Gibson Songwriter vs. Gibson Hummingbird | Which is Right for You?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 มิ.ย. 2024
- Today we're checking out a couple beautiful Gibsons-- the tried and true Hummingbird, and the [newer] kid on the block, the Songwriter: a spruce and rosewood square-shouldered dreadnought designed with the singer-songwriter in mind. The natural EQing of rosewood is perfect for the human voice, scooping out the midrange right where a voice should sit in the mix. Take a listen to Cooper and Chris' words, and some beautiful demos of both guitars, and let us know which one you prefer!
0:00 Intro
0:46 Runnin' Down the Specs
8:49 Hummingbird Flatpicking Demo
9:33 Songwriter Flatpicking Demo
10:32 Hummingbird Fingerpicking Demo
11:47 Songwriter Fingerpicking Demo
13:07 Hummingbird Blues Demo
13:49 Songwriter Blues Demo
14:32 Wrapping Up
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I am a solo one man band acoustic guitarist. I play all cover tunes. I absolutely love my 2016 Songwriter! I get so many compliments on how it fills the room with its big rich warm sound. It’s my go to guitar and I have a Hummingbird. Two different tools. If you can only have one, go Songwriter.
Thanks! Helps much!
Hummingbird by a MILE.
Chris, thanks for doing a video of the Songwriters. They do get overlooked a lot. I own a Gibson songwriter that I bought last year and although the Hummingbird is my dream acoustic, I have fallen in love with my Songwriter. The overtones give it such dynamic range and a nice sweetness. I do not regret buying it one bit.
I purchased a new songwriter today and as a fingerstyle guitar player it suits me with it intricacies and nuances coming out between each note.
Great thing is that it's only going to get better over time.
I own a songwriter. Absolutely love it. It checks all the boxes for me. Beautiful cosmetics, amazing tone, and outstanding play ability. I can’t really think of a better Gibson guitar all around for my needs. Great video guys!
hummingbird sounds a little better to my ears harmonically. songwriter a little duller less sparkly.
Shorter scale on Hummingbird better for me. Anyone wanna buy my immaculate Songwriter Deluxe Studio?
@@MrFrampo56yes
@@RandyFnRhoads
Well , I’m in the UK and I’m guessing you ain’t ……. Unless I’m mistaken
I recently got a Songwriter and I love it! It gets equal time with my D-28 and D-15M. The D-15M has beautiful tone, it plays great and it resonates more than the Songwriter or D-28. It punches way above its weight. The Songwriter is beautiful and it is great for just about any type of guitar player. It loves to be strummed softly, played fingerstyle and strummed with force. It's a lot like my D-28 in that respect but it feels, plays and sounds different. I have wanted a Songwriter since I played one that belongs to a lady in our churches music group. I have wanted a D-28 since I was a kid. I love these 3 guitars equally and I am blessed to be able to have these guitars now. It's not just pride of ownership. These better guitars make me want to play more, play better and learn more. More so than I did with cheaper, inferior guitars that I have been playing up until a couple of years ago. Some of my cheap guitars are still good guitars, and I will keep them, but they do get a lot less play now.
Really nice guitar!
I would love to hear both of you playing them to hear different playing approaches.
But great overview and demo of these beautiful guitars!!
I want them both. Great sounding instruments. The braids are hip. Thank you both!!!
Watching from Denmark. My Songwriter is from 2008, I bought it second hand in 2016, traded in a brand new Maton for it. I was impressed by its volume and base. Has been my go to guitar for acoustic unamplified venues ever since. Amplified it also sounds amazing.
I’ve had my songwriter for about a year now and it has become my go to.
watching from germany. I so much enjoy your video. I so much appreciate your relaxed and professional talk. Thanks a lot and hold on!
I own a Gibson Songwriter Mystic Orpheum. I just love every detail of it. Thank you for the video.
These are the best guitar videos on the Internet. To me, no one else gets close
I really loved this, Wow!, I thought both of the Gibson guitars sounded very unique! Loved your generous sharing of information, and both of you are master guitarists! Great work!!!!!!!
Great insights guys! Thought I knew a lot about acoustics and tone but not as much as I thought. Thanks for the info!
I’ve had my songwriter now for 10 years and I still love the way it sounds and plays. For months I labored and compared several Gibson J-45’s with my Songwriter and the rich overtones from the Songwriter won me over so I pulled the trigger and bought the Songwriter. Also, the construction and the playability of the Songwriter was better.
Yep Mike, I have a Songwriter Studio also. The J45 although a beautiful sound is more conservative looking whereas the Songwriter is guitar eye candy! The sound blew me away and the neck is feels small and just right for my hand!
My Dad always wanted a Gibson (Kalamazoo in his youth) but they had a Martin from the War (WW1) at Church so that's what they played. Got him a Gibson Songwriter, natural finish with cutaway. Nice guitar. With headphones, the Songwriter sounded fuller and better to me. I traded it after he died as I need a short scale now. Thanks Chris and Cooper. Great demo for folks who can't get to a store and try both. iPad & phone speakers don't do these comparisons justice.
I own and love a limited edition 2019 Songwriter. I use it almost exclusively for fingerstyle playing when I'm looking for an aggressive sound. Thanks to your video comparison I find myself opening up to the Hummingbird - something to play when I'm looking for a softer sound.
My dream guitar, the Hummingbird. 😍
Shout out to you guys for being so good over the years. I'm from the Land of Down Under and our access to great guitars is so limited, and that's is the reason why Martins, Gibsons, Taylor, Larrivee, and the rest of North American guitars are so insanely expensive. I am so lucky to be able to buy a secondhand Gibson Song Writer (U.S $3500) $5700 new, and a Martin D35 (U.S $3800) $4600 new. These great guitars to me are like the first GF that you've always fantasized about and your wife, someone that you can't live without. But I also found a guitar buried under a heap of thrash guitars for $15 and the headstock is partially burned that you can't read the brand and the sticker inside had water damaged. That guitar turned up as a Takeharu Vintage Lawsuit early 70's basically a Martin copy. The sound is like when a Gibson J45 and a Martin D28 had a child together. Because of it, I am now contemplating selling my Songwriter and my D35, and use the money to fly to America and try to bring home the Holy Grail of all the acoustic guitar. The Martin D45. After all the chaos of Pandemic disappear for good.
Thank you so much for these videos. You can't imagine how much value you bring to us. I was fortunate to play a songwriter (rosewood) and a J-45 / Southern Jumbo (mahogany). I don't know what it is, but my ear and heart always opens up more with that mahogany sound. So I ended up with the Southern Jumbo. Lucky me that I am not a professionally singer, so my voice does not have to complement the guitar that much 🙂 .
I’m drooling over the rosewood...I’m hooked
I just bought a songwriter today in Perth Australia and the smile has not left my face! 😃
I preferred my Songwriter to my D28 for flatpicking for a long time. I like how there is more separation between the notes. I recently got a D35 which I prefer now. It has a different sound and feel to it I really like. The Songwriter now sits in either open D or G for slide or some old style blues. For general fingerpicking I prefer my maple J185.
Two beautiful guitars, but I already have a D-28 and a 717eBE, so...Hummingbird for me. After, of course, the 000-42! Another super vid guys, thank you.
the way you did the demo was great as we heard the hummingbird, stunningly beautiful, and I never thought the songwriter could stand up to the comparison, but it sounded great, maybe a bit more forceful, just as gorgeous. maybe it's the > scale length.
Great video guys
Ren Ferguson designed the Songwriter when he worked for Gibson Montana. He went against Henry on it. There is a great interview with Ren on TH-cam that will answer all your why questions. The interview was by Tony Polecastro and it’s in parts between the Acoustic Letter channel and Acoustic Life channel.
I own a songwriter. And now I'm either buying a hummingbird or j45. These videos are really really helpful. Thanks guys!
Until this video it was a toss up between another version of the hummingbird (rosewood or historic model) or a reissue J45 banner as a second guitar. Now it may end up being a Songwriter that'll join my 2019 vintage 'bird, that thing sounds wonderful! Thanks for spotlighting the Songwriter, never thought to consider it really.
The Songwriter rosewood headstock looks so good!
The Hummingbird is just incredible!
They both sound beautiful
You F**ing nailed it!
Can't I just love both guitars?
Great comparison, my preference is definitely the Hummingbird. Any chance of some 12 string comparisons in the near future? Cheers
I love all Gibsons and Martins. The Classic American Guitars.
I am going to buy the Songwriter Standard. I absolutely love that guitar 👍
I think the Songwriter looks and sounds like a $3,400 guitar... Beautiful 👀
Nice playing.
Always loved the songwriter (don't own one), I own a J15 (walnut b/s) which is great with a voice
The Hummingbird for me.
Gibson made a Heritage Model in the 1960s (belying my age!) which used Rosewood for the Back and Sides. It disappeared in the 1970s. Gibson didn't stockpile rosewood like Martin before WW2. Once Brazil aligned with Germany they were cut off from any supply which was the end of the Advanced Jumbo (rosewood) model they built until recent days.Re the demo, they both sound great and I still have my Bird from the 60s.
Just bought one !
I’ve love my Songwriter, I just got a 60’s LP AAA flame which is also outstanding. I think when people complain about Gibson’s QC that has more to do with the dealer your buying from and how much attention they pay attention to their setup.
Hi, guys. I´m from Argentina. There are not a lot of Gibson acoustic guitars in this market and the official dealer does not import acoustics since 2018, but I could get one last october and I pay for the songwriter exactly USD 2500 new. It´s a great guitar, I can´t stop playing. It´s an amazing guitar. I played Taylor, 414 Martin D18, D25 & D35 and I love the Gibson. Now I bougth a Epiphone Excellente because I found it has deeper basses (perhaps the maple neck?). I would like to compare the both against a Guild D55 only . Best regards
Taylor's 814ce Spruce/Rosewood pairing sounds good, and I was just happy to hold it after for its owner/custodian a recording session. My son in law really wants a Hummingbird! He was happy that I gave him a set of Elixir Nanoweb 12-53 for his Breedlove Atlas last night though... What are the best strings? The new ones that you were given to make music with. Thanks, guys!
Both sound awesome but the burst would be my pick. In this compare I heard less base in the rosewood but it sounded so balanced and looks great. Both too big for my frame!
Songwriter lacks the volume, it has warm, creamy tones in SPADES! I prefer the tone of the Songwriter but if l had to choose one.. ld take the Hummingbird everytime.. it really has a more universal tone, sounds like more of the classic 60-70s music l play than the Songwriter. The bird gets almost brittle sounding being finger picked,, I guess if l did more finger picking than strumming ld def take the Songwriter but l mostly strum and the ugly bird does it like no other. I have my ol trusty Taylor GA8e for that rosewood/Spruce tone and honestly l don't use it much.. Great vid. Thank you!
Pippi Longstockings. Love Cooper’s reaction to the dig! He wasn’t ready. 😂 Love the Songwriter. Had one once upon a time. Sorry I gave it up. It was great for singing/playing with a nice warm tone. Just hate the moustache bridge. Never have had a loving for the Hummingbird - except for the burst finish, pickguard and tuners.
Hi Chris. I love watching your reviews finally you guys made a Songwriter review👌. I agree Songwriters are underrated. I have Songwriter Deluxe CE from 2018 and they are awesome, every time i pick up & play it is getting better. Keep doing & playing, you guys are great🙏
super interesting video. I am trying classics, testing woods and my preferences as a songwriter. my LG2 is really not the best for my style as I am a strummer, I play chords with variations and prefer the articulation of rosewood. I also adore Gbison's necks. I've owned a Martin with a 1 11/16 nut, it felt cramped and the 1 3/4 ones I tried feel good but a tad too wide, and also a bit thin in the hand, to me the mod low oval profile feels too much like a blade. as soon as I pick any Gibson acoustic, the neck feels just perfect. so today at the music store I was trying a few guitars, and at last I did try the songwriter, which I wasn't interested in or considering, and it's absolutely killer in feel and tone. I liked the Martin D35 I tried just before, but it was too loud on the bass end, while the songwriter felt super balanced, still loud, and somewhat still had that Gibson tone.
You guys are always sharing awesome value for us Guitar geeks, and your comparaisons are super valuable as well. so thank you and keep it up!
Beautiful sounding guitars! What's the mic you used?
Great video guys! Now, with the Gibson modern series.....Is there any difference between a Sgonwriter and a Hummingbird Studio Rosewood? Specs look very similar. Does it sound the same?
Am I the only one who appreciates the exact same songs in the demos for every video for cross referencing purposes?
It is the most helpful
I've own a Songwriter Deluxe 2003 first year of production I presume , just a phenomenal guitar as the years and use rolled by tempted to buy other acoustics out there ,given the very pricey tag on them in NZ , glad I bought mine when I did ,and today in NZ Songwriter retailing for &6.500 compared to when I paid $3.800 , definitely not a "toy" but so happy I have one
I’m sold!!!!!
Pippi Longstocking......LMMFAO!!!!! Just look at her (his) face afterwards - hilarous!
Perfect video. Greetings.
I love my songwriter deluxe.
If you want to learn more about the Songwriter, check out the history of the Gibson CL (Custom Line) series, which evolved into the Songwriters, designed by the brilliant Master Luthier Ren Ferguson.
It's very rare to watch Gibson line of guitars in your youtube channel. I still feel buying one sweet sounding Gibson acoustic. This brand I haven't got the chance to play myself on it but it would be the first guitar I will be testing as I have a very feeling when I hear the sound when somebody plays Gibson guitars. Its difference of sound from other brands is just subtle difference but its difference makes it sounding sweet when I listened to it.
They would pair great for recording, but solo: Hummingbird all the way!
A couple of things for you to mention in your Hummingbird videos is that, aside from Martin's Super D, it is the largest dreadnought out there. This is why diminutive players look dwarfed by them. Think Sheryl Crow. It is also a major contributor to their unique tone. In this video, despite the rosewood, the Songwriter seems to be the brighter of the two. Anyway, I'm six-four, and the Hummingbird has always felt "large" to me, and that's because it is!
Thanks for all the great guitar reviews and comparisons that come out of Alamo.
The Hummingbird sounds about a thousand times better to me. Huge difference!
Two really nice guitars. I like the sound of the SONGWRITER a little better. Especially when it comes to fingerstyle, she shows her class.
I played a songwriter cutaway today and it blew everything in the shop away. And I played all the high end stuff in there.
She shows her ass.
I’m a Martin and Fender girl, but I really like the Songwriter
I’m with you. Shame it’s so expensive.
Played a songwriter today and it was perfect.
Great demo as usual. Where did Pippy get to ?. I recently came across a Songmaker which is a big bold sounding guitar , but I think I'll be trading up for a Songwriter after this demo! Thanks for reigniting my GAS and making me spend more cash !😂
I love the braids.
Thanks for the review!
What is the first song played ?
I can enjoy both guitars when they are played by others. I can hardly hold a pick, and for a fingerstyle player there are better options. I would go with a J-45 or a LG2.
You folks give Gibson the love it deserves.
I own a 2009 std deluxe songwriter from '09... somehow i cant put it down ... owning an om 28 and d35.. this guitar has brilliance and bass thump very different from the martins. I love it!
The Songwriter's looks are every inch worth it's sound quality.
Gibson J-185EC Modern Rosewood here… thinking to try the Songwriter :--)
Hola . Siempre he estado tratando de saber. Cual es la guitarra que suena al comienzo de todos sus videos . O sea en la intro se de todos los videos que publican. Gracias.
Do you ever get the Doves in Flight Gibson..Would like to get your opinion on it.
Cool
It's crazy to think Leo Fender landed on ash because it was readily available and thus cheap and that, along with not polishing parts of the tray bridge to conserve even more cost/labor (also not throwing out the Broadcaster decals) is just a few aspects outside of tone that make the Telecaster even more legendary.
Love rosewood it just have that tone that’s where Martin comes in
Oh sorry I didn’t know you did this ...I’m on it
The look on Cooper's face when Chris calls him "Pippi Longstocking" on a national channel. Not a cool move Chris.
The Songwriter with the cutaway has that Ugly Fishman control panel on the top. Why couldn't they put the LR Baggs pups in the cutaway version?
Hummingbird all the way
The rosewood songwriter will hold its own in a bluegrass group. And everything in between.
I wish I still had my 72 Hummingbird. That being said I prefer a Cedar top with Rosewood sides&back my Alvarez PDSC85SCAV is my favorite all time Acoustic guitar they no longer make them their big mistake was when they went to the spruce top it wasn't as warm sounding
Man I gotta ask what is that riff your playing with all of the pull offs and slides?? It’s beautiful
Aren't Rosewood B&S standard for AJ's? As well as 25.5 length for all AJ's.
Hery guys: Just like your recent Gibson/Epi acoustic comparison, I'm not hearting anything about playability/action/ comfort differences in these 2 guitars! I'm looking for a modest acoustic that has low action. I played a $700. Guild at Guitar Center, Groton, CT, last week and was blown away by its easy playability. I need to know how these guitars play! Please?
Yo Bob! I really needed an acoustic electric as I’ve been playing a lot more gigs, I’m a Gibson fanatic, it was killing me trying to decide which guitar to get! Interestingly I actually settled on a Guild D140 cut away! I’ll have to say it sounds pretty sweet, it is a lot of guitar for the $700 or $800
it seems that they songwrigter have more mid range. but in really can't Tell If it IS because of Rosewood or the different scale lengt
How about a comparison between the original hummingbird and the custom shop version? To see if it's worth paying the extra cash for the torrefied top
I brought an hummingbird standard home and traded it for a custom shop vintage model, they sounded a little similar, but vastly different considering one sounds at least a decade older. Would still love for Alamo to do a comparison!
I have a 2019 songwriter delux... same burst as the one shown and it is absolutely killer. Also have a j45 which is excellent... different but excellent. Have tried to bond with both the d18 an d28 and, although I want to so bad, it just doesn't work... for me it's gibson all the way.
D 18 GE is different story..
If you want to listen the guitars go to 8:49
how do the necks compare?
Ideally, you'd take both but the Songwriter has very appealing looks and sound as a second Hummingbird.
I THINK THE HUMMINGBIRD HAS A BETTER ELECTROSTATIC RANGE AND VIBRANT PITCH MODULATION . ALSO THE SUSTAIN SEEM TO SUSTAIN MORE BETTER. DYNAMIC OSCILLATION IS ALSO MORE APPARENT. IT DEFINITELY THE GIBSON FOR ME.
Beautiful guitars, sadly I didn’t hear much of a difference although I’m listening through my iPad too. I love Gibson electric guitars however when it came to buying a nice acoustic I went with a GPC28E Martin ( no regrets ). I love a deep low end on an acoustic and that’s probably why I gravitate towards Martin and also Gibson. Taylor’s always seem to be more chimey / treble like sounding as well, hence why it would be my last pick of the ‘Big Three’ ( I know you’re a Taylor guy so you’re probably cursing me if you’re reading this haha! )
PS - I really dig the handlebar mustache bridges made by Gibson, such a gorgeous classic look.
At one time I owned a Songwriter, J200 and J35. I only regret selling the Songwriter. If I ever am able to purchase another one, it'll remain with me until I go to the big guitar studio in the sky.
Man that Hummingbird is pretty (sound). Can't get past the pickguard though. Not feel'in the Songwriter. So what would a Hummingbird sound like up against a Yamaha something or other with a Fishman Aura Spec to sweeten it up?
how to retrieve tablatures of titles, internet link?
I thought I bought a Songbird. After years of playing and marveling at the tone and projection of my guitar, I saw an ad for a Songwriter. I remember how much I paid for my guitar. It was half the price of a Songwriter. When I discovered it was a Songwriter Deluxe I flipped out. Somebody made a mistake. Anyway, I played many guitars of the same make and model and they are not all the same. Perhaps I got a good model but it is the best sounding guitar of any others I've played and all my friends agree. I wish all others enjoy their guitars as much as I enjoy mine. BTW, I played a Hummingbird. Great guitar but my songwriter has crazy range and deep deep lows and the crispiest highs but the miss are a delight.
is yours the songwriter delux cutaway????? i hear thats a great git