CAN YOU HEAR A DIFFERENCE? Epiphone Hummingbird Pro ** Included: Inspired By Gibson Hummingbird

[@MashaT22]

There’s definitely a difference between both guitars. Changing the saddle might bring them closer in tone. The Inspired By Gibson is all solid wood, no laminate so it’s not surprising that it sounds fuller and richer. The black Hummindbird Pro still projects nicely and sounds great, though - a small saddle change will help a great deal. It’s a great guitar find that anyone can play.

[@guitarnotions]

I ordered a bone saddle with a 12 radius made to fit this guitar. It should slide right in and a few minor changes it will be good to go. 😀

[@rzh3443]

The Inspired By is definitely warmer and fuller ; that being said, the Pro’s price can’t be beat. Laminate is always more reflective. The Inspired By versions come much closer to the Bozeman counterparts. I think some of the 60s Ep. model recreations are indeed made there ? My guess is the stock saddle is plastic , not Tusq, so there should be more sound improvement with bone. Thanks for the comparison!

[@ovash1]

I agree with what you said. A guitar can sound good and enjoyable on its own, but when you compare guitars you will notice deficiencies in one or both. Atheist that is what I understood from what you said. I like both, but like the pumpkin colored one more. Both for the sound, and that classic acoustic guitar look. I believe that when you like something you are more likely, within reason, to enjoy it. Thanks for the video, the great music. I honestly think you could make my guitars sound good. God bless.

[@guitarnotions]

​@@ovash1 I agree its hard to compare guitars because there are no 2 guitars alike. There is always going to be variables, like the wood, the finish, the frets etc... Basically, Each guitar is unique... but it's fun to try and listen. When its all said and done they are still two good guitars - just different 😀

[@Tom-db7bx]

I have the IBG and it's become my favorite guitar by far. I also know that as of the first of the year they moved the production of those to China from Indonesia. People don't seem to be as happy with them now.

[@guitarnotions]

That’s an interesting observation. Thanks for sharing 😀

[@ronlight7013]

I have an Epiphone EL-00 from 10 years ago. I upgraded the plastic nut, saddle and bridge pins to Graph Tech tusq, and over time the tone sweetened considerably as the body broke in. There's hidden potential in those thar instruments.

[@guitarnotions]

I ordered a bone saddle with a 12 radius to fit epiphone. I should get it today or tomorrow. I am also changing the plastic pins to bone. Thanks❤️

[@jimmymalone3494]

Thank you for sharing with us.The Pro sounds really good and hope you have a great day.

[@guitarnotions]

Thank you! It’s going to be even better with bone nut and pins❤️

[@kristenvillani9618]

I miss that true acoustic sound I am most familiar with. A definite difference. I wish I still had my Guild I had in the 70's. Who knew?

[@guitarnotions]

A 70’s guild. That must have been wonderful!!

[@dennisgabbeart1814]

Both are very different from each other. The Pro has a very boxy sound to it. Inspired sounds GREAT and has a more balanced sound to it. Agreed on your comment that no 2 will sound alike.

[@guitarnotions]

Yes for sure! that’s why it’s best to play before you buy - if you can 😀

[@antipodesman2]

I just replaced the saddle in my Court Earth 70. It was I believe tusq. I have become a fan of tusq but this one had a wobble and would have cracked the bridge. I have never done any lutherie but I have been a devotee of Jerry Rosa's videos and I thought I was equipped with the knowledge to do the job. I don't have the power sanding station that Jerry has but I do have a large heavy board with a glass top and a selection of sanding sheets that clamp to the glass top. I purchased an over-sized compensated Graphtec (aka tusq) saddle at the music chain for $15 Can. Using the wobbly saddle as a template for the height and length I got to work marking the new saddle with a fine pencil. When I had the right height and length I started to work on the width sanding the back of the saddle checking the fit with the slot until it snapped into place tightly. When I restrung the guitar the action and the intonation were excellent. The next time I won't be as cautious. I spent too much time using fine grade paper at 120 rating. I learned that I could save time by hogging off the first bit until I got close to the line with a coarse grade. I probably could have reduced the time to complete the job from 3 hours to about 1.5 hours, maybe even less. When I had my 1st guitar (Art and Lutherie) set up professionally I had him replace the saddle ( probably tusq) with bone. I'm tempted to put the original saddle back on that guitar using his bone saddle to reshape the tusq one. Though bone and tusq both give good sound, tusq is apparently more uniform in its density and should have a more uniform response from one string to another. By the way, I learned that the Graphtec saddles and nuts are made very close by in Delta, British Columbia. Thanks for your videos. They are very helpful.

[@guitarnotions]

There is a lot of thoughts on bone vs graph tech… I have used both. On this guitar the saddle is imitation bone. Not sure what that is😳. I have made saddles before from a blank but for me it takes a lot of time. So I found a company “MacNichols Guitar”. The make the saddles to specification. They are nice quality and usually require very little adjustment. For $19 I save myself a lot of time 😀.

[@krisverding3908]

Those "tusq" saddles cort uses are pretty good to my ears , A dremel tool comes in handy for shaping saddles or nuts .

[@jessie8722]

Solid wood, one can definitely hear it. The Pro also sounds great, but that other one while you were playing can be felt in the heart. :)

[@guitarnotions]

And when the heart speaks you know it’s good❤️. Thanks!!

[@localguy8]

I heard this sometime ago if you get a guitar with blond wood you could see if there are any imperfections. Not that it is but in dark painted wood they don’t have to use good wood. ❤🎸☮️

[@guitarnotions]

That does make sense. This one has a solid top. I should put a light inside and take a peak at the grain for the fun of it😀

[@kevinwolf3154]

Definitely Masterbilt !

[@guitarnotions]

Thanks for listening in 😀

[@GilezDavidson]

I could not find the cheaper model in Canada, but I did find the Masterbuilt for around $800 if you include tax. There is no comparison, you get what you pay for, yes that Indonesian model sounds good, but I know which one I would choose lol. Thank you for the comparison, it was nice to be able to hear, I knew which one would win before you started playing lol. 😎

[@guitarnotions]

Those masterbilts are wonderful solid wood instruments- that is an awesome choice!!❤️

[@chester777ful]

The inspired by Gibson is defiantly louder i would prefer that but the cheaper hummingbird is great for a beginner its worth every penny both are better than the Gibson hummingbirds for value have a great day.

[@guitarnotions]

I agree - it’s a very nice instrument for a great price. ❤️

[@WysteriaGuitar]

All wood hands down, though even that one does not hold a candle to an actual Gibby Bird...

[@guitarnotions]

Gibson has made some awesome instruments for sure!!😀

[@tom90055]

can you tell me what country the Epiphone hummingbird was made ??

[@guitarnotions]

I do t have it with me because I am not the owner. However it was a new guitar and I believe it was made in china I will check and get back to you if I can get the info

[@BlaisPianoGuitars]

Hey! thanks again! Soundboards control the so called projection thing, strings do none of that. Of course strings can be louder or not so and it's easy to mistake loudness with projection. Cool presentations! I wish I could play, but If I don't by now, I probably never will at 71. Fingers very stiff and brain too tired. But that gives me more time to fabricate our guitar inventions, and watch videos. I watch very closely hand and finger movements, anthropologically I guess. I find it very very interesting to watch,,,, "everybody" has their own way, some are bizarre. Purely acoustic guitar tone is greatly affected by the way it is held.= squeezing it with the forearm damping the heck out of it, and using the SB for a reference point rubbing fingers to support the hand, wears the SB and kills tone, a pick guard prevents that. Acoustics would sound different with different players for sure. No one has ever pointed that out. Oh--well. Be well!

[@guitarnotions]

It is so true what you are saying. One of the biggest variables to the sound is the player. I love to watch Tommy Emanuel. He can make one note ring out with such excitement it’s amazing! One would say it’s the guitar but it’s not! It’s him, his fingerprint, his sound. (It’s awesome). One could look at ansel Adam’s photograph s and say it’s the camera but it’s not it’s his eye and angles- I think he could make photos from a brownie camera look good! Loved this comment! Thanks❤️

[@BlaisPianoGuitars]

Question? Why don't someone make a 6 piece saddle so as to be able to make adjustments to one note if needed. = save a lot of work!! A segmented saddle why not? it would be real handy and easy. It doesn't need to be one solid bar! Maybe I should be making those.? If I do would you test them for me? Could be a witty innovation ? maybe. Call them Blazy-saddles. Hah! LOL

[@Mindvirus-ly5ed]

Agree. Violins have micro tuners, guitars should too.

[@guitarnotions]

Now that is “outside the box” thinking. Great idea! I have an emerald guitar (carbon fiber). It had a Graph Tech Ghost for acoustic pickup in it. The saddle in it has the ability to make micro changes on each string. It’s kind of like an electric guitar setup. It works really nice! So your idea is a nice one, if the order of the pieces don’t get mixed up. I suppose they could be numbered. Anyway I love the creative thinking you pose as a solution!! There is a split saddle (2piece)that Takamine uses. I dont know why 6 pieces has not been done. Maybe it makes it harder to adjust the intonation? I enjoyed this comment- food for thought❤️

[@krisverding3908]

6 tiny pieces are a lot more work than one big saddle !

[@BlaisPianoGuitars]

True, but the adjust ability afterwards is oh so nice and handy. Easy to adjust string height, and intonation. Also, when one screws up it might be only on one which can be replaced easily..