E-minor7

The faded 60's cherry is one of my general favorites. The second pic says it all. Never met or played a Gibson 12, but lucky rosewood-saddle-you.

I know these guitars don't keep you awake over nite. Never the less it was you who introduced me to the deeper levels and literally guided me inside the vintage square Gibsons 7-8 years ago ^ 1963 ~ Here's an older link to some sounds from my 63'er. It's the ceramic saddle and the strings are plain ph. b. or b. https://soundcloud.c...-southern-jumbo

You could call me E all the way to the next chord as long as you realize that the film isn't me or mine. Calling the Southern Jumbo a Hummingbird-Dove would never happen here, , , not even after a genuine 1970's giga-hookah. Just found the clip before X-mas and waited for an opportunity to post. You provided it. Thanx. Lets talk more about these guitars in the time ahead. They are something special, , , slightly controversial for some G-fundamentalists, yet so mesmerizing, lush'n'rockin'. And yes, do try to find a ceramic saddle. Comparing the sonic difference/expression is intriguing and a bit of a mind-opener in itself. Definitely worth it.

Hey S-Fan - Welcome inside and what a gem to have brought along there. I'm absolutely crazy about these guitars and am the lucky owner of a few. The 4 piece top sounds like something from another world. Never heard anything like it. But Kalamazoo was Kalamazoo, (as they say) and you could never tell what oddballs left the plant back then. I'm sure you are aware your version has the rosewood saddle-insert - they also came in ceramic - and that yours is the mellower of the 2. Big difference between them, , , also regarding the newer tusq ones, which don't reach the magic clang of the original porcelain at all. Enjoy your guitar. Here is one from around '66. Check 1:36, , , and feel free to giggle over the 'Hummingbird Dove description', , , what !?! 3 Gibsons ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REZMYRCrZXA And don't forget Gibson re-made a number of these 1967's last year. Not sure if you know, but am 100 % positive they didn't have 4 pc top.

Hahe, , , think it's better to pass this time. It was after all told in the autumn. Almost certain there will come a chance to launch it again - if I don't (against all expectations) grow up before that. . But yes, it's an intriguing tale. Bet there must be buckets here and there in both Belgium and the rest of Europe to this day. Saw one on Norwegian eBay - that auction went sky-high.

As you probably know there are several versions (not only talking materials) of this guard. The one you post might be among my favorites. The outline does something special, but the other factors are beautiful as well. All from me - Hi

Hope tinman has considered this. I tend to bet on jedzeps theory that the former owner found it too brittle, fx for a certain recording, and therefor tried to dampen the Bird down. Long theme short, the piece of cloth (and other foreign-bodies) is a no-go as a main-rule. Which of course can be broken in special situations. Straight hard-wooden shims are fine, but different experimental materials should be only used in case you want to alter sound. I still keep medium sandpaper under my Dove-saddle. That's because it is so smooooth. Also withhold trebs on my squares (and others) with a line of under-saddle-duct-tape beneath the 3 thin strings. Oooohh. . . Various luthiers have scorned me for that, but I just smile. What do they know about my sound'n'taste - how the guitars react to my nails. Nil.

Not sure it would make sense to ask about specific details, but if any anecdotes stands out from the period it would be a treat to hear them. 'Bout recordings, the guitars, the shows, the obstacles, the flows and inspiration, the return from India etc. . Been a Dono-fan all my life - long before knowing there was a Most in the picture - and find his contribution spectacular. Still play him a lot. Songs like Isle of Islay, Lanena, Lullaby of Spring, Little Tin-soldier and even Catch the Wind or Colours never wear out. J. Cameron was excellent as well - not least the trio there really made certain things levitate. J.C. btw. was the maestro at the Albert Hall-concert seen in the pic above. Good to know he's still around.

Helo - Most was involved in some magical things back in the golden age. You should share some tales - 'bout the Donovan-sessions fx. Welcome

The pins as well !?!, , , aha. I allow myself to doubt that, but could be wr. . . The topic has been touched earlier in the common section. Some had the idea the plants use plastic so people can upgrade themselves (if it is an upgrade - as we know tusq is more even than organic bone). Another thought could be the cost, , , and of course the possibility to present bone on deluxe versions as known with the Gibson TVs.

Okay, Jeff - wonder if it's the same as this one, which says 1963 - http://www.ebay.com/...gkAAOSwb3NZuRf0 But here are a few more - 56. Gibson J-45 with unique Granadillo tonewood 57. Gibson J-45 1963 reissue (cherryburst but normal bridge/saddle) 58. Gibson J-45 ''The 59'' (Custom Shop) triburst w. adj. bridge/saddle And let's not forget it was Wily who started this list - I'm only the stand-in-moderator.

Ouh, , , we need to add this fellow. 55. Gibson J-45 Progressive

HiBack Bläss - Welcome. You came to the right place. The Board is lucky enough to have its own list - put on the shades The J-45 library 1. Gibson J-45 Modern Classic 2. Gibson J-45 Historic Collection 3. Gibson J-45 Standard 4. Gibson J-45 True Vintage 5. Gibson J-45 Pro 6. Gibson J-45 Artist 7. Gibson J-45 New Vintage 8. Gibson J-45 American 9. Gibson J-45 Legend 10. Gibson J-45 Studio 11. Gibson J-45 Pre-war 12. Gibson J-45 Deluxe 13. Gibson J-45 Limited 14. Gibson J-45 Custom 15. Gibson J-45 Studio reissue 16. Gibson J-45 Custom Koa 17. Gibson J-45 Custom Maple 18. Gibson J-45 Custom Rosewood 19. Gibson J-45 Long scale 20. Gibson J-45 Antique Natural 21. Gibson J-45 Ltd. 1960'S Ebony Black 22. Gibson J-45 Ltd. 1968 Cherry Red Finish 23. Gibson J-45 Wine Red 24. Gibson J-45 Vintage Sunburst 25. Gibson J-45 Cobraburst 26. Gibson J-45 Amberburst 27. Gibson J-45 Red Spruce Sunsetburst 28. Gibson J-45 Mystic Rosewood 29. Gibson J-45 Brad Paisley Signature 30. Gibson J-45 John Hiatt Signature 31. Gibson J-45 Celebrity 32. Gibson J-45 Reissue 33. Gibson J-45 Dwight Yoakam Honky Tonk Deuce 34. Gibson J-45 Custom Vine Rosewood 35. Gibson J-45 Reissue Historic 36. Gibson J-45 V.O.S. 37. Gibson J-45 Pure voice 38. Gibson J-45 Koa Maui Wowie 39. Gibson J-45 Standard CST Madagascar Rosewood 40. Gibson J-45 Western 41. Gibson J-45 Buddy Holly 42. Gibson J-45 Gold top 43. Gibson J-45 Brazilian 44. Gibson J-45 Flamed Maple LTD 45. Gibson J-45 Pelham Blue 46. Gibson J-45 Kazuyoshi Saito signature 47. Gibson J-45 Banner WWII 48. Gibson J-45 Donovan 49. Gibson J-45 Northern 50. Gibson J-45 Brown Top 51. Gibson J-45 Ltd.White 52. Gibson J-45 Zebra Wood 53. Gibson J-45 Early 54. Gibson J-45 Mellow Yellow

Almost 100 it's a plastic saddle. Carving a new one in bone would probably make quite a difference - not necessarily to the better depending on taste. But it would be worth it - and yes, let the saddle follow. You can always combine your way forward when you have all 4 components. I'm awaiting a nylon/plastic-material from China for one of my vintage Gibsons as I speak. Made a replacement in bone, which changed the sound drastically, but this nylon thing should be very close to the original - we'll see. (doin' it for wider spacing) Enjoy the experiment ^ and congs on the classic Mart.

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I been looking far into this regarding my 2012 Hummingbird as I really liked the original sound and found it hard to recreate at some point. Discussed it back'n'forth via P.M. with (too seldom present) member Father of Pearl, who had been through similar investigations. The argument for the fac-strings not being ordinary Masterbuilts obviously is that a coating would keep them fresher on the shop-wall for a longer time. Both Taylor and Martin think that way. However I've come to find that they could very well have been Masterbuilts as claimed. This dawned after a new set of MB's stayed on the guitar for more that 4 month and were played a lot. After all the Bird was 12 months old when I fell for it. I actually went as far as revisiting the shop to buy a set of used strings right off another Hummingbird during the experiments - still have them around (, , later bought the whole Bird). 1 thing is sure - the factory strings are bronze not phosphor ditto. It's seen on the hue - one bronzy the other golden. Admit bein' unable to remember what is what as I speak - which of course is ubearable embarrassing. Here's an exchange from AGF - http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=441617

Highly fascinating little piece of 1962-paper. A time where the Bird had found a branch and landed on it. So the name came from the pick-guard, but from where came the idea for the motif, , , , the sound. . . ? This mr. Turner - did he say anything remarkable bout the model. As a player, , , , or an acoustic-guit philosopher. .

So you, Newbie SirNed, is the one and only Hartford Snider's grandson !!!! , , it blows my hat off. . If you knew how many times I saluted your old-old man here, you would see why. The artist created an iconic image within modern pop-culture, which to this day has mesmerized, and in some strange galaxy, united so many people. I sure hope he realized that before leaving the planet. And he - if any - must have been close to the development of the new squares just before 1960 and 2 years forward. The legend has it that Kalamazoo wanted a D-28 as the next decade was coming, , , and wound with this totally unique short-scaled mahogany creature colored like a tequila sunrise. I believe we are many who would like the detailed story, but it seems to stay behind the trumpet-flower leaves. One thing must be certain : When they heard the sweetness, sensed the rolling nectar of this hovering kid they must have said, , , "it's like a hummingbird". From there mister Snider took over. .

Oh well, , , yes, Mr. Snider has been mentioned many a time here, , , but for my part always with a Y. Remember seeing his cousin chiming in somewhere on the web a few years ago and he seemed reliable. Then again pretty hard to tell. He should be recognized and praised more, H. Snider - as the significant alternative-canvas folklore pop-artist he is. Glad to know he also did the Dove. The 200 was before him, one guesses.

Oooooh those days when modern folk was born. So much fresh new consciousness, protest and hope under that mushroom-shadow. The times when small groups of people could lean seriously on dreams of a better realm without being regarded as fools, , , , at least by approximately half of the rest. No, I wasn't there, too young - btw. neither were my parents. Notice there are at least 2 Levins in those pics. Have the feeling they were pretty hip. I played a 1965'er not so long a go. Not bad at all. And it seems McTell got retopped quite early.

Do pictures of the young Ralph with the pre-natural top exist ? Here's an early one after the refinish - https://phonybeatlem...alph-mctell.jpg And here's an even earlier - https://images-na.ss...O4QKM6%2B5L.jpg Perhaps here - https://images-na.ss...tv%2BBoFltL.jpg Finally - http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5369438919_aaeea05f8d.jpg Apropos pictures, what will you folks recommend now that Photobucket has changed policy ?

U2

Good point. And for those who don't know, he was the man behind Anji (NO ! not Angie)- mentioned so many times here.

Neil Young has to enter the list. His herd included a J-200 for over 45 years. And let's not forget J-50-Club members John Renbourn and Ralph McTell, , , , , , plus Gillian Welch (w. her alternative saddle). Btw. according to Young's tech, he also brings a secret 1950's hotel-room-J-50 with him on tour. JCV - Jagger definitely still swings his original first wave Hummingbird on stage. But Richards seems to have converted to a small body Mart.

Agree - so many levels and angles of knowledge on this Board. From the lexical stuff to highly individual viewpoints, discoveries and taste-examples. You, for natural reasons being closer to the source, fx had chances to experience and gather things totally out of my reach. If I have discovered a plastic bridge, a wooden saddle or a weird burst, its great to exchange them with a couple of your secrets - that (too) must be what this place is about.