The Hummingbird That Doesn't Break the Bank
Walk into any studio session from the last sixty years and you've probably heard a Hummingbird somewhere in the mix — strumming away on a folk classic, driving a country anthem, or adding warmth to a rock ballad. The Gibson Hummingbird Special brings you that square-shouldered icon at a more accessible price point, built right alongside Gibson's premium models in Bozeman, Montana. It starts with the same foundation as the original: a solid Sitka spruce top reinforced with traditional scalloped X-bracing, paired with solid mahogany back and sides. The difference? A slightly thinner "concert depth" body that delivers a leaner, tighter bass response — perfect for sitting in a mix and easier to hold during long sessions.
This one comes finished in satin nitrocellulose lacquer — a thin, breathable finish that lets the wood resonate more freely than heavy gloss coats. You get an LR Baggs Element Bronze under-saddle pickup with an easy-access soundhole-mounted volume control, so you're stage-ready the moment you plug in. The utile neck has Gibson's comfortable Round profile with a 12" radius rosewood fretboard, and those iconic pearloid parallelogram inlays make it instantly recognizable as a Hummingbird.
Whether you're a songwriter looking for that dry, articulate Gibson sound, a performer who needs reliable amplified tone, or someone who just wants a USA-made square-shoulder dreadnought that won't empty your wallet, the Hummingbird Special delivers. It's not trying to be flashy — it's trying to be the guitar you reach for every time.
Tonewood Foundation That Made the Hummingbird Famous
The Hummingbird Special features a solid Sitka spruce top with traditional scalloped X-bracing, paired with solid mahogany back and sides. This classic combination delivers a warm, balanced tone with excellent dynamic range that works for any style of music. Sitka spruce gives you clarity and projection with a touch-sensitive response — it opens up as you dig in and softens when you play gently. The solid mahogany body adds warmth and midrange punch, giving the Hummingbird that dry, crisp character Gibson acoustics are known for.
The concert depth body is slightly thinner than a standard Hummingbird, delivering a leaner and tighter bass response that sits perfectly in the mix while making the guitar more comfortable to hold. The ultra-thin satin nitrocellulose lacquer finish is far from a purely cosmetic choice — many players champion satin finishes for their feel and resonance. Less finish means the wood vibrates more freely, and the smooth matte texture feels great under your hands.
Playability and Hardware Built for the Long Haul
The utile neck is attached with a compound dovetail neck-to-body joint and affixed with hot hide glue, just like all Gibson acoustic guitars. This traditional construction method enhances sustain and resonance. The neck has a comfortable Round profile, and the rosewood fretboard features a 12" radius with pearloid parallelogram inlays — one of the visual hallmarks that makes the Hummingbird instantly recognizable. You get 20 standard frets, and the 24.75" scale length with a 1.725" nut width offers comfortable spacing for both strumming and fingerpicking.
The traditional belly-up rosewood bridge is equipped with a TUSQ saddle, and the nut and bridge pins are also TUSQ — a self-lubricating synthetic material that improves tuning stability and enhances tone transfer. Grover Rotomatic tuners with nickel plating provide rock-solid tuning stability, and the pickguard features simplified stamped Hummingbird graphics on a tortoise shell background. The LR Baggs Element Bronze pickup system captures the natural warmth and dynamics of the guitar with clear, articulate amplified tone.
Product Features:
- Solid Sitka spruce top with traditional scalloped X-bracing for clarity and projection
- Solid mahogany back and sides deliver warm, balanced tone with excellent dynamic range
- Concert depth square-shoulder dreadnought body — slightly thinner for tighter bass response and comfort
- Utile neck with Round profile and compound dovetail joint, affixed with hot hide glue
- Rosewood fretboard with 12" radius and pearloid parallelogram inlays, 20 frets
- 24.75" scale length with 1.725" nut width
- LR Baggs Element Bronze under-saddle pickup with soundhole-mounted volume control
- Traditional belly-up rosewood bridge with TUSQ saddle, nut, and bridge pins
- Grover Rotomatic tuners with nickel plating for reliable tuning stability
- Satin nitrocellulose lacquer finish in Vintage Cherry Sunburst
Brand: Gibson
Model: Hummingbird Special
SKU: MCSSHBSPCVCS
Condition: New
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