Hummingbird acoustic imitators. Epiphone, Suzuki, Hondo, Sigma, Yamaha, up to Gibson...

Creed_Clicks · June 2021

Seems to be so many imitations of the Gibson Hummingbird, easily found at nearly every price category. While they all might look like the real thing online, are the neck profiles all different, and depend on the brand etc.
I used a Gibson once for recording and the neck was definitely the nicest acoustic neck I played. Felt comfy like an electric guitar.
Any folk play the imitations, or copies if you want to call them that!

Andy79 · June 2021

I have a Yamaha FG300. A copy in looks only but a fine guitar non the less. Almost a V shaped neck and a slightly thinner body. It’s remained with me for years whilst others have come and gone because it’s a dam good guitar

Creed_Clicks · June 2021

I guess it's a case of playing them, the old fashioned way!

Andy79 · June 2021

That Inspired by Gibson Epiphone looks the ticket. Someone on here I’m sure had one and loved it.

chrisj1602 · July 2021

Andy79 said:

That Inspired by Gibson Epiphone looks the ticket. Someone on here I’m sure had one and loved it.

I’ve got the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J45 and it’s a fantastic guitar, I’d definitely check out the Hummingbird.

Mellish · September 2021

I've had 2 Hummingbird Modern Classics. If you find a good one, it'll compare well to a Martin, say. I've never tried a copy but if you like the tone, playability and feel, go for it. But do try before you buy, regardless of brand name.

BGG · September 2021

Sigma

hollywoodrox · September 2021

I usually look for cheap copies on eBay and fb marketplace I foolishly sold my epiphone about 4 years ago as I mainly play electric but would like something cheap that looks “Keefy “ to play wild horses , Angie , etc on preferably in that nice cherry sunburst not much bargain basement stuff about though eg £100 + postage

Pete and the other guy do some good reviews on the epiphone pro and the sigma, the sigma is awesome and the epiphone inspired by is Pretty amazing . The epiphone SJ equivalent seems really good if you dig that,but I’ve always loved the hummingbird .

That j45 is ace ,the slash one is too

hollywoodrox · September 2021

The Yamaha fg820 830 series in autumn burst look good

Creed_Clicks · September 2021

I’d like to check out one of the Sigmas sometime

hollywoodrox · September 2021

Creed_Clicks said:

I’d like to check out one of the Sigmas sometime

They seem really nice

Creed_Clicks · January 2022

Seagull sold, so officially back on the acoustic hunt again. Hummingbird type Sigma is one I have my eye on, but so much choice...
e.g. Epi Hummingbird Studio.

bertie · January 2022

serious question - whats the difference between a Hummingbird and a Dove ? purely the scratchplate ?

DavidR · January 2022

I've never played a Hummingbird so I don't know if it should be the gold standard for Sitka/Mahogany square-shouldered dreadnoughts. There are lots of lovely similar guitars.

My Yamaha FG5 is very nice (and very cheaper!). So I would recommend that as a competitor.

Mellish · January 2022

The Bird (if you find a good one) is a magical thing. I've had two, one of which was a true keeper. If only I'd known back then! @bertie not sure as I've never had a Dove. Possible differences under the hood? Better grade of woods?

Image: /plugins/EmojiExtender/emoji/fb/1.gif

Creed_Clicks · January 2022

The reason I am considering the Gibson Humminbird knockoff is I am hoping the neck on the imitations are a similar profile. The Gibson one I played felt almost like playing an electric guitar.
I see the Sigma has a slightly wider nut than the Epiphone. I'd prefer to find one without any pickups. I am not a huge fan of the under saddle pickups, I'd rather put something in the soundhole.
My head is turned by the Yamaha parlors as well. You go down that rabbit hole and you can consider Guild etc.

lovestrat74 · January 2022

I tried one of the PRS SE parlour guitars and the neck felt great. Many people have compare the profile to more of an electric guitar profile than a traditional acoustic. Very playable guitar indeed .

Snags · January 2022

@bertie

The Gibson Hummingbird’s back and side are made of mahogany, whereas the back and side of the Gibson Dove are made of flame maple
The Gibson Dove’s scale length is 25.5 inches, whereas the scale length on the Hummingbird is 24.75 inches

Those appear to be the material differences in terms of sound/playing. There are cosmetic ones too.

Taken from: https://guitarspace.org/acoustic-guitars/gibson-dove-vs-hummingbird/ with no attempt to check accuracy

bertie · January 2022

@Snags ; - thanks

24.75 for a Dread ! bet that adds some bottom end

BigPaulie · January 2022

I imagine the similarities between an actual Gibson Hummingbird and most of the copies extends to cosmetics alone.

Most of them are laminate back and sides.
Some of them don't even use mahogany for back and sides.
Many of them have 25.5" scale length.
Hardly any (none?) of them are nitro finished.
Some of the Japanese "vintage" or "law suit era" ones have zero frets and/or bolt in necks.
If manufacturers are willing to bastardise the design to that extent, God knows what bracing types/patterns they'll use.
The neck profiles will almost definitely be different.

The list goes on...

So if it's just the "look" of a Hummingbird you're after, there's endless choice. If you want a guitar that actually is a Hummingbird, the IBG Epiphone is as close as you'll get (nitro and neck profile notwithstanding) without spending $$$

BigPaulie · January 2022

Creed_Clicks said:

The reason I am considering the Gibson Humminbird knockoff is I am hoping the neck on the imitations are a similar profile. The Gibson one I played felt almost like playing an electric guitar.

I've never known any copy of a classic design to go to the trouble of getting the neck profile right.

Even Epiphone neck profiles are rather dissimilar to that on the equivalent Gibson guitar.

Come to think of it, neck profiles from Gibson to Gibson (on the same model) can be quite different. Especially on vintage models.

Creed_Clicks · January 2022

@BigPaulie more a similar neck profile, not so much a hummingbird as such. I also liked the big baby taylor neck profile, but it's a longer scale I think v the cheap HB copies. If the Epi neck profile is close enough, I'd be happy.

BigPaulie · January 2022

You really need to try them out I'm afraid.

Just because one guitar looks like another is no indication of similarities in other areas, including neck profiles.

I doubt Epiphone have given much, if any, thought to making their neck profile similar to Gibson's. In my experience they differ significantly.

bertie · January 2022

BigPaulie said:

So if it's just the "look" of a Hummingbird you're after, there's endless choice. If you want a guitar that actually is a Hummingbird, the IBG Epiphone is as close as you'll get (nitro and neck profile notwithstanding) without spending $$$

back in the late 70s I had a cheapo black HB copy (Lorenzo ?) , the lacquer was so thick you could have used it, underwater for 6 months with no issue

Creed_Clicks · January 2022

BigPaulie said:

You really need to try them out I'm afraid.

Yep I think this is unavoidable, especially with acoustics I think...

TINMAN82 · January 2022

It’s such a specific thing, the hummingbird. I’d save for a Gibson. The current line natural finish ones look great.

Mellish · January 2022

TINMAN82 said:

It’s such a specific thing, the hummingbird. I’d save for a Gibson. The current line natural finish ones look great.

I agree. I know it isn't always possible but, if you can, go for the real thing. Mine were sunburst and I loved them so much. Unfortunately I had to sell to pay bills. It broke my heart

lovestrat74 · January 2022

What about a J45? I played a beat up old 70s one once and I regret not buying it. Great neck and I liked the shorter scale length too.

ICBM · January 2022

bertie said:

serious question - whats the difference between a Hummingbird and a Dove ? purely the scratchplate ?

No - that's about the *least* of the differences

.

Body wood - mahogany (HB) vs maple (Dove).
Neck wood - mahogany (HB) vs maple (Dove - although the 'Dove Original' also uses mahogany)
Scale length - 24.75" (HB) vs 25.5" (Dove)

The Dove has a deeper, more scooped tone and a tighter, more punchy attack.

guitarjack66 · January 2022

Creed_Clicks said:

The reason I am considering the Gibson Humminbird knockoff is I am hoping the neck on the imitations are a similar profile. The Gibson one I played felt almost like playing an electric guitar.
I see the Sigma has a slightly wider nut than the Epiphone. I'd prefer to find one without any pickups. I am not a huge fan of the under saddle pickups, I'd rather put something in the soundhole.
My head is turned by the Yamaha parlors as well. You go down that rabbit hole and you can consider Guild etc.

Its nice to hear that Sigma have a wider nut than the Epiphones as I had a mid range Epi and the neck was a bit narrow for my liking. Sigma is a brand that has been catching my eye the more I read about it and they have a very affordable range.

bertie · February 2022

there's one on Marketplace (Brum) now for £1800

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

Hummingbird acoustic imitators. Epiphone, Suzuki, Hondo, Sigma, Yamaha, up to Gibson...

Comments