Gibson Hummingbird Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1963)
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Gibson Hummingbird Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1963), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 139864, sunburst top, natural back and sides finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, period black hard shell case.
This is a fairly clean early example of the classic Gibson Hummingbird, one of the company's most distinctive 1960s flat top creations. This fancy decorated cherry sunburst acoustic was built in 1963; the model was introduced in late 1960. This was Gibson's first square-shoulder Dreadnought, nearly three decades after the company's venerable round-shoulder Gibson Jumbos first appeared. This new model was positioned above those in Gibson's line, but below the super flashy 17" J-200. With a nod to Martin's popular Dreadnought shape this new Gibson was timed right for the folk-era acoustic boom; it quickly became a very popular model and the even fancier square-shouldered Dove was added to the line in 1962.
This Hummingbird dates to 1963, a year which saw 1364 shipped from Kalamazoo, the model's high total for the decade. The boxy body shape may have been inspired by Martin but the look is Gibson all the way. The multi-bound top has a subtly shaded cherry sunburst over nice tight grain spruce. The mahogany neck, sides and back have a light cherry stain fading to a natural look. A distinctive "hummingbird in flight" pattern is engraved on the large tortoise celluloid pickguard and filled with yellow toner creating a unique look. The mahogany neck has a 25 1/4 scale, longer than most Gibson flat tops, with a bound double parallelogram inlaid rosewood fingerboard. The rosewood bridge has the adjustable saddle construction Gibson made increasingly ubiquitous at the time as a hedge against warranty repairs. The tuners are individual Kluson Deluxe machines.
The Hummingbird was a ground breaking design for Gibson, opening up a new chapter in the company's flat-top history. "A fabulous new acoustical guitar" Gibson's catalog blurb read "one of the finest ever made for voice accompaniment". While a large-bodied guitar, it was not as flat-out powerful or wide-range sounding as many 1930s and '40s Gibson flat tops. Generally the model offers a sweet but tight midrange-rich sound that makes them ideal as recording guitars for rock bands, a role they still are prized for today.
The Rolling Stones in particular became associated with the model, Keith Richards having been duly immortalized with one on the inside cover of the HIGH TIDE AND GREEN GRASS best-of collection issued in March 1966. This early Hummingbird is ideal for that role as well as songwriting and recording in general, and can also light up any stage. This is a nicely preserved example that has been well played but well cared for; it remains a lovely guitar to play, hear or even just admire.
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 15 13/16 in. (40.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 15/16 in. (12.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/4 in. (641 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
Overall this early 'bird remains in nice shape, a relatively clean original Hummingbird from the best era for these square shoulder Gibsons. The cherry sunburst on the top appears to have faded a bit but was likely pretty subtle to begin with. The original finish shows typical checking with some small dings, dents and scrapes overall. There is a larger patched ding/dent on the lower side at the turn of the upper treble bout. The back of the neck has the most wear with some fairly random feelable larger capo dings and chipped finish to the from the first to the seventh fret area. The back of the neck also has typical fading to the cherry stain from the hand contact, while the headstock face shows minor chipping in a couple of spots.
The top shows one tiny repaired stress crack between the fingerboard extension and soundhole edge, neatly sealed and cleated. Internally the guitar remains unaltered original with numerous cleanly done brace reglues; the large maple bridge plate is original and in good shape. The bridge with an adjustable rosewood saddle is intact including all the bolts and hardware; it was reglued in 2005 (the receipt is still in the case). The gold Kluson tulip-button tuners remain original and quite clean.
The neck has never had or needed a reset. The frets appear original or a very old refret; in either case have been crowned down somewhat with the ends rolled in more than factory spec; they show some light wear but still play well. This Hummingbird overall is a very good player with the chunky, midrangey sound these are known for; overall this is one of the better preserved 1960's 'birds we have had. It resides in a period Martin HSC, well traveled and worn, with the handle replaced and covered in some stickers from various eras. It includes a nifty postcard from Gibson in 1979 confirming the 1963 date of the guitar. Overall Very Good + Condition.
This is a fairly clean early example of the classic Gibson Hummingbird, one of the company's most distinctive 1960s flat top creations. This fancy decorated cherry sunburst acoustic was built in 1963; the model was introduced in late 1960. This was Gibson's first square-shoulder Dreadnought, nearly three decades after the company's venerable round-shoulder Gibson Jumbos first appeared. This new model was positioned above those in Gibson's line, but below the super flashy 17" J-200. With a nod to Martin's popular Dreadnought shape this new Gibson was timed right for the folk-era acoustic boom; it quickly became a very popular model and the even fancier square-shouldered Dove was added to the line in 1962.
This Hummingbird dates to 1963, a year which saw 1364 shipped from Kalamazoo, the model's high total for the decade. The boxy body shape may have been inspired by Martin but the look is Gibson all the way. The multi-bound top has a subtly shaded cherry sunburst over nice tight grain spruce. The mahogany neck, sides and back have a light cherry stain fading to a natural look. A distinctive "hummingbird in flight" pattern is engraved on the large tortoise celluloid pickguard and filled with yellow toner creating a unique look. The mahogany neck has a 25 1/4 scale, longer than most Gibson flat tops, with a bound double parallelogram inlaid rosewood fingerboard. The rosewood bridge has the adjustable saddle construction Gibson made increasingly ubiquitous at the time as a hedge against warranty repairs. The tuners are individual Kluson Deluxe machines.
The Hummingbird was a ground breaking design for Gibson, opening up a new chapter in the company's flat-top history. "A fabulous new acoustical guitar" Gibson's catalog blurb read "one of the finest ever made for voice accompaniment". While a large-bodied guitar, it was not as flat-out powerful or wide-range sounding as many 1930s and '40s Gibson flat tops. Generally the model offers a sweet but tight midrange-rich sound that makes them ideal as recording guitars for rock bands, a role they still are prized for today.
The Rolling Stones in particular became associated with the model, Keith Richards having been duly immortalized with one on the inside cover of the HIGH TIDE AND GREEN GRASS best-of collection issued in March 1966. This early Hummingbird is ideal for that role as well as songwriting and recording in general, and can also light up any stage. This is a nicely preserved example that has been well played but well cared for; it remains a lovely guitar to play, hear or even just admire.
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 15 13/16 in. (40.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 15/16 in. (12.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/4 in. (641 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
Overall this early 'bird remains in nice shape, a relatively clean original Hummingbird from the best era for these square shoulder Gibsons. The cherry sunburst on the top appears to have faded a bit but was likely pretty subtle to begin with. The original finish shows typical checking with some small dings, dents and scrapes overall. There is a larger patched ding/dent on the lower side at the turn of the upper treble bout. The back of the neck has the most wear with some fairly random feelable larger capo dings and chipped finish to the from the first to the seventh fret area. The back of the neck also has typical fading to the cherry stain from the hand contact, while the headstock face shows minor chipping in a couple of spots.
The top shows one tiny repaired stress crack between the fingerboard extension and soundhole edge, neatly sealed and cleated. Internally the guitar remains unaltered original with numerous cleanly done brace reglues; the large maple bridge plate is original and in good shape. The bridge with an adjustable rosewood saddle is intact including all the bolts and hardware; it was reglued in 2005 (the receipt is still in the case). The gold Kluson tulip-button tuners remain original and quite clean.
The neck has never had or needed a reset. The frets appear original or a very old refret; in either case have been crowned down somewhat with the ends rolled in more than factory spec; they show some light wear but still play well. This Hummingbird overall is a very good player with the chunky, midrangey sound these are known for; overall this is one of the better preserved 1960's 'birds we have had. It resides in a period Martin HSC, well traveled and worn, with the handle replaced and covered in some stickers from various eras. It includes a nifty postcard from Gibson in 1979 confirming the 1963 date of the guitar. Overall Very Good + Condition.