John Joseph

Yes with my 2012 Gibson Hummingbird I removed the pickup had a large endpin made and taller saddle. This was me retired and 10 years older just pulled it inside and taped it up.

I was going to remove the pickup. But I read on another forum you just tape the ribbon inside. I wonder if I got the idea from you. I have a 2012 Bird and removed the pickup this is easier and if I ever sold it the pickup is intact. I've been thinking of getting the Epi Bird just to compare the two everything I hear about them is good. I think they come closest to a Gibson of all the IBG models. My Epi J200 sounds just like a Eastman AC630 jumbo. I know I have one. There so close I'm thinking they could be made in the same factory.

I bought an IBG Epi J200 it was supposed to be a Demo with some dings and dents. Instead they sent me a brand new J200 because the demo was sold after I ordered it. It sounded ok when I got it about 2 months ago. In the last 2 weeks I replaced what I thought was a cheap mass produced not very well made bone saddle that had the intonation off on all strings. I had a custom saddle made for it replaced the plastic bridge pins with bone and experimented with different strings and gauges. I settled on Martin Monel Tony Rice strings. The difference these changes made are amazing. The sound went from ok to pretty awesome. The bass improved the most and the high end . The overall volume is much better the intonation is perfect. I did when I replaced the saddle take the pickup ribbon under the original saddle and pull it into the body and taped it down. The IBG J200 is well made and bracing is done well the finish is really nice on the body and the maple. back and sides are beautiful. Polishing the back and sides with Lizard Spit brought out the grain in the solid maple back and sides. Holding back the potential of this J200 were a cheaply mass produced saddle, cheap plastic pins and strings to light to drive the top.

I agree that is the Sweetwater special. You should have payed less for that model.

Agree with going to Bob Colosi for saddle advice. Most likely to tell you bone is the way to go. I got my bone saddle from Bob for my Hummingbird and Eastman. It was a big improvement to both. Also my HD28 has pins and saddle from Bob he is the best.

When I put the Martin Retro's on my Hummingbird it was like a match made in heaven. That was back in late December and there still on the Bird. I play everyday as long as I want to now I'm retired so the Retro"s have gotten a lot of work. I tried them on my HD28 but while they were ok other sets have sounded better. The D'Addirio N B I've tried a couple times on my HD28 to I thought they were a little brighter on the high end and the bass was really deep a good thump. I might give them a try on my new Eastman E8D.

I had a J50 with an adjustable saddle. For me it was a mistake didn't like it didn't like the sound of the guitar....just something I should have never done. That was about 7 or 8 years ago. I don't remember where that J50 went I erased it from my memory.

That day punched my ticket to Vietnam...as it did for many more. Only in 1963 I didn't know it yet nor did anyone else.

When I changed to Martin Tony Rice Monels and added a bone saddle to replace the Tusq saddle that gave it a better sound to my ear than this video clip . Which is done with original strings and saddle. It seemed like this model was just asking for a little heavier string . The Tony Rice Monels are a little lighter than mediums but really gave it more punch. The bone saddle brought the low end out a little more and gave the high end better balance. I really like this walnut back and sides after playing the HD 28 for 15 years it's really a change.

I've had the Hummingbird Sustainable for a month now. Never played a Sitka top and walnut back and side dread ever. I wasn't sure what to expect. This Gibson has a real dry woody sound probably due to the sparse finish and the projection and volume are as good or maybe better than my HD28. I flatpick and play Carter style bluegrass and Gospel music. The Bird Sustainable just fits this perfect. I never have made any adjustments in the month I've had this Gibson action was perfect even when I went to Tony Rice Martin Monels which by the way seem made for this.

I've tried my Apple iPhone 6 to upload photo's my Verizon android phone camera and my iPad camera and photo's . All 3 said my pictures are too large and exceeds the limit of photo size. I have not used photobucket in years and heard you have to pay for it now. Anyone have advice on what to do I'm out of camera options.

E I've played in a bluegrass band for sometime.. one you need the ability to cut threw the banjo so volume. If your flat picking or doing runs you want good note articulation. With no amps projection.volume are important. I always liked a strong bass to but that is up to the player. I guess that's why Martins are seen a lot at bluegrass events. I've seen Sierra Hull pick the heck out of a Eastman E10D. In her hands it could've been a pre war Martin dread the way it sounded. I've been to a few bluegrass jams in Virginia and anymore along with Martins and Collings you see more Gibson and even a few Taylors.

It comes down to what you like really. Not what the standard for say like bluegrass is a vintage Martin. For you older members you have heard of DR. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountian boys. One of the guitarists plays a ooo model. Not what you'd think he'd be playing. I owned a J45 for years and used it for bluegrass along with my HD28. I plan on using my Hummingbird at times in the bluegrass band I play with. If I like it and it sounds good I'd use it.

They sure can I pick bluegrass with the new Hummingbird I use Monel Tony Rice strings and it sounds great. The HD28 is well played in which makes a big difference. The Bird will get there. You can do whatever you want with a J45. As far as complimenting one an other The the HD28 and Bird are so different in how they sound . They make a great pair.

Nothing like a well played in HD28 I've had mine for 15 years. I've also owned a D18 and a D28. I do own a new model Hummingbird. I like that also it's a different sound . If I had to choose one it would be a HD28. I'm just glad I have both.