Jump to content
Gibson Brands Forums

Hummingbird Owners. Which pick thickness is your preference for that nectar tone?


ALD323

Recommended Posts

21 minutes ago, PatriotsBiker said:

I wrote above that they(the Silver ones) were aggressive in nature, but were controllable. Basically, If I got sloppy with volume control, they could get too loud in quick fashion.   

The grip is so good do to the sticky nectar on the picks. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/17/2020 at 2:02 PM, MissouriPicker said:

Nice version of “Hurt.”  Good vibe with the bird and your vocal.

 

Thanks a lot Larry, it was a long, long time ago, good to hear from ya ..

Just on the topic, i recall this specific video is what fired up my desire for the Hummingbird orginally, some 12 yeras ago or so.  Dunno exactly what i love about this clip, but its a mix of that rocky mid range sound , the nectar dripping on those single note lines and that cut through in the rhythm ... or maybe just the shitty qualty video that kinda gave that tone .. but anyways, i find it captures that Humminbird blend of laid back folkiness and rock grit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpDueO5bxqU

 

Edited by EuroAussie
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/14/2020 at 10:28 PM, E-minor7 said:

The Herco Flex 50 does it for me. 

rb24LDs.jpg Medium - a harder pick is too loud to develop the percussive touch, which is the secret ingredient in the nectarish voice. 

!! hold it a bit loose and don't play too heavy. 

 

UPDATE: I ordered these Herco Flex 50 picks for the Hummingbird to see if they would help bring out the so called nectar tone so often talked about. They did and they work well, and I  like the gold bronze color and feel and tone of the Herco!  I also like the Dunlop light grey .60 picks for this as well as the Fender thins. All three seem to work well with the Herco having just a tad deeper tone overall...the Fender thins a lighter tone, and the Dunlop .60 falls somewhere in between my ears tell me....but honey with all three in varying degrees.  And so all three seem to produce the honey pretty well when held and used correctly.  Holding but not squeezing the pick helps...a lighter strike attack helps greatly also letting the pick tip brush and glide over the strings vs the slightly harder attack I was using on the J-45. All in all I have indeed discovered that tone I had been craving from my bird but was just not getting. I had been using a harder pick, and striking too hard, and not remembering to use the picks nearer toward the bridge when I want these tones. I had also been using Dunlop Ultex .73, and also Fender Mediums. Those will still likely be my go to pics on the J-45, while the Hummingbird, I will stay with the nylons or the thin fender as they all sound really nice. Thanks all for your help!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, ALD323 said:

UPDATE: I ordered these Herco Flex 50 picks for the Hummingbird to see if they would help bring out the so called nectar tone so often talked about. They did and they work well, and I  like the gold bronze color and feel and tone of the Herco!  I also like the Dunlop light grey .60 picks for this as well as the Fender thins. All three seem to work well with the Herco having just a tad deeper tone overall...the Fender thins a lighter tone, and the Dunlop .60 falls somewhere in between my ears tell me....but honey with all three in varying degrees.  And so all three seem to produce the honey pretty well when held and used correctly.  Holding but not squeezing the pick helps...a lighter strike attack helps greatly also letting the pick tip brush and glide over the strings vs the slightly harder attack I was using on the J-45. All in all I have indeed discovered that tone I had been craving from my bird but was just not getting. I had been using a harder pick, and striking too hard, and not remembering to use the picks nearer toward the bridge when I want these tones. I had also been using Dunlop Ultex .73, and also Fender Mediums. Those will still likely be my go to pics on the J-45, while the Hummingbird, I will stay with the nylons or the thin fender as they all sound really nice. Thanks all for your help!

Sounds great ^ glad you came closer to the precious N, , , and I'm almost sure there'll be more of it now that you have found out where to look.                                                                                                                                                                     The right touch will do the rest.  Enjoy

9qYxWF9.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's great, ALD323. My Herco 50s came in as well. I've tried all 4 out on my SJ-200 so far and there are differences with that one as with the others. I'm glad you started this thread. I'm going to need a bigger pick bowl. 🙂  Hummingbird week is getting closer.....

On a side note, by pure chance, I read this week that Pete Townsend used Herco Heavy picks for a while. Not that it matters for this discussion...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, PatriotsBiker said:

That's great, ALD323. My Herco 50s came in as well. I've tried all 4 out on my SJ-200 so far and there are differences with that one as with the others. I'm glad you started this thread. I'm going to need a bigger pick bowl. 🙂  Hummingbird week is getting closer.....

On a side note, by pure chance, I read this week that Pete Townsend used Herco Heavy picks for a while. Not that it matters for this discussion...

Yes Patriot, I heard Townsend and Neil Young as well..both used this pick.! I love the Hummingbird nectar so much that I actually just SOLD my 2013 Hummingbird and bought a brand new Vintage Cherry 2020 Hummingbird Standard!!!  ( I prefer standard models on Gibsons)....but Wow...😬these picks really cost me!!!🤑 lol....  I'm sure a new or used Hummingbird would go great with your SJ-200!!!  Mine sits along side my J-45 standard. Gibsons are just sheer magic.  

Edited by ALD323
Link to comment
Share on other sites

51 minutes ago, ALD323 said:

Yes Patriot, I heard Townsend and Neil Young as well..both used this pick.! I love the Hummingbird nectar so much that I actually just SOLD my 2013 Hummingbird and bought a brand new Vintage Cherry 2020 Hummingbird Standard!!!  ( I prefer standard models on Gibsons)....but Wow...😬these picks really cost me!!!🤑 lol....  I'm sure a new or used Hummingbird would go great with your SJ-200!!!  Mine sits along side my J-45 standard. Gibsons are just sheer magic.  

🙂 🙂 🙂 Indeed, it does!  I am very fortunate to have a 2018 Standard. It's my Wife's favorite of my guitars, so it stays out on the stand longer than others. 🙂

Link to comment
Share on other sites

42 minutes ago, 62burst said:

Took a while to spot it, but all are represented there.

It stood still there for quite a while, , , for some reason attracted to the 12th fret.  Well, still and still, , , the little birdy was air-dancing in sheer joy. . 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

when i bought my used 50th anniversary hummingbird, the shop provided a dunlop pick, this one: https://www.jimdunlop.com/celluloid-shell-pick-heavy/

and i found that it brings the honey feel you talk about...  i found that celluloid is the equivalent of my real tortoise shell on my electric, the best pick you can dream about... 

i tried other "plastic" pick but they don't sound the same, cheaper...

the heavy size is cool when you need to force a little on the strings, but to be honest i use one of the two round sides instead of the sharp one to get the mellow-ness..

so you know, i use PB d'addario EJ16 or EXP16, i hate 80/20 on my Hummingbird... loose the hummy sound...

Ben

Edited by strat71
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, QuakerOatmeal said:

 I have this guitar and I love it. I use a Dunlop Primetone Grip .88 picks
I wish this model got more attention! I'd love to see the acoustic letter review it, or andertons!

You are a lucky guy, , , and why not review it yourself.

Btw. is it as orange in real life as seen in the video

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, E-minor7 said:

You are a lucky guy, , , and why not review it yourself.

Btw. is it as orange in real life as seen in the video

Photos taken this past week when I changed the string and polished her up ! It's more like a reddish brown, or dark brown pumpkin maybe.

Unfortunately, I'm honestly not qualified  enough, to do a review xD

Side note- it's the best smelling guitar I have ever whiffed.

hummingbird.jpg

hummingbird2.jpg

Edited by QuakerOatmeal
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, QuakerOatmeal said:

Photos taken this past week when I changed the string and polished her up ! It's more like a reddish brown, or dark brown pumpkin maybe.
Unfortunately, I'm honestly not qualified  enough, to do a review xD
Side note- it's the best smelling guitar I have ever whiffed.

It's beautiful, , , and a lot like the Vintage and True Vintage models. Guess back'n'sides are  darker too.  Enjoy the smell - it won't last forever. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

Thin Picks give a brighter tone on all Guitars.. What you call the Nectar tone. Medium Picks are less Bright & Heavy Picks are even less Bright on all Guitars… The thicker the Pick the thicker the Sound.

 

Edited by Larsongs
Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 hours ago, WineredHB said:

Do I understand it correctly: this nectar tone is to be heard acoustically, or picked up with a microphone. Or is it also possible with the Baggs pickup? Do you use the same picks with the pickup, or harder?

The attractive nectar or honey glaze is primarily an acoustic phenomenon. It can be recorded with an extern mike, but thins out with the L.R. Baggs.                                                                                                                                                          A PA system may not leave too many chances - especially not in a bigger venue. 

Then again there's no sweet-N-formula carved in granite. You must go by your own ears and 'hear your way forward'. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Have fun

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...