BLACKBIRD47 Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 First of all this is my first post here... So thanks in advance for any input you guys have! I recently purchased a 2005 Hummingbird off of ebay and it was described as a True Vintage model. The label says 60's Hummingbird on the top line and Authentic underneath that. I have done a bit of research on this model and haven't been able to come up with much. Do any of you kind folks have any information on this model? The lack of information would lead me to believe that it may be a bit more rare than a True Vintage? The best I have been able to find out is that it is a 2005 Custom Shop 60's Authentic.... I have seen a couple that have sold in the past on different sights but don't know much more about it. I got it for $1750. Not sure if that is a good deal? I am super excited to be getting a Hummingbird before this I have only had Seagulls and I currently have a Blueridge BR-40. I look forward to hearing the difference :0) Thanks for any input and opinions! Bill Here is a link to the auction with photos http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-Hummingbird-/151496755445?pt=Guitar&hash=item2345e908f5&nma=true&si=qYGLttQuzG8T48Gwv9Ei%252BRQaFeM%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Hello BLACKBIRD47 - This surely looks like the real deal - perhaps a forerunner of the later True Vintage Hummingbirds. At first glance you can see it on the engraved pick-guard and the tulip tuners. The when you look closer, the back braces should be thinner than the Standard. Someone here will know exactly from which stage of the overall Bird development your guitar is. You know they moved slowly through many incarnations ever since the model was born in 1960. The case has blue interior, which for the past 7 years or so has been related to the Standard version. Forget that and concentrate on the sound, feel and looks of the guitar. You might have hooked yourself a hit. . ▲ Another thing to notice is the neck-bindings - do they cover the fret-endings or not. . ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurfbird Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 I will say that at $1750, no matter which model it is, as long as it plays well and has no issues, you got a good deal. If it turns out to be a model above the usual standard, then you got a very good deal. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Yes, building on the previous two comments it does appear to be an early 'True Vintage' speced model, without the official TV title. And at $1750 that is an outstanding deal. You may well have hit a major home run here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Welcome BB. I have a Hummingbird that was made about 3 months after yours. Back in those days it was described as a "Historic" model. When I bought mine I was told that there were 450 made that year. As to price, the MSRP at that time was $3589.00. So, based on what most pay for used models you paid a fair price, provided it's in good condition. Hope you enjoy yours as I've really enjoyed mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 During the first 3 decades the Hummingbird changed significantly 3 to 4 or 5 times (not talking bursts here). From the early 90's a cascade of names/variations were introduced. Not sure this is the exact order, but not too far off : Gibson 100th Anniversary Hummingbird 1994 Early 60's Hummingbird 60's Authentic Hummingbird Historic Collection Hummingbird then the split between Modern Classic/HCS(heritage cherry sunburst)/Standard and True Vintage Hummingbird 50th Anniversary Hummingbird - w. golden p-guard motif 60's reissue Hummingbird - reintroducing adjustable saddle with tusq instead of ceramic saddle material plus the 2 new maple fliers (not to mention the rosewood and koa ones). . So there you go - a rough linear picture to place yourself in over the weekend ~ ENJOY , , , and may other members correct and supply the list above with further expertise. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLACKBIRD47 Posted December 13, 2014 Author Share Posted December 13, 2014 Thanks so much for the feedback everyone! I am really excited to get this beauty in my hands! I played a 1968 Hummingbird a few years ago and was absolutely floored by the beautiful tone that guitar had, but alas I couldn't swing the 2k plus price tag at the time. I never forgot about it though. Normally I wouldn't buy a guitar without playing it first, but I had seen nothing but excellent feedback online from folks who own True Vintage models. So I took a chance. I made him an offer I thought there was no way he would except and much to my surprise and delight he took me up on it! I will post more pics and report on any issues once she arrives next week :0) Thanks again!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grOOved Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 The True Vintage model came out in 2007 so as others have mentioned, it is not a TV. Aside from that, prior to the TV models there was a run of 60s Authentic Hummingbirds. The story goes that Gibson found the original moldings of the old Hummingbird pickguard casts from the 60s. They did a limited run of models featuring the "authentic" Hummingbird engraved pickguards which later became what we know today as the True Vintage model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Don't expect your new Bird to be similar to the '68 you tried some time ago. From 1968 and 2 years forward they got much heavier, introduced longer scale length and had the bridge turned around. They might be related, but yours will be closer to the original first wave, much lighter and - all after individual taste - probably 'better', , , funnier to play. Besides it will have a wider nut width (opposed to the originals). An exciting situation to be in anyway. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLACKBIRD47 Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 Update! I got my bird today and she is gorgeous! No scratches or dings anywhere, basically in new condition. The only issue I could find is the pickguard is lifting slightly along the bottom. As far as identification goes it say "Custom shop" on the back of the headstock and the neck bindings do cover the frets. Do all of the 60s Authentics say Custom shop on the headstock?? As far as the tone goes,, she sounds great! But I'm sure she will sound better with some new elixirs. I think it may have the original strings on it.. I will post more pics tonight. Again thanks for any feedback you can give :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
music4love Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Glad it arrived safe and sound and that you like it. Mine says custom shop on the back. That is because it was from a limited run in 2013. The True Vintage is no longer a standard production model and only available when Gibson decides to build them in limited numbers. My Hummingbird didn't sound right to me with elixirs. I like Pure Western Folk stings on mine. I have to oder them online . Enjoy your new guitar. You couldn't have picked a better model to take a chance on. Im glad it worked out in your favor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLACKBIRD47 Posted December 18, 2014 Author Share Posted December 18, 2014 Thanks music4love! I will keep the string suggestion in mind for next time. I put the elixirs on and it made a world of difference over the old ones that were on it! She sounds amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 I use Elixers phospher bronze medium lights on my H'BIrd TV and they sound great. Enjoy ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurfbird Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Anyone ever used those Martin Retro Monel strings on a Bird? Just curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLACKBIRD47 Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 Welcome BB. I have a Hummingbird that was made about 3 months after yours. Back in those days it was described as a "Historic" model. When I bought mine I was told that there were 450 made that year. As to price, the MSRP at that time was $3589.00. So, based on what most pay for used models you paid a fair price, provided it's in good condition. Hope you enjoy yours as I've really enjoyed mine. I sent an email to Gibson customer support to find out more info on the 60's Authentic. They were kind enough to send a response! They said that the 60's Authentic was only made in 2005 with a small amount spilling over to be shipped in early 2006. There were only approx. 120 of these made. The MSRP was $3892 in 2005. All of the Authentics should have the Custom shop label on the back of the headstock. Just thought you may be interested to hear what they had to say. I hope you are enjoying your Bird as much as I'm loving mine!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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