PiedmontPicker Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 After years and years of wanting a Gibson acoustic, I finally purchased my sweet baby, a gently used 2013 Hummingbird. Along with the Guild d 55, the Hummingbird has been my holy grail guitar. I'll turn 60 next June so I shamelessly pulled the I'm turning 60 life is so short card to get the green light from my better half. In the past, every time I intended to seek out a Gibson, I always found something else. No complaints mind you, because I've slowly collected four keeper acoustics that I will one day pass along to my daughter. I now have a great and fine example of a Taylor, a Yairi, a Guild and now a Gibson ( never wanted a Martin for some reason although I've enjoyed some of my favorite musicians playing them for years ). Now to my Hummingbird. Not a big fan of Guitar Center but this is where it showed up advertised as a "maple" Hummingbird. I've seen the quilted maple birds and that is what I expected when I drove to the Durham GC. What I saw was a drop dead gorgeous spruce and hog honey burst Bird. When I told the sales guy that I know hog when I see it, he insisted the TOP was maple and said it with such conviction that I called Gibson only to find out what I already knew, there is no such thing as a Bird with a maple top. Don't you just love GC ?! Anyway, they were plenty nice. I sat down to play MY Hummingbird ( yes I already knew I would not leave the store without it )and even with very old strings in the midst of typical GC noise I felt the vibration through my body and heard and felt the Gibson thump. I didn't play numerous Birds or A/B it against the J-45 or HB Pro on the wall. It's not a loud in your face guitar with ringing harmonics but I've got that base covered. It does has a warm intimate tone that will only improve with fresh strings and age. Nothing like the smell of a new guitar, but I know as the smell slowly diminishes and the wood vibrates and dehydrates the tone will ripen to perfection. I get giddy just knowing I now have my Hummingbird and when I catch a glimpse of me in the mirror with the Bird hanging from around my neck, I get goose bumps and feel blessed beyond belief ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ServantOfGod Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 After years and years of wanting a Gibson acoustic, I finally purchased my sweet baby, a gently used 2013 Hummingbird. Along with the Guild d 55, the Hummingbird has been my holy grail guitar. I'll turn 60 next June so I shamelessly pulled the I'm turning 60 life is so short card to get the green light from my better half. In the past, every time I intended to seek out a Gibson, I always found something else. No complaints mind you, because I've slowly collected four keeper acoustics that I will one day pass along to my daughter. I now have a great and fine example of a Taylor, a Yairi, a Guild and now a Gibson ( never wanted a Martin for some reason although I've enjoyed some of my favorite musicians playing them for years ). Now to my Hummingbird. Not a big fan of Guitar Center but this is where it showed up advertised as a "maple" Hummingbird. I've seen the quilted maple birds and that is what I expected when I drove to the Durham GC. What I saw was a drop dead gorgeous spruce and hog honey burst Bird. When I told the sales guy that I know hog when I see it, he insisted the TOP was maple and said it with such conviction that I called Gibson only to find out what I already knew, there is no such thing as a Bird with a maple top. Don't you just love GC ?! Anyway, they were plenty nice. I sat down to play MY Hummingbird ( yes I already knew I would not leave the store without it )and even with very old strings in the midst of typical GC noise I felt the vibration through my body and heard and felt the Gibson thump. I didn't play numerous Birds or A/B it against the J-45 or HB Pro on the wall. It's not a loud in your face guitar with ringing harmonics but I've got that base covered. It does has a warm intimate tone that will only improve with fresh strings and age. Nothing like the smell of a new guitar, but I know as the smell slowly diminishes and the wood vibrates and dehydrates the tone will ripen to perfection. I get giddy just knowing I now have my Hummingbird and when I catch a glimpse of me in the mirror with the Bird hanging from around my neck, I get goose bumps and feel blessed beyond belief ! Congratulations! Enjoy it!! I just can't stop playing mine! oh, and post some pictures please, we will love to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 PP: When you play it, and feel its rumble in your soul - oh man! I am so pleased you found a great Hummingbird. Male top, eh? Love it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 Awesome Congratulations! Love the honeyburst scheme too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR GIBS Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 Congrats! Oooh, and I want one ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 . Glad you finally satisfied all those years of wanting. From your comments, sure sounds like you're in love with her. Post a pic or two when you get a chance. Congrats and enjoy. . B) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 congratulations sounds like a dandy for sure..after all it is a Bird can't be too bad ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiedmontPicker Posted October 14, 2014 Author Share Posted October 14, 2014 Mr GIBS, thanks for posting the video. well done, you're coaxing some mighty sweet tones from that Bird. My Bird is a bit darker on the edges with less yellow in the finish. I do understand that lighting plays a roll. I called mine Honeyburst earlier, but I've seen people post pictures of Heritage Cherry Birds that look like that too so I'm not exactly sure. I always thought the HC finish had lots of red, like you often see on Gibson Dove guitars. I guess there is a complete continuum from Heritage Cherry all the way through Tobacco Burst. Whatever mine is officially called, I call it BEAUTIFUL. When I get my act together, I'll post some pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 You seem to be high flying with this guitar - just great. The Bird has found the right nest - enjoy and stay happy up there both of you. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
music4love Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 Congratulations. I know exactly how you feel because I feel the same way about my Hummingbird. She turns 1 in December and is singing sweeter and sweeter with each passing day. I spent the entire afternoon playing. I plan on another 2 hours of playtime tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarLight Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 Congratulations! I also have a 2013 Gibson Hummingbird so I know how excited you must be! They are wonderful guitars..you made the right choice. ...Also got mine at GC. Enjoy it! These are truly special guitars! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 Congrats! Oooh, and I want one ... A very nice test, GIBS - appreciated . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 Congrats! Oooh, and I want one ... That sounds like the perfect guitar for you. What are you waiting for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 Congrats on "the bird." A guitar that has truly earned and deserves its iconic image. Awesome guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ServantOfGod Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Congratulations!. I'm the same. After many years of waiting ( not so many like you) I finally managed to get the guitar of my dreams. It is 2006 and not only looks amazing. It has an amazing sound ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Look at the outer zones of the top where the hue reaches the same tone of brown as the sides and back. That detail gives the guitar it's own personality - it'll turn into a stunner once the bindings begin to go amber. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slinky1 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I have really been wanting a "Southern Jumbo" next and then a nice "Hummingbird". A nice "Bird" would probably go better with the J-200, J-15 and "Blues King" though. Man! Those pictures are very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ServantOfGod Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Look at the outer zones of the top where the hue reaches the same tone of brown as the sides and back. That detail gives the guitar it's own personality - it'll turn into a stunner once the bindings begin to go amber. . Oh yeah! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiedmontPicker Posted October 16, 2014 Author Share Posted October 16, 2014 Thanks, SOG, for posting the pics of your outrageously beautiful Hummingbird ! My guitar came equipped with some of the oldest worn out strings imaginable. I have always been a medium kind of guy but I decided to shuffle the deck reading so often on this forum that light strings are the way to go with a bird. Granted, given the despicable shape of the old strings, anything would sound great in comparison. But I'm here to tell you that the D'Addario EJ 16 PB strings are HEAVEN on my new ax!! WOW !! I'm sure I'll do some more string experimentation, but for now I can't imagine any other strings would be an improvement. Let the good times roll ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 But I'm here to tell you that the D'Addario EJ 16 PB strings are HEAVEN on my new ax!! WOW !! I'm sure I'll do some more string experimentation, but for now I can't imagine any other strings would be an improvement. Let the good times roll ! Helousa PiedmontPicker - Glad to hear D'Addarios still do it - should we call them the 6-span work-horses of acoustic steel. Haven't used them a while, but they are always there in store somewhere (shop/shelf/mind). Is it in your cards to show a couple of pics of your new guitar. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiedmontPicker Posted October 16, 2014 Author Share Posted October 16, 2014 Hang with me Em7, I'm a little stack in the picture department but my aim is to get it in gear and post some pictures asap. Seems like every spare minute of my personal time is spent with my new lady bird. As they say, a picture is worth 1,000,000 words so I will try to get my act together. I certainly enjoy seeing all of the guitar pics posted and they are always much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 My 2010 H'Bird is the one I would keep if I could only have one. It is "comfortable" to play, begs you to slide and hammer, loves picks as much as fingers and has an understated presence that lets you know it can do anything you throw at it. And, as many guitar purists have stated - it is the most beautiful and representative example of "The Acoustic Guitar"! And, best of all, it sounds best of all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis57 Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Congratulations!. I'm the same. After many years of waiting ( not so many like you) I finally managed to get the guitar of my dreams. It is 2006 and not only looks amazing. It has an amazing sound ! Hum that is a good looking Bird! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ServantOfGod Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Hum that is a good looking Bird! Thanks!!I am really enjoying it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splake Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Pretty Guitars!!!! I played one a new one at GC and the J45 also. I went with the J45 but it could of went either way. Congrats dude. Play the hell out of her, she will thank you for it. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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