Calling all guitar aficionados!

[blue neen]

I called #1 son yesterday to see if there was anything else he needed for Christmas. You know, I'm thinking jeans, shoes, a coat, whatever.

He calls back and says (jokingly, of course), "How about a Hummingbird"? That, of course, is an impossibility. Socks will be much more likely! :)

It did pique my curiousity, though. What makes a Hummingbird guitar so special? Do they have a particular unique tone? Are they extra easy to play? What is it that makes them so desirable?

Any insight would be appreciated! Thanks, dudes and dudettes! :toast:

[blue neen]

1. Kicking for the evening crowd...

Maybe the guitarists only come out at night! :)

[bighart]

2. It's the tone woods used and the construction.

They have a very warm tone, mahogany, spruce and rosewood. Not too boomy on the bottom and not too thin on the top end. Not to mention they are a beautiful guitars.

[blue neen]

3. I have seen one that was made in the 1960's. It is magnificent.

Do you know of any famous songs that feature this type of acoustic guitar?

[Lasher]

8. Marshall Tucker Band, Fire on the Mountain

I've always thought that was a hummingbird in that song but I've not been able to confirm it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AChK4jBkxs0

[blue neen]

12. That was such an awesome song to wake up to!

Thanks! I need to get that loaded onto the IPod! :)

I sat and listened to it twice. If that was a hummingbird, it sounded fantastic!

The sound of the guitar was light and melodic, and it really held up to the other instrumentation and vocals.

I'm starting to see why it's such a desirable guitar.

Thanks again. :toast:

On edit: If you know of any other "hummingbird songs" let me know. Now, I'm really intrigued!

[Lasher]

16. I have had the pleasure of playing a Hummingbird.

Like I said, I'm not sure that was one but that's the way one sounds. Wish I had one, I'd haul it out right now. Maybe I'll just fire up the old Kustom amp and plug in the Fender Nashville Strat.

Happy holidays!

[panader0]

4. In a recent Amer Music Supply catalog

they list two Gibson Hummingbirds: $2,949.00 and $3899.00
Yeah, I want one too.

[blue neen]

5. Damn, that's a lot of cash!

:) Have you ever played one?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

6. There are Epiphone Hummingbird knock-offs for around 350

That's probably what #1 had in mind, right?

:hi:

[blue neen]

7. No, he's all Gibson.

In fact, a former friend of #1's recently stole his Gibson Les Paul. The former friend is now currently in jail...he's a heroin junkie who stole his OWN UNCLE'S Hummingbird for his habit.

Apparently said junkie's dealer is also in the guitar business.

[old mark]

9. Gibsons are rediculously steep - I have an Epiphone version of a Gibson

Les Paul/SG, the '61 Les Paul Custom....It lists for almost $900, while the REAL Gibson re-issue is well over $6,000...of course you get a case with that...


The Hummingbird is a beautiful guitar, though.

Link:
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Acoustic-Instruments/Square-Shoulder/Gibson-Acoustic/Hummingbird.aspx

List price - $3700...you can get it much cheaper at Guitar Center or Musician's Friend online stores.

mark

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

11. How would you compare the Epiphone to the "real" Gibson?

Is the real Gibson five or ten times better?

Is the difference in the sound? Or in the playability?

Would money be better spent just sending a "lesser" guitar to a good luthier for adjustments? Maybe a tune-up of an already-owned guitar would be a good xmas present.

:hi:

[old mark]

15. I used to own 2 older gibson Les Paul Customs, and I now own a Gibson Les Paul Special...

One of my old Customs- a 1974- cost $1000, which I thought was reasonable at the time, but I think the Epiphone is a very good guitar...I don't believe there is ANY solid body guitar made by anyone that is actually "worth" $6000 - I am very happy with the Epiphone as it came from the factory. It is extremely versatile, with 3 humbuckers and a fine, fast neck. When I worked in a guita shop I was told that Gibsons are made using "better wood", but how much is the cost of all the wood used in a solid body guitar...generously, maybe a few hundred dollars? The only reason Gibsons are so expensive is the name.

This is the Gibson, but with the vibrato tailpiece:
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/SG/Gibson-Custom/SG-Custom-Maestro-VOS.aspx


This is the Epi, identical to mine:
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-EPI-G400CST-LIST

There might be differences in sound, but there are differences between indivcidual instruments, too - The tuners, pickups and components are the same. Both are made of mahogany, with gold plated hardware. The Gibson has an ebony fingerboard and is made in the USA, the Epi has a rosewood board and is made in Epiphone's own plant in China.

There are differences, but not $5000 worth, IMO...

mark

[blue neen]

14. We get Guitar Center ads sent here.

Maybe I'll have to check it out.

[retread]

10. If you are seriously thinking of investing that kind of cash in a guitar, look around for a local

luthier and see what they offer. They may be out of your price range, but you don't know until you look.

[blue neen]

13. Thank you for that suggestion.

I just may do that...I'm starting to get an appreciation of what a desirable guitar this is.
:)

[retread]

17. If that doesn't pan out, take a look at some of the so called boutique guitars.

Collings, Huss and Dalton, Froggy Bottom, Bourgeois, Santa Cruz, to name just a few. As you can tell I'm not a real big fan of Gibsons, though I know guys who would give up any appendage not used to play for an old Gibson.

With any guitar don't make it a complete surprise, by that I mean if you do buy one make sure it has been played by the eventual owner and she/he is happy with it. When it comes to guitars there is no one size fits all!

[blue neen]

18. Yeah, I was thinking about that.

I'm not lucky enough to know how to play a guitar, but I do know that they have to feel right to the owner.

I saw an interesting guitar today--it's called an Epiphone Midnight Vine.

Do you know anything about those?

Thank you so much for helping to educate me. :)

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

19. If that's in your price range

then so is the Epiphone Hummingbird.

The midnight vine looks like it's acoustic AND electric, the hummingbird might be acoustic only. Personally, I like the finish (clear & tint) of the hummingbird. The midnight vine looks like paint, from the picture I saw.

But, consult with #1 son.

If I was in the market for a new expensive (compared to what I have) guitar, I'd be nervous if someone else was going to pick it out.

:hi:

[blue neen]

20. I'd definitely have him try out the guitar.

That's what I thought was interesting about the Midnight Vine...that it was acoustic and electric.

He has a couple of electric guitars, but no acoustic.

I think what he really wants is for me to pass on to him my dad's 2 acoustics, but I'm not ready to do that yet...not after someone just stole his Les Paul out of his own house.

Thank you for your feedback and suggestions. I have definitely learned a lot today!

I keep listening to that Marshall Tucker song that someone kindly posted upthread. The sound of that hummingbird (if that's what it is) is unbelievable. :)

[Taverner]

21. Expect a wonderful Christmas

Either way

[blue neen]

22. Thank you.

I will. :)