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Hummingbird - sitka vs. red spruce (adirondack) top?


SC_Wannabe

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Just kind of daydreaming, thinking of selling a couple of my brand "M" guitars, and looking at various Hummingbird incarnations wondering how these two tops compare. Does it need to have a sitka top to get the sweet 'bird tone? How does red spruce sound - does it make something great even better, or does it push the tone too far to the harsh range?

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I'll go out on a shaky limb and say red spruce generally is tighter and a bit harsher than sitka when new, but it ages very well to a strong, dry mellow sound with power........the best of them do, anyway. So, early on in said Hummingbirds' life, it may not sound as sweet as a sitka topped instrument of the same age........give it some time and it could well be a very nice Hummingbird after all...........

 

..........others may advise otherwise.

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I have never been that impressed by Adi topped guitars, I find them harsh and not as responsive, I much prefer Sitka spruce. However I haven't tried any of the torrified Adi topped guitars maybe they are different as they are more broken in sounding.

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Im quite cynical about the sitka vs adi thing. Id bet 99% of people would not be able to tell the difference in a blind test. I reckon its one of those draw backs of spending too much time on guitar forums.

 

I couldn't have said it better myself, EA. I agree completely.... [thumbup]

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Certainly there are differences even if they are subtle, and perhaps most could not hear them. Like the difference between Brazilian and Indian rosewood, like a rosewood or ebony board. Distinct differences? Maybe not, but differences nonetheless.

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When I play a guitar I just ask myself three questions does it sound good and does it suit my playing style lastly can I afford it . Ok certain tonewoods suit different playing styles and body shapes but to be honest did the great guitar makers think and worry about this in the glory day's . Recently I played three new 2016 hummingbird standards side by side all out of the boxes , all made from the same woods , totally different great sounding guitars slightly different sound , feel and playability each one but great guitars I then played a maple back and sided J200 that to my ears sounded warmer than the Hog and Spruce Hummingbird lastly I played a J45 Custom with Rosewood back and sides that was really really loud and up front with a great responce to fingerpicking

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I don't think anyone is arguing that there is NO difference , more the point that until you have the thing in your hands then you're never going to know how much difference red or white spruce will make .

 

It's a little like asking what my guitar will sound like if I put Martin light strings on it

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Just out of curiosity - Does anyone here actually own a Hummingbird with a red spruce top?

 

I was assuming that the TV model was adi since the J45TV is, but after reading the specs I see I was wrong. The Hummingbird TV is (or rather was) sitka.

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