Acoustic Guitar Review: Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird (2021)
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- čas přidán 18. 05. 2023
- Hey everyone, I'm coming back with another review of a sweet acoustic guitar, the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird, if you've wanted a Gibson Hummingbird but could never justify the price, this amazing budget alternative makes a wonderful proxy!
Electronics demo: • Acoustic Electric Soun...
Specs:
Body Shape: Dreadnought
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
Back: Solid Mahogany
Sides: Solid Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany (24.72 inch scale)
Fingerboard: Indian Laurel (mother of pearl split parallelogram inlay)
Bridge: Indian Laurel
Nut: Bone (1 11/16 inches)
Saddle: Bone
Bridge Pins: Plastic
Tuners: Epiphone Deluxe Vintage Style Tulip Machines made by Wilkinson (Same as the Wilkinson Deluxe)
Electronics: Fishman Sonitone Soundhole Preamp and Sonicore Undersaddle Piezo
Made in: Indonesia
Thank you for such a detailed review, LOVE it!
I'm happy to do it! I'm really glad you enjoyed it and I hope you found it useful and informative :)
Nice presentation and review! James
Thanks for an qualified and honest, (no BS ) review. Really appreciated. Greetings from Denmark 😅
Nice review, I appreciated the long talk 😊
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Brian, if I’ve been on your channel before, I can’t remember it. That custom shop IBG Hummingbird is the cream of the crop. I have the 45, non-cutaway, and this one. You have never been more right in your life about the quality of this guitar. I’ve seen comments about this being made in China, but as you know, not even a chance of that! This not only sounds amazingly close to the Gibson, it frets like a $3K Gibson Hummingbird. Great video brother man 👍🏻
I picked one up a month not two ago, I'm still ongoing setup on it it's just kind of sitting there on the couch, I just picked it up and banged out some 90's grunge rock on it and I gotta say, I am not the guy to say what an acoustic guitar should sound like, I don't know what a Gibson Hummingbird should sound like but this thing sounds amazing. The chorus for Babe I'm Gonna Leave Leave You sounds EXACTLY like it should. The simple act of Drop D tuning, the tones are insane. I'm hearing Filter and Stone Temple Pilots tones and chords. Without actually playing them. I am not disappointed in this impulse buy.
My brother's all "my guitar doesn't sound like that. He has one of those gimmick cheap Gresch cowboy guitars. I forget the name of them. When I buy a guitar, it might not be a couple thousand $ but I make it count. I love every guitar I buy. This is not poplar play wood. The pieces in this guitar are solid pieces of mahogany and spruce.
Got mine a year ago and I love it
Nice honest no BS review Brian thanks 🙏🏻 I have a Fender tele Thinline and been looking for a decent acoustic to travel with …been considering many but narrowed down to ‘affordable’ Epiphone’s ‘inspired ranges’
I'm glad I could help! It's a great guitar no doubt!
Getting mine Friday!
You're gonna love it!
This has been my experience with the Epiphone Hummingbird, too - that, even before I made all the adjustments at home, it was 90-95% of the Gibson Hummingbird, at 10% the cost.
After all the extra adjustments, it sounds as good as any Gibson I've ever heard, better than many.
We bought this 'Inspired by Gibson Epiphone Hummingbird, because my wife fell completely in love with it, this as I played through many guitars at a music store, one day - most of which were much more expensive than the Hummingbird. The only other guitar at the store on that day, which sounded nearly so good, was the Inspired by Gibson Epiphone Dove.
Though I just watched a video with a gentleman who was extremely frustrated with the Epiphone Hummingbird that came to his house, I have to say to all that the Epiphone guitars, as a current group, are as you say - outperforming everybody and everything else.
There is nothing I wish to do, anywhere on the neck or with any color of timbre, that this guitar does not do and do very well, other than play past the 10th fret on the 6trh string.
That said, most guitars have problems doing that, particularly when the 6th string is heavy, as mine must be - for wallop.
I appreciate you saying all that! It's definitely one hell of a guitar that punches WAY above its weight class, I'm genuinely worried Gibson is either gonna discontinue them or raise the prices on them because they absolutely are competing (and out-competing) Gibson's USA made stuff and that's insane to me! So I hope people realize the deal they're getting now and grab em before they're gone!
@@brianmccullar141 Thank you, Dear Brian. I understand your fear, but, I think it unlikely that Gibson will force Epiphone to go back to it's position it had when I was a child - a manufacturer of acceptable guitars that were relatively inexpensive. The reason for this is thus : major guitar brands are fighting an all-out war with each other over who can produce the best guitar the cheapest, in some county overseas, where, as you know, they can manufacture fine guitars for pennies on the dollar. Given that there are currently so many good sounding guitars, from different companies on the market, if Gibson were to oppress Epiphone they would lose the market that I suspect they are winning with the crop of the last several years' worth of Epiphones. Never forget, Gibson has been insolvent. They are now playing to win, and it seems that a major part of that strategy its to continue to manufacture expensive trophy-status guitars, while making allowing Epiphone to make the best guitars for those who cannot afford trophies.
My wife bought the Epiphone Hummingbird for me because she fell in love with it's sound, and I played many other guitars, on that day, that were way more expensive.
Thanks again for the video!
Awesome guitar, i got one and wast a fan of the sating finish on the top so i buffed it to high gloss, also note there is a shim under the peizo pickup in the bridge if you want lower action then remove it. I changed my stock strings to elixir phosper bronze 12-53 and this thing is a cannon. I was going to upgrade the pickup to a LR baggs anthem (400$) but honestly it sounds great plugged in running into my Empress ParaEg Mark2 Deluxe, i cant imagine it sounding much better but i still might upgrade the pickup eventually to get the best sound possible. I will be recording some Rolling Stones covers with it soon. Thanks for the Review!
What was the strings again you put on that Epiphone hummingbird inspired by Gibson
John Mellencamp - Pink Houses
I bought one of these 5 years ago as an Epiphone Hummingbird. The “inspired by Gibson” phrase was never mentioned. The retailer said it was a “blemished model” so I got it for around $200. Honestly the guitar sounded great then and even better today. On a foot note, I am still looking for the blemish. It looks perfect to me.
Sounds like a Hummingbird Pro, which is a different model but still a sweet guitar!
I'm impressed. Best part is you can take a piece of black electrical tape to the headstock and convince people you have an iPhone. 8-) I don't have the money, but I will find a way. A little distraught that you mentioned the 12. Now I want one of those too. lol Gorgeous ax! When you hit that E it blew me away. What a tight bass end! Thanks. (never call out you screwed up. if you do, just do the same thing next time. Who's gonna know?)
Ha ha yeah it really is a top-notch axe, tone-wise, I EASILY put it above any of the $1000-$1200 Martins or Taylors. I play with a guy who has a $1600 Taylor 214CE Deluxe and we both agree the Epi sounds and plays better than it in practically every way!
@@brianmccullar141 Ain't it the truth. My buddy has a Martin like that and apparently came into some cash. He picked up a real Gibson Hummingbird Standard I think it was (rosewood sides and back) and it was stunning to hear. I'm drooling, and busting on him about it. Six months later he walks in with a full on J200 burst and just smote me. Gorgeous and what an amazing sound - and he can't put this one down. So here I am figuring out how to get the Epi IBG hummingbird and now I'm dead set to get it. Thanks for the feedback!
I got a TransEbony Epiphone Hummingbird Studio acoustic/electric which I'm playing along with this video and I got to say that this guitar is holding its own. Love it! Also have a Dove Studio and a pair of Masterbilt Texans. Epiphone builds them right! Great video
Great video, I presume the pick up has a battery, if so where does it go please? if inside the guitar do you have to take the strings off to replace it?
Hey there, thanks! Yes it uses a battery, it's inside the sound hole mounted to the neck block in a velcro pouch so you will have to loosen the strings to replace it, but not take them off :)
@@brianmccullar141 Many thanks for the information, and again, great video!!
@@ronvonryan happy to do it and thanks again! I hope you stick around for more reviews :)
@@brianmccullar141 Thanks again, and I have subscribed to your site. By the why you can see who I am if you google Ron Ryan DC5.
There's a slight Chorus like sound in your H-bird, strange ... Do you by chance have a Fan rotating in the room?
thank you very much - greetings von old germany .-)
Thank you for such a great review. Just ordered one of these today and I may to have to play this review for my wife to explain why I would make this purchase. Wish me luck 😂.
Glad you enjoyed the review! It's a fantastic axe for sure! Also, to help ease her into the purchase, practice Can't Help Falling In Love by Elvis, that way when the guitar arrives, you can play it for her on the new guitar, most women melt when being serenaded by that song!
@@brianmccullar141 I’m going to for sure take that advice. Thanks again for the review and the advice.
@@coreycallahan7443 I'm glad you enjoyed it friend!
I love mine,had it for 18 months,and it just keeos getting better.I played a Gibson J 45 studio yesterday, and my Epiphone sounds as good,if not better.
I'm right there with you! These Inspired By Gibson Hummingbirds are amazing. My buddy recently bought a Gibson J15 which is meant to be a budget Gibson and, we both agree that the IBG Hummingbird smokes it!
At Guitar Center I tried a used one of these. I had no idea of any Inspired by model before trying it. I could see by looks it looks different from the Pro so I thought what is this? I tried it and I was amazed at how great it sounds. Then thru research I saw it's all solid wood. That's a cut above the Pro model.
HI Brian ,Loved your review, the Hummingbird sounds incredible. Your bang on this hummingbird is the best Epiphone (inspired by Gibson) period ever made, as good as any Gibson Hummingbird USA and thousands less in dollars.....I bought mine in late 2019 at Long & McQuade in Canada, and could not believe how good it was, the set up, the detail, tones, and quality build and lastly that Gibson sound..wow.... Unfortuntley this same model today is now currently been manufactured in China for the Hummingbird since late (2023) its lost its mojo and quality build.... So sad as the quality is NOT the same and their price increased well over $1350 Canadian. ..I read that many of the early Hummingbirds Epi' acoustics for example, their tone woods, parts, etc., were supplied and exported by Gibson to Epiphone, Indonesia from the Nashvilleplant to their Master Bilt factory overseas. In conclusion these are really Gibson quality build Epiphones or close to it... If anyone can find an early Hummingbird grab it, it's the best kept secret a very collectible instrument made by Gibson for Epiphone...... ...
guitar sounds awesome
My wife gifted me this Guitar for my Birthday this past June. She heard me constantly talking about it, I even mentioned to her that one day, Im getting this Guitar.
What a beautiful looking and sounding Acoustic Guitar. This is now my go to Acoustic Guitar. Even over my Gorgeous "Martin" Acoustic Guitar. I now use this
Epiphone on most of my recordings! Some say this Guitar is just as good as the Gibson model? I don't know and couldn't care. And I don't care if there's folks out
there putting this Guitar down. I love it and that's all that counts! And the price..WOW! I recommend this Guitar to everyone ... Happy Halloween! 👻🎃🦇🎸🎵❤
I have one & couldn’t agree more…
They truly are fantastic guitars, especially for the money. Honestly, it's possible these Hummingbirds are the best acoustic-electrics in this price range, hard to say for sure though since it's such a crowded price range.
Agree 100% but for the J45 comparison. I've owned 7 Gibson J45 of various stripes - standards to Banners - and the IBG J45 I have is exceptional and in a blind test I would have a hard time telling the difference in sound. I may have wound up with an extra good one, but it's scary close if not equal to, a USA Gibson. The Humingbird is just as you describe - the IBG J200 doesn't really do much for me at all. But to that end, I recently played a late 50's J200 and expected something great - it wasn't great at all. It comes down to the individual instrument of course.
Which string are you using on it pls?
D'Addario XS 11-52 phosphor bronze
Do you really think there are bolts in the bridge? Did you look inside?
I thought pearl bridge inlays are just cosmetic.
I haven't looked inside but a local repair tech had to reglue a bridge onto a Gibson Hummingbird recently and it had bolts under the mother of pearl caps so I assume this follows that design
@@brianmccullar141 Please look inside.🙏🥹
Bolts are very bad, they weaken the top since they literally cut grains, and are heavy.
@@LegsON I loosened the strings and took a photo with my phone, it would seem this one actually isn't bolted unlike the actual Gibson I saw on the workbench, interesting!
drive.google.com/file/d/1dm8Zu5iPv2yhRAiuwQgKKfPiO8-noly5/view?usp=share_link
@@brianmccullar141 Just as I thought.😎
THANKS!
@@LegsON you bet!
I just ordered this guitar in black from musiciansfriend, and I'm excited to receive it. The one I played in store at Guitar Center was lovely to play and hear. The girlfriend confirmed, :0-)
If you haven't already done this, change the strings to Martin Retro 12s
I got it black. Because, Johhny Cash. But also because of Adam Barrett, and the Pandemic. Peace and love. I Nashville stringed it, and put a Muscle Shoals sweet tune to it, listen, to my tunes.
You got the studio and not the “Inspired by Gibson” one.
subbedddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd
Is the guitar heavy?
This I've found depends on the year it was made. Mine isn't too heavy at just under 5 pounds, but I've handled some that were 5 and a half pounds and others that were barely over 4 pounds and each time there was a variance, I noticed it had to do with the year of production. The latest versions feel lightest to me, but they're made in China so if that bugs you, you'll wanna know that.
@@brianmccullar141 thank You for that response
Didn't know post played bluegrass
That's the 4th time someone's called me Post, I really don't see the resemblance lmao.
This guy got a big check from Epiphone!!!!
Except I didn't lol. I got the guitar at a pawn shop and thought it was fantastic. Also, Epiphone is a subsidiary of Gibson and in this video, I said this outcompetes Gibson's own guitars, for the money, Gibson would NEVER pay someone to say that, nor allow someone on their payroll to do so lmao. Use some logic my friend.
If you can still get your hands on the Indonesian made one, grab it before it's gone. The current ones are made in China and I'm not sure if they sound as good. I'd say, i dont think so.
Oh they shifted production? I had no idea!
Interesting you should say that . I’ve been saying get these inspired by Gibson guitars asap cos I’ve my experience with Squier classic vibes , the 2008-2015 ones made in China were so much better imho then the ones currently made in Indonesia. I do think fender and Gibson pour a lot of good components and workmanship in these guitars to get a foothold. So ,
Yep folks ,
Get in quick before the cut corner
@@brianmccullar141me neither .
Epiphone "INSPIRED BY GIBSON" Hummingbird models (all solid back, sides and top...USA retail $849.00) are made in Indonesia.....other Epiphone Hummingbird (made with laminated sides and back USA retail $449.00) models possibly are not. Don't confuse the two different models of Epiphone Hummingbird. Always look for the orange label inside that says
"Inspired by Gibson."
@@USNAVDC correct , the std epi hummingbird made in china is a completely different guitar , its the one that comes with the grovers . I had that one too , it was a piece of JUNK compared to the "inspired" one
I'm probably going to hold off getting an IBG Hummingbird right now. Just looked at one and the back of the headstock definitely said made in China! Don't know why they quit making the IBG Hummingbird in Indonesia and moved to China? Going to wait until I see some positive reviews on the ones made in China. They had a demo one and the back of the headstock said Indonesia so it was probably recently done.
Yeah someone told me they shifted production but, I have no idea if there are any quality differences sadly
@@brianmccullar141yep and it kind of pisses me off because I was going to buy one and now I'm not sure.
@@williamlanier9the Chinese’s ones are lighter, sound better, and have much better quality control
@fromoutofstate9591 thanks for replying. You're talking about an IBG Hummingbird model and not the cheaper version Hummingbird right?
@@williamlanier9 correct! The 800 dollar high end ones. This is just my opinion though. Seems to be a hotly debated topic as of recent. I have the aged tan finish and it’s beautiful. Has Epiphone tuners on it though. I’ve been trying to make a list of differences
All of the cherry finish at Sweetwater were CHINESE MADE GUITARS. THE SATIN SITKA TOPS WERE INDONESIAN AND MUCH BETTER QUALITY THAN THE CHINESE. DO NOT GET TRICKED. EVERYONE I HAVE SEEN ARE DIFFERENT……
I've been hearing this alot lately and sadly, I haven't been able to get my hands on a Chinese-made version to compare. I am sad to hear Gibson shifted the production of these guitars to China though if it means the quality levels really have gone down, I was worried these would out-compete Gibson's USA made guitars, I guess they were too.
I see all the China made IBG hummingbirds are lighter, so they probably can have better sound. My Indonesian one weighs 5 lbs 8 oz. Those from China are about 4 lbs 15 oz to 5 lbs 1 oz so much closer to the real Gibson HB.
⚠
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I paid 500 for my ephiphone copy
Sigma is ridiculous with their MORE EXPENSIVE LAMINATED MICARTA Hummingbird copy. GOSH.
Micarta smells awful by the way, like burnt resin.
I actually like micarta quite a bit as a fingerboard material since it doesn't absorb as much grime and gunk, it makes it way easier to clean, plus Martin themselves use it alot (Richlite is a brand of paper micarta) and for good reason I feel :)
@@brianmccullar141 Can't stand the stench my 4-month old Sigma jumbo still oozes.
But the feel abd utility is great, I agree.
@@LegsON That's bizarre, my AMI JM-AGE and my Martin 000-CXE use micarta fretboards and I haven't noticed any smells, strange!
@@brianmccullar141 When was yours made? Did it hang in the shop?
Mine was built in 2023 and I got it directly from the factory.
@@LegsON 2021, I scored it at a pawn shop in damn near perfect condition for a killer price!