Not-Too-Late Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 I'm new to acoustic, as all my playing revolves around solid body electrics. Recently I was looking at the Epiphone AJ-220S for my wife, but put in on hold due to her wanting to put her focus on learning piano. So that's on the shelf for the time being. For myself, I'm looking at a few electric acoustics, and two of the models I'm eyeing are the Hummingbird and the Dove. I'm hoping to have a look at then next week, but I'm wondering what the differences are between the two. Can anyone assist me with this please? Cheers Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Hummingbird: Mahogany all around with a spruce top = Warm and Woody tone. Dove: Maple all around with a spruce top = Cool and Bright tone. The choice is yours. Might try to record the vocalist (yourself?) accompanied by both, then compare. For me it's Warm and Woody, gimme a 'Bird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarLight Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 I agree with TommyK ...the mahogany Hummingbird for me...I own the Gibson Hummingbird and the Epiphone Hummingbird...of the 27 guitars I have owned in my life....the mahogany Hummingbirds by far exceed expectations for both beauty and warm rich tone designed to compliment the human voice. The dove is nice but very bright in tone...verses the Hummingbird which is warmer and more luscious in tone. The choice however is yours. The AJ-220sce which I also own is also an exceptional guitar with great tone and action, and is also mahogany. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not-Too-Late Posted July 14, 2014 Author Share Posted July 14, 2014 Thanks for your help guys. I lean more toward a warmer sound so I guess the scale is tipping in the Hummers favor. I'm hoping to get out to GC today to have a look see. Cheers Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meanstreak Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 I have both and play the bird much more often Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffmac Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Hummingbird: Mahogany all around with a spruce top = Warm and Woody tone. Dove: Maple all around with a spruce top = Cool and Bright tone. The choice is yours. Might try to record the vocalist (yourself?) accompanied by both, then compare. For me it's Warm and Woody, gimme a 'Bird. I have to say after playing both today out of the box the dove is a superior guitar in tone and feel the hummingbird sounded and felt like a toy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I played the Dove 6 months ago and found it very good for the tag. But have to disagree with the Bird = mellow/warm, Dove = bright/cool idea. The Doves I've played have all been if not sweeter then mellower than Hummingbirds. Maple is a very rounded warm wood when the strings begin to fade, which can make the bass a bit toothless and rubberband-like. If you want dripping sweet highs (and mids), the Dove provides sirup where the Bird offers honey. Still need to find and try a tunomatic bridged Dove - always thought the mix of the soft maple and the steel saddle was an intriguing concept. P.S. I own both models in G-versions. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffmac Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I played the Dove 6 months ago and found it very good for the tag. But have to disagree with the Bird = mellow/warm, Dove = bright/cool idea. The Doves I've played have all been if not sweeter then mellower than Hummingbirds. Maple is a very rounded warm wood when the strings begin to fade, which can make the bass a bit toothless and rubberband-like. If you want dripping sweet highs (and mids), the Dove provides sirup where the Bird offers honey. Still need to find and try a tunomatic bridged Dove - always thought the mix of the soft maple and the steel saddle was an intriguing concept. P.S. I own both models in G-versions. . That would be interesting but in the case of the two I played the dove was warmer than even the store owner , who is also the local Guild and Sigma dealer, thought it would be and preferred its tone to any other dread in the store. The Bird must have been one of those fabled Epiphone misses I hear about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibsonjunkie Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Since it is also a Guild dealer, go back and compare the rosewood D-55! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trans Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Once the HB gets to the point of obvious openess? You wont ever replace that guitar as it will be a keeper. Gibson guitars are quite a different animal, but once you get that one special sounding box? It's as any bit comparable if not better than any other long standing brand out there and can stand toe to toe hands down. Trans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cody78 Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I'm a Dove guy...and I also have a J-185, so I must prefer maple? Never tried the Epi versions though, so I'm not sure how they would compare to Gibson versions, but I'd still probably go with the Dove. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard McCoy Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Umm..., so unlike their Gibson counterparts, both the Epi Dove Pro and 'Bird Pro feature a solid spruce top and plywood body, so the tonal difference between the two should be marginal given that they have the same body shape and only slightly differing scales. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trans Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I've yet to try/buy a Dove that really grabs my attention that is really worth getting. Am sure we have a lot of Dove followers/users here and would not take them out of the equation. The J-15 is really a must try guitar right now that's out there making it's own name, as well as the J-29 both maple and rosewood flavor. I would have both if I could here! Peace! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert1950 Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 There is an additional difference. The Hummingbird has a 24.75" scale. The Dove is 25.5" scale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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