Is this hummingbird legit? URGENT

[Nikolaj2121]

Hello everyone

I need urgent help to make sure this humming bird is legit! All options is appreciated. Thanks in advance 

[DanvillRob]

Looks legit to me.

 

[Nikolaj2121]

1 minute ago, DanvillRob said:

Looks legit to me.

 

Hey Rob. What do you look for when you try to decide if its fake or not?

[RBSinTo]

20 minutes ago, DanvillRob said:

Looks legit to me.

 

I know virtually nothing about the minutae of Gibson acoustic guitars, but I do know that if I was going to take a non-Gibson and re-work it  to appear to be a genuine Gibson dreadnought Bird guitar, so I could sell it for some thousands of dollars, I would make it real looking enough that five photos posted on an internet site wouldn't allow someone to judge its authenticity.

RBSinTo

[E-minor7]

It looks fine - it's a Vintage version with adjustable (probably) tusq saddle. 
 

25 minutes ago, Nikolaj2121 said:

Hey Rob. What do you look for when you try to decide if its fake or not?

A bit of everything. You over-fly the creature and check it all. Nothing strrrange here. . 

[E-minor7]

Just now, E-minor7 said:

It looks fine - it's a Vintage version with adjustable (probably) tusq saddle. 
 

By Vintage I mean Vintage, not vintage. What we see is the contemporary Vintage model, which a few years back was called True Vintage. 

[E-minor7]

If it's on sale for a good price and you have the Bird-flu - MOVE !

[Nikolaj2121]

1 minute ago, E-minor7 said:

It looks fine - it's a Vintage version with adjustable (probably) tusq saddle. 
 

A bit of everything. You over-fly the creature and check it all. Nothing strrrange here. . 

What about the screws on the bridge is that normal? And what about the serial numbers, I think it looks a bit weird that the tuning pegs is going over the serial numbers.

[Sgt. Pepper]

I have no wings or a Lear Jet to fly over the creature, which is an inanimate object.

[Sgt. Pepper]

1 minute ago, Nikolaj2121 said:

What about the screws on the bridge is that normal? And what about the serial numbers, I think it looks a bit weird that the tuning pegs is going over the serial numbers.

It’s one of those adjustable bridges models that some like but many don’t.

[zombywoof]

Might be a Bozeman issued "1960 Hummingbird."  Ironically an original 1960 HB did not have an ADJ saddle bridge.  Go figure.  Anyway, you might want to do a search for that model and compare the photos you find. 

Edited December 26, 2021 by zombywoof

[E-minor7]

22 minutes ago, Nikolaj2121 said:

What about the screws on the bridge is that normal? And what about the serial numbers, I think it looks a bit weird that the tuning pegs is going over the serial numbers.

As said, it's the adjustable bridge/saddle concept - a replica of the originals from the 60s. Those oldies would have had either ceramic or rosewood inserts (the white saddle) - the one in question has a tusq version, which creates a different sound. You must be aware of this because the difference between the originals and the tusq is quite big - BUT MORE IMPORTANT, the difference between the adjustable and an ordinary 'modern' bone saddle is even bigger.  

If you haven't compared the 2 (3), it would be hazardous to buy it. You gotta know what you're after and what you do when goin' for a high-end guitar. Can you try out it live ?

[E-minor7]

21 minutes ago, zombywoof said:

Might be a Bozeman issued "1960 Hummingbird."  

Yes, right on.

21 minutes ago, zombywoof said:

Ironically an original 1960 HB did not have an ADJ saddle bridge.  Go figure.  

What, sir ⁉️ - can you elaborate or show pics. . 

[Nikolaj2121]

7 minutes ago, E-minor7 said:

As said, it's the adjustable bridge/saddle concept - a replica of the originals from the 60s. Those oldies would have had either ceramic or rosewood inserts (the white saddle) - the one in question has a tusq version, which creates a different sound. You must be aware of this because the difference between the originals and the tusq is quite big - BUT MORE IMPORTANT, the difference between the adjustable and an ordinary 'modern' bone saddle is even bigger.  

If you haven't compared the 2 (3), it would be hazardous to buy it. You gotta know what you're after and what you do when goin' for a high-end guitar. Can you try out it live ?

Yes I can try it live, however I just want a hummingbird. And this one is fairly cheap, so I just need to know if its legit. The serial number is: 03370025 is there anyway this can help me authenticate it? 

[DanvillRob]

1 hour ago, Nikolaj2121 said:

Hey Rob. What do you look for when you try to decide if its fake or not?

There are much better advisors in this forum than me....but I didn't see anything that would make me question it.

Not knowing the history, e.g. who's selling, cost, plays right, sounds right, etc...etc..etc...

 

[E-minor7]

2 hours ago, Nikolaj2121 said:

Yes I can try it live, however I just want a hummingbird. And this one is fairly cheap, so I just need to know if its legit. The serial number is: 03370025 is there anyway this can help me authenticate it? 

The # dates it to 2000, which surprises me as I didn't know Bozeman made adjustable bridges/saddles at that point and still see the guitar as recent product.                                                                                                                                                    In this way confused and sat back, I have to withdraw and watch wiser people chime in. Pardon. 

[62burst]

1 hour ago, E-minor7 said:

. . .  and still see the guitar as recent product.                                                                                                                                                    In this way confused and sat back, I have to withdraw and watch wiser 

Yes, it does look like a legit recent issue Hummingbird. Gibson had started doing the thin finish-thing like your 'Bird in question looks to have. That thin finish ends up giving an orange peel effect, rather than a high gloss shine. Are you sure that first digit hiding under the tuner isn't a "2" ?

[E-minor7]

2 hours ago, 62burst said:

Yes, it does look like a legit recent issue Hummingbird. Gibson had started doing the thin finish-thing like your 'Bird in question looks to have. That thin finish ends up giving an orange peel effect, rather than a high gloss shine. Are you sure that first digit hiding under the tuner isn't a "2" ?

Assume this is for Nikolaj.

Yet I thought the same thing,  though wondering 9 instead of 2. 

Edited December 27, 2021 by E-minor7

[bobouz]

The serial number you gave does indeed date to 2000.

A picture of the label would be helpful.  In 2000, the correct label would have the Gibson logo, with the words “Tone, Feel, Appearance” surrounding it in a circular manner.  It should be orange in color, and have a serial number matching the headstock.

In 2000, the standard production Hummingbird did not have an adjustable bridge, but a special order or limited run may have occurred.

[fortyearspickn]

Label looks like the orange version.    Everything looks legit.  Too many small details (tuners, pick guard, endpin, torque nut cover, finish, inlays, etc.) look right - and, to RBSin's point, would be too expensive to fake for the copier to turn a profit.   Only question I have - I don't see a 'Made In USA' stamp under the s/n.    Did Bozeman mis-align the s/n and decide to leave it off?   Depending on the price, I'd snap this one up.

[Boyd]

17 hours ago, E-minor7 said:

As said, it's the adjustable bridge/saddle concept - a replica of the originals from the 60s. Those oldies would have had either ceramic or rosewood inserts (the white saddle) - the one in question has a tusq version, which creates a different sound.

Looks exactly like the contemporary adjustable bridge on my 2020 J-50 60's original. I also have a real 1965 J-50 with a rosewood adjustable bridge. I really love the sound of the new guitar with the tusq saddle, but I don't know anything about Hummingbirds.

[zombywoof]

18 hours ago, E-minor7 said:

What, sir ⁉️ - can you elaborate or show pics. . 

You are right.  Brain fart on my part.  

Oddly though I have found over the past two years or so I have tended to lose interest in guitars. Maybe it is I cannot recall what it is I liked about them.  A month or so back I was in shop which had a  bunch of old guitars for sale including a Larson Brothers.  There was a time my brain would have immediately started to work out a strategy to get me that guitar.  But this time I just gave it a passing nod acknowledging it was a "nice guitar" as I walked out not giving it a second thought. 

[E-minor7]

3 hours ago, zombywoof said:

You are right.  Brain fart on my part.  

Oddly though I have found over the past two years or so I have tended to lose interest in guitars. Maybe it is I cannot recall what it is I liked about them.  A month or so back I was in shop which had a  bunch of old guitars for sale including a Larson Brothers.  There was a time my brain would have immediately started to work out a strategy to get me that guitar.  But this time I just gave it a passing nod acknowledging it was a "nice guitar" as I walked out not giving it a second thought. 

Just promise yourself this doesn't happen with the other birds - U know, the soft ones. 
 

And don't let your warehouse of knowledge evaporate into thin air. Haven't forgot you were my first guide in the maze of the squares over a decade ago. Still appreciated.  

[JWG4927]

9 hours ago, zombywoof said:

Oddly though I have found over the past two years or so I have tended to lose interest in guitars. Maybe it is I cannot recall what it is I liked about them.

Maybe you've been losing interest in guitars, but at least that doesn't stop you from still talking about them.

5 hours ago, E-minor7 said:

Just promise yourself this doesn't happen with the other birds - U know, the soft ones. 
 

Maybe it's like sex, less happening, but more talking about it.

[tpbiii]

This is from a 1962 HB. 

I am no expert on modern Gibson "Vintage Models."

I do have 50+ old Gibsons -- mostly 1900-1954, but a few 60s.  I can't tell for sure what this is.  My guess is it a new Gibson "Vintage" model -- they build a dizzying  number of those, almost none with actual correct vintage features.

Best,

-Tom