound. The reason I had that opinion is that I sound like me on either a Martin or a Gibson.

Another reason to go with your heart: maybe it will stave off GAS. I'm as susceptible to GAS as the next person, but I've had the same bass since 1983 and that will probably never change. In 1982, I saw my first 12 string Rickenbacker, and if I had bought one early on I'd have saved myself a lot of trouble later.

P.S. to your reasons for getting a D18: 1) what does scale length matter? 2) you might like the tone of a D18, but if you find the right Hummingbird, you'll like its tone also. 3) if you really want a standard scale - would a Dove be just as good? How about a Songwriter?
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  #42  
Old 09-27-2023, 03:25 PM
NowhereMan33 NowhereMan33 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AndrewG View Post
I wouldn't even bother with trying to find a good-sounding J45. All those I have played have been disappointing. The AJ, however, is a sensational instrument and, in my humble opinion, Gibson's finest acoustic guitar. Why it isn't a constant in Gibson's catalogue is a mystery to me.
A great sounding J45 can be found, and I have one. It’s the rosewood version, so some would say it’s not a real J45. But I’ve heard some great standard mahogany and even walnut versions.
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  #43  
Old 09-27-2023, 08:07 PM
azjohn azjohn is offline
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My Hummingbird is my "forever" guitar. I also wanted a Martin and so a D28 is part of my guitar family now and I could not be happier. I'm lucky to have both.

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  #44  
Old 09-27-2023, 09:22 PM
Arapaho G Arapaho G is offline
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Get them both. It's only money and you only live once. You'd have no problem selling either one.
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  #45  
Old 09-28-2023, 04:48 AM
DrunkUncles DrunkUncles is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by catdaddy View Post
The truth is, you'll never be sated and satisfied until you have both...and maybe not then.
I love the way you think! My wife and bank account would disagree...
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