| In the world of fine musical instruments, the Gibson | | | | instruments were made with maple back and sides in |
| Hummingbird acoustic guitar is not the oldest in the | | | | 1962 and part of 1963. A natural finish option was |
| company's line. It isn't the most expensive guitar | | | | offered in 1963 and at least two other color/finish |
| available, electric or acoustic. But this classic design is | | | | designs were offered in the 1990s. The original line of |
| more than popular with musicians and collectors. It's | | | | Gibson Hummingbird acoustic was discontinued in 1995, |
| desirable and highly prized when it becomes part of a | | | | after a 35-year run. But the name lives on to its 50th |
| personal collection. | | | | year with new models, including the Gibson |
| What's the real story behind the Hummingbird | | | | Hummingbird True Vintage offered as a new guitar for |
| acoustic? How did it become not only one of the most | | | | around $3,900. |
| popular guitars in the company's catalogue but also | | | | In the last 15 years this guitar model is simply known as |
| one of the most desirable instruments among both | | | | Hummingbird. The guitar has been "tweaked" several |
| professionals and amateurs? The best place to start is | | | | times, with a 1963 re-issue model called the Century |
| at the beginning. The Gibson Hummingbird acoustic | | | | and a Montana Special offered in the mid-1990s. As |
| guitar was introduced in 1960, which means it is | | | | you research and look for the Gibson Hummingbird |
| celebrating its 50th year of existence in 2010. | | | | acoustic, keep in mind that knowledgeable collectors |
| The original models were 16 inches wide, designed in | | | | and guitar historians feel the quality of many Gibson |
| the square-shoulder dreadnought fashion. This | | | | guitars dropped off around 1968 or 1969. The |
| separated the Hummingbird guitar from the | | | | company introduced a number of new models, with |
| round-shoulder models and from the jumbo body | | | | names and features designed to capture public |
| design that is seen with the J-200. Key elements of | | | | attention. |
| the early Hummingbirds were: two distinct points on the | | | | It wasn't until the mid-1980s that the company began to |
| pick guard, which of course featured the signature | | | | pay attention to quality first and moved away from |
| bird-and-flower motif; mahogany back and sides; | | | | trying a lot of new names and models. The later |
| bound rosewood fingerboard; gold-plated hardware; | | | | Gibson Hummingbird acoustic guitar (late '80s into the |
| and a cherry sunburst finish. | | | | '90s) might actually be better instruments, in a general |
| Most historical information about the Gibson | | | | sense. Only buy playing one and looking at it closely |
| Hummingbird acoustic guitar shows that some | | | | can you really tell. |