I like wha you did to the guitar! Count your blessings you got a good one,i have looked all over for an Indonesian brand but can only find made in China an im not into buying junk! Happy for you buddy i wish i could find a good one id snap it up in a heartbeat! I might have to start looking for a used one i guess if i can even find one of those.Anyway great score on your guitar it sounds great!👍👍👍👍👍
I just bought an Indonesian epiphone hummingbird studio, but there were a few flaws in the paint and it just felt cheap and horrible so I ordered an inspired by Gibson one instead. It is a Chinese one as I couldn’t find an Indonesian one anywhere. I’m not a guitar expert, but I’m very happy with the quality jump going from the Indonesian studio to the Chinese IBG. I’m going to take it to get set up professionally as the action is high, but I consider that something that needs done on pretty much all new guitars. I’m not sure what you mean by your Chinese one had no bracings. But if you mean the little bit of wood glued all around the inside edge, my Chinese one has that. All these videos people are putting out bashing the Chinese ones had me worried. But honestly I’ve got no regrets. To anyone wanting an IBG hummingbird who can’t find an Indonesian and/or can’t try one out in a local shop and has to order online, if Chinese is all you can get, order it anyway. You can return if you are not happy with it. But you may be pleasantly surprised as I was.
I’ve got an Indonesian J45 and it’s my main gigging guitar. Absolutely love it. I did have a couple of issues with saddle at first but it was sorted easily by a tech. Mine has opened up so well recently (had it over six months now). Enjoy your hummingbird, you’ve got a good one there.
Got a epi hummingbird made in Indonesia. Not great to start, but played in quickly and has great tone now. Only gets better. Was setup really well right out of the box.
Got mine last week, I lucked out and got the Indonesian i was hoping for! Thx for the demo! Only thing I had to do was adjust that dual action truss rod. Guitar wouldn't stay in tune and then it hit me! Truss rod felt Luke it was broke but kept turning till i got resistance. there was no tension on it. All is well now! Truss rod Allen size is 4mm. Mine weighs 5.6 pounds. Enjoy!!!!!
My wife gave me one of these for my Birthday last June! I love it! It's now my go-to Guitar over my "Martin" The only thing I have to do is change the strings. Don't care for the heavy gage that comes with the Guitar. Maybe I'll try the strings your using, The D'addario phosper Bronze 1152 or a lighter gauge. Ive always used lighter gauge. Heavier gauge if I was using a bar slide.
I to picked up a used Epiphone Hummingbird acoustic guitar made in Indonesia. I've only played it a few times but it feels and sounds good off the hop. Happy to hear / see that you value the Indonesian made model.
You must have got a real bad example because I have a Chinese Hummingbird and it is absolutely beautiful and sounds fantastic, in fact mine sounds way better than that one you got there. I can compare it to my Gibson J45 Rosewood and it's not far off, although the J45 will always sound a little smoother in the mids. Maybe you just don't like China but I can tell you that the Chinese Epiphones are top quality instruments. I use D'Addario 12-53 phosphor bronze and they give a better balanced sound than the 11-52, try them and you'll get a richer bottom end. I like the way you buffed the top, it looks very nice. I might have a go at that myself.
I love my Indonesian model. I will admit, frets 12-14 were way high and I had to have my luthier do a fret level. Thing is, that can happen with any brand. Mine is ready for pickup tomorrow and I can't wait to have it back.
If you can get one from Sweetwater, or if a dealer removes the stickers, choose one with "23" as the 5th and 6th digits in the serial #. That is the factory code for Indonesia.
I have the j45, hummingbird n excellante..all terrific..got a setup done on all three..they are great guitars..all Indonesian.. Randy's rhythm did a review on one of the Chinese ones and he said they are crap😂
Maybe not a technical review but one of the best because I would rather hear it from a guy who is not a tech but is going by feel and giving an honest review on what he has experienced. So far best review I have seen. I have a Zager Guitar and they are also made in Indonesia. Great guitar. Plays and sounds great. The Indonesian guitar factories are a cut above on these lower end guitars under $1500. I am looking at buying one of these and so your video was very helpful. Thanks..
Phosphor bronze is "opposite" of 80/20 bronze lol! Very nice job with ramping the strings. You should have pulled the undersaddle element out INTO the body of the guitar as well. You'd have to place a taller saddle after that, of course. It will give you literally 10-20% more tone.
I actually just did it exactly like they did on the Stew Mac video and everything came out perfectly. My tone is incredible compared to what it was but I have also installed a Mitchel's platemate and cow bone unslotted bridge pins as well since this video. Incredible tone!!
I have one that someone pulled the piezo and added a K&K pick up. It is noticeably better sounding than the 8 or 10 I went through with the under saddle pickup.
I played one of these guitars at a local store recently. The action was unplayable. Considering the guitar had only arrived the day before, I was put off immediately. I would love to find one that is setup properly. Not brave enough to order a guitar online. In saying that, I feel that any guitar above $500 should come set up properly. If you compare this guitar to any Yamaha or Takamine in the same price point, it will lose every time.
I love zzounds but when I must know what I’m getting I go for Sweet w ater. I also have a hummingbird but I have the pro. The cheaper version but it plays as good as my Taylors do And it has the 23 I wanted to see in the serial number. I got lucky. As it’s a great guitar. Many people are afraid of the name Epiphone but I think marketing has spoiled us. I own Gibsons and love them but they scratch and dent too ez. The Epi excellente is a true Gem long as it too has the 23 code.
bud if you put 11s on a J45 or Hummingbird your tone will dull off by a lot. Talking from experience It sounds really great though. Such a classic woody yet powerful tone.
But I don't understand, how could you tell the diffrence between the Chinese one and indonesian one when you don't have both in front of you? Reason I say this is that Epiphone have very high standards, the Chinese one should have a bone nut and saddle aswell unless its some sort of scam. I don't think they're standards would drop because it was made in China. Yamaha make most of their Guitars in China and their fabulous instruments...
I have an Epiphone 1942 Banner VOS antique sunburst J45. I was a little concerned when l saw that it wasn't from Indonesia, but from China. It must have been made in the first few days after they moved to China as it was no. 072. I shouldn't have worried. I have not had to do anything to it. It has great resonance, the J45 thud, it's bright, loud with a good low end. I've played maybe five Gibson J45's at the Gibson Garage in London and without exception they were as dull as dishwater, totally uninspiring. My 1942 Banner Chinese Epi beat all of them. Maybe l got lucky with mine and maybe the five Gibbos l tried were all 20% er's. I know which one l preferred and it came home with me. On the back of my Banner l bought the Epi Excellente. I think l managed to find the only one in the UK. Just wow! What a wonderful guitar. Every review l've seen say's that if it had Gibson on the headstock it would be sold for 5-6 grand. With a great case l got it for £1250. This guitar is from Indonesia. Gibson better watch out as this Excellente and the Inspired by Gibson acoustic models are gonna eat into their sales l'm sure.
@@andysfishingandflytyingcha2310 i love my excellente as well. for me, it beats the sh.. out of the martin hd35 i once owned, but that is of course very subjective
Why does everything have GARBAGE laurel fingerboards? It is so pathetic that we can even get an actual rosewood board at that price. Laurel is cheap AF!
@@raymondreeder3274 I'm glad you're happy with your Indonesian built one (and really that's all that matters), but my Chinese built one was awesome right out of the box and I didn't have to cut any slots because they were already there. I looked inside with a mirror and workmanship was extraordinary and the sound... my god the sound is great!
I like wha you did to the guitar! Count your blessings you got a good one,i have looked all over for an Indonesian brand but can only find made in China an im not into buying junk! Happy for you buddy i wish i could find a good one id snap it up in a heartbeat! I might have to start looking for a used one i guess if i can even find one of those.Anyway great score on your guitar it sounds great!👍👍👍👍👍
I just bought an Indonesian epiphone hummingbird studio, but there were a few flaws in the paint and it just felt cheap and horrible so I ordered an inspired by Gibson one instead. It is a Chinese one as I couldn’t find an Indonesian one anywhere. I’m not a guitar expert, but I’m very happy with the quality jump going from the Indonesian studio to the Chinese IBG. I’m going to take it to get set up professionally as the action is high, but I consider that something that needs done on pretty much all new guitars.
I’m not sure what you mean by your Chinese one had no bracings. But if you mean the little bit of wood glued all around the inside edge, my Chinese one has that.
All these videos people are putting out bashing the Chinese ones had me worried. But honestly I’ve got no regrets.
To anyone wanting an IBG hummingbird who can’t find an Indonesian and/or can’t try one out in a local shop and has to order online, if Chinese is all you can get, order it anyway. You can return if you are not happy with it. But you may be pleasantly surprised as I was.
I’ve got an Indonesian J45 and it’s my main gigging guitar. Absolutely love it. I did have a couple of issues with saddle at first but it was sorted easily by a tech. Mine has opened up so well recently (had it over six months now). Enjoy your hummingbird, you’ve got a good one there.
Got a epi hummingbird made in Indonesia. Not great to start, but played in quickly and has great tone now. Only gets better. Was setup really well right out of the box.
Nice guitar. Sounds pretty good.
Got mine last week, I lucked out and got the Indonesian i was hoping for! Thx for the demo! Only thing I had to do was adjust that dual action truss rod. Guitar wouldn't stay in tune and then it hit me! Truss rod felt Luke it was broke but kept turning till i got resistance. there was no tension on it. All is well now! Truss rod Allen size is 4mm. Mine weighs 5.6 pounds. Enjoy!!!!!
great video. i have the tobacco limited edition one and i love it
My wife gave me one of these for my Birthday last June! I love it! It's now my go-to Guitar over my "Martin" The only thing I have to do is change the strings.
Don't care for the heavy gage that comes with the Guitar. Maybe I'll try the strings your using, The D'addario phosper Bronze 1152 or a lighter gauge.
Ive always used lighter gauge. Heavier gauge if I was using a bar slide.
I to picked up a used Epiphone Hummingbird acoustic guitar made in Indonesia. I've only played it a few times but it feels and sounds good off the hop. Happy to hear / see that you value the Indonesian made model.
You must have got a real bad example because I have a Chinese Hummingbird and it is absolutely beautiful and sounds fantastic, in fact mine sounds way better than that one you got there. I can compare it to my Gibson J45 Rosewood and it's not far off, although the J45 will always sound a little smoother in the mids. Maybe you just don't like China but I can tell you that the Chinese Epiphones are top quality instruments. I use D'Addario 12-53 phosphor bronze and they give a better balanced sound than the 11-52, try them and you'll get a richer bottom end. I like the way you buffed the top, it looks very nice. I might have a go at that myself.
The Indonesian ones are dope
Stay away from those Chinese ones
Can you post the link for the Stewmac video? I’ve been unable to find it.
Totally agree with you , those Indonesian ones are seriously underrated and much better than the Chinese ones I’ve played .
I love my Indonesian model. I will admit, frets 12-14 were way high and I had to have my luthier do a fret level. Thing is, that can happen with any brand. Mine is ready for pickup tomorrow and I can't wait to have it back.
Interesting comparison about the Made in China versus Made in Indonesia label. Thank you! James
Crapshoot is an understatement lol I played at least 12 of these before I settled on the one I have now. It booms! Indonesian one.
Hi. Could you please post the link for the stewmac video. Thanks!
My Chinese version already came with the string slots -- bought it from Guitar Center.
Can't believe they went with the Sonotone pickup on this guitar. That's the pickup Martin uses on the HPL guitars.
I know I was surprised as well. It's an amazing guitar man it sounds great for the money.
If you can get one from Sweetwater, or if a dealer removes the stickers, choose one with "23" as the 5th and 6th digits in the serial #. That is the factory code for Indonesia.
You are absolutely correct
I have the j45, hummingbird n excellante..all terrific..got a setup done on all three..they are great guitars..all Indonesian.. Randy's rhythm did a review on one of the Chinese ones and he said they are crap😂
I'd like to know how you polished it. Looks nice
I just put some turtle wax polish on it and used a drill with a buffing pad attachment.
Maybe not a technical review but one of the best because I would rather hear it from a guy who is not a tech but is going by feel and giving an honest review on what he has experienced. So far best review I have seen. I have a Zager Guitar and they are also made in Indonesia. Great guitar. Plays and sounds great. The Indonesian guitar factories are a cut above on these lower end guitars under $1500. I am looking at buying one of these and so your video was very helpful. Thanks..
How deep did you cut?
Phosphor bronze is "opposite" of 80/20 bronze lol!
Very nice job with ramping the strings.
You should have pulled the undersaddle element out INTO the body of the guitar as well. You'd have to place a taller saddle after that, of course.
It will give you literally 10-20% more tone.
I noticed that I made that mistake after I posted the video they are 80/20 bronze not 80/20 phosphor bronze LOL.
I actually just did it exactly like they did on the Stew Mac video and everything came out perfectly. My tone is incredible compared to what it was but I have also installed a Mitchel's platemate and cow bone unslotted bridge pins as well since this video. Incredible tone!!
@@Terrancem4538 PULL THE UNDER SADDLE CRAP OUT AS WELL!!!
I have one that someone pulled the piezo and added a K&K pick up. It is noticeably better sounding than the 8 or 10 I went through with the under saddle pickup.
I played one of these guitars at a local store recently. The action was unplayable. Considering the guitar had only arrived the day before, I was put off immediately.
I would love to find one that is setup properly. Not brave enough to order a guitar online.
In saying that, I feel that any guitar above $500 should come set up properly.
If you compare this guitar to any Yamaha or Takamine in the same price point, it will lose every time.
Sweetwater lets you return the guitar for free in 30 days, and they come set up really well. May be worth a shot!
I love zzounds but when I must know what I’m getting I go for Sweet w ater. I also have a hummingbird but I have the pro. The cheaper version but it plays as good as my Taylors do And it has the 23 I wanted to see in the serial number. I got lucky. As it’s a great guitar. Many people are afraid of the name Epiphone but I think marketing has spoiled us. I own Gibsons and love them but they scratch and dent too ez. The Epi excellente is a true Gem long as it too has the 23 code.
bud if you put 11s on a J45 or Hummingbird your tone will dull off by a lot. Talking from experience
It sounds really great though. Such a classic woody yet powerful tone.
the frontier is not inspired by gibson. its mastebuiilt. the IBG should be made in indonesia
But I don't understand, how could you tell the diffrence between the Chinese one and indonesian one when you don't have both in front of you?
Reason I say this is that Epiphone have very high standards, the Chinese one should have a bone nut and saddle aswell unless its some sort of scam.
I don't think they're standards would drop because it was made in China. Yamaha make most of their Guitars in China and their fabulous instruments...
I don't know??
Sounds to me just like my used Chinese made Epiphone Hummingbird Pro $300 Cdn. Really. No better whatsoever.
The Indonesian ones are definitely the better models
Would love to hear a side by side comparison
You haven't played my Chinese model. It's the best guitar I've owned in 50 years. Until you've played them all your opinion isn't worth much.
@@jazzalta716 would you be able to upload some sound samples ?
I have an Epiphone 1942 Banner VOS antique sunburst J45. I was a little concerned when l saw that it wasn't from Indonesia, but from China. It must have been made in the first few days after they moved to China as it was no. 072.
I shouldn't have worried. I have not had to do anything to it. It has great resonance, the J45 thud, it's bright, loud with a good low end.
I've played maybe five Gibson J45's at the Gibson Garage in London and without exception they were as dull as dishwater, totally uninspiring. My 1942 Banner Chinese Epi beat all of them. Maybe l got lucky with mine and maybe the five Gibbos l tried were all 20% er's. I know which one l preferred and it came home with me.
On the back of my Banner l bought the Epi Excellente. I think l managed to find the only one in the UK. Just wow! What a wonderful guitar. Every review l've seen say's that if it had Gibson on the headstock it would be sold for 5-6 grand. With a great case l got it for £1250. This guitar is from Indonesia. Gibson better watch out as this Excellente and the Inspired by Gibson acoustic models are gonna eat into their sales l'm sure.
@@andysfishingandflytyingcha2310 i love my excellente as well. for me, it beats the sh.. out of the martin hd35 i once owned, but that is of course very subjective
😂😂😂
Why does everything have GARBAGE laurel fingerboards? It is so pathetic that we can even get an actual rosewood board at that price. Laurel is cheap AF!
What rubbish! This is just foolish propaganda. I have a chinese frontier and its an AWESOME guitar. Just racist bull!
You're wrong..the Indonesian ones are waaaay btr
@@raymondreeder3274 I'm glad you're happy with your Indonesian built one (and really that's all that matters), but my Chinese built one was awesome right out of the box and I didn't have to cut any slots because they were already there. I looked inside with a mirror and workmanship was extraordinary and the sound... my god the sound is great!
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