Gibson Hummingbird Artist Acoustic-Electric Guitar  

I've had my Hummingbird Artist for a few years now, and I will say this guitar grows on you over time...it's not a 'cannon' as the term goes, but it has a nice, well balanced sound.  I have it in my office and use it regularly when I'm working out a song.  I think the mahoghany back and sides lend to it's midrange balanced tone.  The electronics are superb and make it come alive when run through a PA or acoustic amp. Visually it's a striking guitar to look at(l love the inlays); as far as quality, Gibson fell in this one category--on the top of the guitar you can see where the workman sanded too deep, showing diagonal sanding marks in the finish on one side!  No excuse for this!  On the flip side, the amberburst finish is superb and looks like a desert sunrise.  I got this guitar for literally cost, so I can live with those imperfections on the top; you can only see them if you look close.  Yet I still think almost 2K for this guitar is too much. It has a tone all it's own, and sounds better with strings that have been on for awhile.   It is not a guitar that does it all, but combined with excellent LR Baggs electronics, it still sings...Gibson's are not consistent in quality, so before you buy, try....

I just got mine about a week ago and I was pleasantly surprised about a few things. First, the color is much better looking than the pics. The pics make it look darker than it really is. The specs say it's cherryburst, but it looks more like a honey color to me, anyway it's much better than I thought. Also, there wasn't a single flaw with the finish either. Usually from Gibson (at least with my guitars), the binding will have a flaw or two, especially by the nut and where the neck and body meet. It also said that the tuners were Gotoh keystones with white keys, but mine came with Grover Deluxe keystones with tan keys. Even with the new stock Gibson Masterbuilt strings, this thing stays in tune better than any other acoustic guitar I have. Finally, the sound is absolutely great. I was pretty sure it would sound good, but not this good. I have a Martin HD-28, a Gibson Southern Jumbo True Vintage, a Gibson SJ-150,and a Martin D-41. I'm seriously thinking of selling a couple of these, if not all of them, which were all more expensive guitars. If you're thinking about getting one, I think it's worth it. I've read some negative reviews, and maybe Gibson had a bad day or something, because mine is perfect. The set-up was actually pretty good too, which is another thing I've had problems with from Gibson in the past. You can't beat this guitar, especially for the price. I have $3,000 guitars that don't sound this good. $1,999 is a great value.

I bought a Gibson Hummingbird Artist from Musician's Friend on-line. Later I noticed that Guitar Center was running a special on the Hummingbird at $200 less. I notified MF and they immediately credited my account. Recently the guitar developed a crack on the soundboard--I returned it to Gibson and was given a brand new Hummingbird at no cost. Moral: Buy Gibson from Musician's Friend. Well Played, MF and Gibson!

I have owned this guitar for 3 weeks and it's a very easy playing joy. A very lively tone that does it all. I have a 1998 CL20 which is also a Bozeman made guitar and they are both very simular to the Songwriter. Anyone that's considering this guitar won't be disappointed.