Gibson Hummingbird | Bob's Vintage Guitars

Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic Guitar

Written by vintage on January 15, 2009 – 11:55 am -

Gibson Hummingbird (1960 - present)

The Gibson Hummingbird is an acoustic guitar model produced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation. Unlike the other flat-top Gibson acoustics, the Hummingbird was Gibson's first square-shoulder dreadnought, similar to the dreadnoughts produced by C.F. Martin & Company. Introduced in 1960, the Hummingbird was Gibson's second-most expensive acoustic guitar, behind the Gibson J-200, until the introduction of the Gibson Dove in 1962, (a blend between the Hummingbird and the J-200.) The Hummingbird, features a mahogany back and sides, a decorative pickguard with a hummingbird design, and split-parallelogram mother of pearl fretboard and headstock inlays, spruce top and rosewood bridge. The standard finish is cherry sunburst, although some natural finish models were produced. The Gibson Hummingbird was winner of Acoustic Guitar's Player's Choice Award for the Dreadnought Category in 2000, and was described thus: "The Hummingbird has a very wide range of sound, from gutsy and loud, to sweet and soft. Superb for all styles of playing, whether just chording or playing intricate solo's".Vintage Guitar Price Values For 2007 :
1960 - 1962 > $4200 to $4700 (mahogany)
1963 - 1964 > $3800 to $4200 (maple optional)
1965 - 1968 > $2500 to $3500 (natural finishes were added in 65)
1969 - 1983 > $1500 to $2500
1984 - 1999 > $1200 to $1700

Gibson Hummingbird guitars made between 1960 – 1962 have increased in value an average of 15% per year since 2000. Those made in 1963 and 1964 have increased in value 11% per year; 1965 to 1968 7%; 1969-1983 5%; and 1999 3%.

Pre-65 models are very difficult to find and were made in limited quantities . Prices above are according to 4 different vintage guitar price guides and rounded off to the nearest dollar.