Early 60's reissue hummingbird neck profile question.

[MikeThomasmusic]

Hi, a few years back I purchased a late 90's early 60's hummingbird reissue. I have heard these can be kind of hit or miss as far as the sound quality goes? Well I have to say mine is sounding fantastic these days! It sounded great when I acquired it about 5 or 6 years ago, but man this thing is aging nicely and the nitro is starting to get a bunch of those cool lacquer checks everywhere. Any how I am a very experienced player with tons of knowledge. For many years I worked in the instrument business, and although I am not as familiar with Gibson acoustics as I am with other brands I was wondering about the neck profile on my early 60's reissue bird? I have owned a few Martins and Taylors over the years, as well as owning several Gibson archtops over the years, both new and old. I have to say this early hummingbird reissue that I have has one of the most unique neck profiles I have ever owned/played. Can anyone shed some light? The neck feels almost like it is really,really flat and wide. Rather than the common C shape curve or in some cases V shape necks, it almost seems like this

---______--- if that kind of shows any indication? Like I said it extremely flat and it took some getting used to when I first purchased it. The neck isn't thick like a fat 50's baseball type neck but rather wide and flat the other way from the top binding to the lower binding. The neck is very different, nothing like a traditional acoustic neck from say Martin or even cheap yamahas. I have even played a few other Gibson acoustics and they have more of a regular Martin type of acoustic neck. Any help just explaining the neck and any details regarding its design and history would be greatly appreciated. i did a serial number search and it appear mine was made in 1998 if that matters. I love the sound of it, I must have gotten lucky because every friend of mine that plays it can not believe the sound. Any how thanks for any help,

Mike

[j45nick]

Don't assume that the necks on "re-issue" Gibsons necessarily replicate a specific neck profile from a specific period. The profile you describe almost sounds like a Luthier's Choice style neck. What is the width at the nut and the pin spacing at the bridge?

 

As far as I can tell, Gibson experimented with a lot of different neck profiles in the mid-1960's, including very flat, shallow profiles, but those are often associated with very narrow necks as well. I have a 1968 ES 335 with one of these narrow, flat necks. The modern Luthier's Choice neck, however, is quite wide and fairly shallow. If it were a conventional C, D, or V shape, you might have a hard time getting your hand around it.

 

Next time you change strings, measure the neck depth at the 1st, 6th, and 10th frets, and perhaps make a template of the section at the 6th so we can get an idea of what shape you are talking about. You can take off the shape using a conventional template gauge, but you may want to protect that area of the neck with a layer of tape before doing it.

[E-minor7]

Hi, a few years back I purchased a late 90's early 60's hummingbird reissue. I have heard these can be kind of hit or miss as far as the sound quality goes? Well I have to say mine is sounding fantastic these days! It sounded great when I acquired it about 5 or 6 years ago, but man this thing is aging nicely and the nitro is starting to get a bunch of those cool lacquer checks everywhere. Any how I am a very experienced player with tons of knowledge. For many years I worked in the instrument business, and although I am not as familiar with Gibson acoustics as I am with other brands I was wondering about the neck profile on my early 60's reissue bird? I have owned a few Martins and Taylors over the years, as well as owning several Gibson archtops over the years, both new and old. I have to say this early hummingbird reissue that I have has one of the most unique neck profiles I have ever owned/played. Can anyone shed some light? The neck feels almost like it is really,really flat and wide. Rather than the common C shape curve or in some cases V shape necks, it almost seems like this

---______--- if that kind of shows any indication? Like I said it extremely flat and it took some getting used to when I first purchased it. The neck isn't thick like a fat 50's baseball type neck but rather wide and flat the other way from the top binding to the lower binding. The neck is very different, nothing like a traditional acoustic neck from say Martin or even cheap yamahas. I have even played a few other Gibson acoustics and they have more of a regular Martin type of acoustic neck. Any help just explaining the neck and any details regarding its design and history would be greatly appreciated. i did a serial number search and it appear mine was made in 1998 if that matters. I love the sound of it, I must have gotten lucky because every friend of mine that plays it can not believe the sound. Any how thanks for any help,

Mike

Sounds great and welcome -

 

I think I know what you mean by the 'flat' Hummingbird neck and tend to believe and see it as a part of the H-bird success, magic, if you allow. Is it fair to compare with an electric neck more than other acoustics ? That's my general experience with Birds and SJ's - and actually my Firebird Custom too (an acoustic maple G. in case you don't know the model).

Of course there is a chance yours could be something completely 'third' and it would be pretty hard to illustrate the precise shape of that late 90's flier.

 

But still – why not show us a few pics from the best angles and if possible add a sound clip.

 

It would be Christmas-milk for many cats around here. Keep beeping -

[E-minor7]

Another thing - Have you measured the scale length, is it a 24,75 ?

 

Like this one - http://www.acousticg...ad.php?t=154419 - notice post 9.

[EuroAussie]

Sounds like the neck of porifle of my 69' Bird, in other words a very low, thin oval profile.

 

Not a big fan of it to be honest, prefer the more chunkier variety.