Don't Overlook This Hidden Gem | Gibson Songwriter EC Acoustic Guitar Review

[@alinchitown7556]

I bought one 2 years ago and I don't regret it's everything you could want for performing live. I have 15 acoustics in my collection, and this is in my top 3.

[@im58woody]

What guitars make up the other two in the top 3

[@soofitnsexy]

his gs mini and cordoba@@im58woody

[@johnrutledge1810]

Was trying to decide between buying the Hummingbird and the Songwriter. A friend told me he regretted selling his Songwriter back in the day. After demo’ing both, the Songwriter won me over. It’s a canon! Forget hooking up to an amp. This thing roars. This guitar plays any style of music and sounds fantastic. I can’t say enough about it. It’s not quite a year old yet so I can’t wait to hear what it sounds like after it ages a few years. Thanks for highlighting it again Cooper.

[@jacoblim6621]

I'm at the same dilemma, but leaning more to the songwriter. So why didn't you pick the Hummingbird?

[@johnrutledge1810]

The Hummingbird sound was a tad too bright for my taste. The Songwriter’s neck profile is shaped similar to that of an electric guitar so it plays pretty smoothly. I have to be honest though and say there’s a couple of quality control issues with the Songwriter. The preamp cable jack vibrates loose every 3 weeks or so for me. I usually play ever day for a few hours. It’s a pain to have to re-tighten it. Also, the battery compartment to the preamp is designed poorly and will rattle occasionally. Aside from those two issues, it sounds fantastic and I have no regrets buying it.

[@BryanGrigsby]

Did you go sunburst or the plain top?

[@johnrutledge1810]

Plain top only because the sunburst was out of stock and I’m impatient and didn’t feel like waiting 3-4 months for new stock to come in.

[@soofitnsexy]

thsanks u get the cutaway??

[@paulcavaliere213]

That song should be used for all of your acoustic demos. Great way to showcase the guitar with a nice mix of chords and leads up and down the neck. Great playing.

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

Might try learning it. Give me a year, or two lol

[@TheKamikaze104]

I've got a Songwriter with no cutaway and it's by far my favorite acoustic

[@kennewton5877]

Beautiful Guitar.Great Sound. I have to confess that I watch your demos just to see what you’ll play next. You’re very talented. I’m a big fan.

[@patricklundquist9869]

That's a great sounding Gibson. If it only has an under saddle pickup then that would be the perfect guitar to pair up with an LR Baggs Voiceprint Acoustic DI to more accurately capture the guitar's tone and cut back on quack. Those things really work. Fantastic guitar playing. If I was good enough, I'd rip it off. If only I were good enough.

[@MichaelAppollo]

Played one of these today, sounded great and the neck was super comfortable!

[@fozzgretsch]

This video convinced me after looking at one, was very difficult to get hold of in Australia but oh my days. I dont want to play another guitar ever. Even though it only has the piezo the plugged in sound is incredible too. This will be a guitar for life

[@roymoderatto]

I had a loaner from Gibson 8 years ago, no cutaway, amazing sounding guitar! Perfect for gigs. The Gibson representative needed it for a music video for a few days and promised to give it back, maybe I would get o keep it as part of my sponsorship. Sadly, it was stolen from his car, along with other guitar for said video... he was so embarrassed. Poor guy. But he offered me to chose any Gibson acoustic. So I asked for a L-00 Blues King. But I miss the great tone and versatility of the Songwriter Deluxe... amazing playing, as always! 🤘😎⚡️

[@ricklynn6176]

I have one in natural it has always been and will always be the perfect guitar for me and my forever dream guitar. It’s beautiful and sounds superb! It’s been featured in soo many of my live shows and recordings! Anyone thinking about getting one, do it!! You won’t regret it! Songwriter EC for the win! Great video!! Thanks for this one!

[@dannardozza7344]

It’s 3200$

[@mrassilyer]

A truly beautiful guitar. Gibson is making some of the prettiest instruments out there. I played one several years ago and I was really impressed.

[@LegsON]

Absolutely! Gibson created the most beautiful models: slope narrow shoulder of a jumbo (Jumbo, Advanced Jumbo, J-45), Hummingbird, Dove, J-200, Songwriter. Beautiful inlays, pickguards, bridges, color pallettes.

[@ltgray2780]

Beautiful, yes, but Gibson, how about a wooden truss rod cover.

[@dannardozza7344]

It’s 3200 fucking dollars

[@LegsON]

@@dannardozza7344 Okay and?

[@leevitalone]

Totally agree, was trying to find my acoustic sound went through Hummingbird, studio and traditional. A Maple Acoustic Firebird beautiful but big and boom. The Songwriter is just the right power to cut through but does not drown out, it has become my favorite all round guitar for writing and jamming, and you can beat on thus bad boy sounds great.

[@rogerd9150]

I love all these guitars…and this one is drop dead gorgeous in looks and tone… but in the end let’s face it….I’m really here to listen to Cooper play the guitar!👍👍

[@dannardozza7344]

It’s 3200$…….

[@anthonyb2334]

Nicely done. I do like the “adornments” on this model. And the sound. I like the way you address the “old school “ sound of their J45’s etc. Well said and explained. Thank you

[@soofitnsexy]

i played this exact songwriter yesterday with cutaway...in a very expensive room it was easily top 3 ...incredible sound..best Gibson I have ever played unique!! but a warning.... its kinda heavy! comparing to humming bird d18 etc...loved it!!

[@ShowseeTravels]

It’s much sharper sounding than most rosewood guitars and I own 5 of them. I really like it, I wanted maple for my next but 🎶🎶🎶🎶 it sounds amazing 🤩

[@thongamchan775]

It really sounds superb sound, very clear ,very pleasing sound. Usually I don't like Rosewood fretboard.

[@mylerism]

Love my 2009 Songwriter (non cutaway), it's a beast. A good pound heavier than my J45. Plays great, sounds amazing. Great overtones. Smells like an old rocking chair. I avoided the cutaway though, due to the barndoor preamp.

[@LegsON]

Pound? I'm sure it's not a pound.🤣

[@mylerism]

@Legs ON ok, slight exaggeration. 😅 J45 is 4.2 lbs and Songwriter 5 lbs

[@LegsON]

@@mylerism Good lord, that's still too much.

[@johnkolbjr8375]

Love this guitar. Tested the Gibson Songwriter (Rosewood) about a year ago. Great guitar

[@michaelappollo6770]

Thanks Cooper, great demo and explanation. Wanted to buy a natural, and Blake was great to deal with, but it was back-ordered until May of next year, so have to look elsewhere. I agree, fits in perfectly for a baritone vocalist.

[@rexrathtar3893]

I don't think I'll ever buy a Gibson acoustic, but it's an informative video. Thanks for putting together your thoughts an d the demo.

[@07blackdog]

Great description of the tone. Fantastic sounding guitar.

[@robertraffaniello7991]

Looks great. I wish it were less ornate and had shorter scale.

[@SteelNGuitars926]

I Bought a songwriter from the Gibson Garage in Nashville while i was visiting. Great guitar but it has a buzz coming from inside. I cant figure it out or pin point its exact location. What do you suggest?

[@heatherhiggins5016]

Send Gibson an email explaining your problem

[@oqsy]

Playing demo is making me think of J. Mascis live acoustic album! Cool tune!

[@stevecampo1561]

So interested in this guitar. Would you mind telling me what kind of pick you used on this demo ? Also, I currently own a 2022 Taylor 814ce. How do you rate them against each other ?

[@joesaf2690]

What song is he playing in the demo?

[@delv2473]

Does anyone know if they changed the pick guard on these models . Mine had a thick guard that had a radius on the edges ,almost spongy. The guard kept lifting . I replaced and the same happened so I left it off. That appears to be thinner and flatter . Perhaps it was a common problem and they changed.

[@norcalranger]

I played the earlier, more embellished version of this model and it was the only Gibson acoustic I've ever liked. And I liked it a lot but was turned off by all the ornamentation. It was on consignment at a Guitar Center. It sounded great plugged and unplugged! I thought about it and went back to buy it the next day. It was sold. My mistake.

[@edallen5384]

Beautiful sounding guitar without a doubt. Personally I favor the mahogany body and vintage sunburst that Gibson offers. But The songwriter is a quality instrument.

[@scoggers1628]

It looks and sounds great.

[@eclecticexplorer7828]

Nice guitar, nice playing, but something is missing, Coop. You said it is for singer-songwriters, so where were your vocals?

[@steverafstedt4024]

Outstanding. The guitar is nice too.

[@LTVband]

What song is that? Is there a way to learn to play on my Gibson?

[@macfawlty]

I hear ya, although there are dozens of guitars in the same tonal range. Your comment about someone ‘who’s looking for a Gibson, with Gibson on the headstock’ is right on and I get it… sorta, although I don’t have a single Gibson acoustic except for an old awful sounding nylon string in the attic. Every time I pull a Gibson acoustic off the wall in the store, 2 strums later it’s back on the wall. They make so much garbage IMO. This Songwriter model sounds pretty nice though. Probably sounds great plugged in as well, so there, I’m not totally hating on it.

[@stevenprager203]

What strings are you using 9:40

[@KenKuroGuitar]

It is definitely a beautiful guitar.

[@ashleyspeake3168]

Cooper I really love your guitar reviews, they are so very helpful. I have a question I love the sound of the maple back and sides of the Gibson Dove. But sadly the Gibson Dove is way out of my budget. Do you have an affordable alternative with solid maple back and sides, that you would recommend?

[@mcurtisallen]

Not exactly the same but Eastman E16SS if you can find one. A few on Reverb now. Depending on your budget still might be a bit high, but there's not a lot of good maple guitars (maybe none) that are below that price.

[@ashleyspeake3168]

@@mcurtisallen Thank you I will definitely check into it!

[@rmzzz76]

Just my take on this, but players have not made the Songwriter a big seller for Gibson, because it just isn't what they are looking for. You do see a few pros who play this model and love it, but not enough to really create a sphere of influence and that's just because it doesn't connect to players the same way as Gibson's other models have... The idea that Rosewood is better for vocals because the mids are scooped makes sense, but it's flawed ideology because the natural EQ comes from the top as much as the back and sides and the volume and sustain of the guitar are actually more important to getting a great unplugged vocal-acoustic live mix. I would have thought you would have known this?!? I can provide a good example on KZbin. My favorite example of this is to listen to James Taylor playing Fire & Rain live on his old J-50 from some late 60s/early 70s file footage. The J-50 is a J-45 spec wise, aside from the top finish, so it's Sitka top on Mahagony b&s and it sounds fantastic! Especially his from the early 1960s. That was a special time for the J-45/J-50. In the videos I've found he's got a mic on that guitar and his vocals, no pickup involved back then.. Fast forward to today and he's using boutique built Olson guitars, with Rosewood b&s but they are tone monsters, built for long sustain and volume and that volume and sustain makes a vocalist sing differently and usually NOT in a good way... Rosewood seems to just produce more volume and sustain and this is why so many great Singer-Songwriters pick D18 or J-45, because they are just objectively better tools most vocalist who do a lot of guitar-vocal only performances.... (notice I say "most, not all. Some great Singer-Songwriters do pick Rosewood too, there's just a lot less of them). But don't take some random strangers internet's word for it.. If this subject has peeked your interest, there's a test you MUST do to experience this for yourself! Take a quality portable recorder like a ZOOM or TASCAM into a music store, pick a nice high-end to mid-high end guitar, pick one with a lot of sustain and volume. Pick one with short sustain and more balance (aka midrange focus) at lower volumes like the D18 or J-45 or record yourself playing and singing the same parts on both.... Then get some nice quality headphones and listen carefully to both of your performances and ask yourself on which recording the vocal sounds better. Remember if the song has a lead vocal,, the vocal is KING in the mix. Most of your audience will judge the entire performance by the lead vocal quality. Every person I know who's followed through with this has ended preferring Mahagony to Rosewood for vocal-acoustic solo performance. The exception being singers who just tend with really powerful voices or those who do a balance of singing and flat-picking and want more powerful out of the guitar than just a vocal accompaniment instrument.

[@LegsON]

I'm a singer and player. My voice is pretty deep and very full in midrange. The common belief would be that I find rosewood more suitable for my voice, since it would "fit" guitar's EQ better, but I find no benefit when singing over my rosewood guitar. I agree that it is indeed more comfortable for a singer to have a quieter, and maybe even simpler sounding guitar in hands, so as not to make him strain even in the slightest, and not to draw attention away from his voice. At the end of the day, if we speak of live performances, acoustics sound relatively the same, especially if someone uses undersaddle pickups.

[@daveelder4792]

Great info here. Thanks for chiming in.

[@chickenlickin3820]

Think this is the guitar Justin Hawkins uses on his channel : )

[@guimarboy]

He uses the non cutaway one

[@texhaines9957]

Was this like the 735-R? Or the Gibson evolution of the Gibson Gospel? Nice demo. Thanks Cooper.

[@texhaines9957]

More of the evolution of the Gospel. The 735 R is nice but not as much volume.

[@texhaines9957]

Cooper, would you use that in place of your Fender OM?

[@soofitnsexy]

fender om??????

[@bobaldo2339]

It sounds great, but I could never buy any acoustic guitar with holes cut in it for electronic controls.

[@Michael-bm8hi]

I think the non cut away version comes with electronics but mounted to the soundhole.

[@bobaldo2339]

Thanks.@@Michael-bm8hi

[@karlcountry2363]

Cooper likes the bridge that looks similar to his mustache.😅

[@HayesTech]

Can you order it without the pickup system? Under saddle pickups ruin the tone and sound of the guitar. I'ld rather mic it and do away with all the smoke and mirrors. I'm another one that feels under saddle pickups interfere with quality sound.

[@LegsON]

The undersaddle stuff robs tone big time. You could only find a non-cutaway model if you want no pickup.

[@jed1166]

Mic works if you sit down, motionless and play solo… playing in a band, I need to stand / move around, and need to control feedback on a loud stage. Gotta plugin… my choice is Stagepro Anthem, (a very high quality tool for stage musicians, not “smoke and mirrors”, as you termed it)…We choose gear based on how we use it… Mic’ing is not an option for me… Also, as for tone, only what the audience hears is important. What I hear sitting on the couch is of absolutely no consequence, as I have heard myself play for 5 decades… Keep strumming!

[@LegsON]

@@jed1166 Well, there are internal mics. Also, magnet pickups are pretty good.

[@HayesTech]

@@jed1166 Than your needs are completely different from most. You are a professional and your gear needs to be chosen according to the audio needs in each of your scenarios. So yes, a pickup is the choice you need. And as I said many times before, I would have a system installed that doesn't use the under saddle pick-up strip, but rather the mics that are glued to the bridge plate. Or even one of those sound hole mounted pick-up systems that kind of looks like a thin humbucker design. I wasn't trying to piss off the ones who use pick-up systems, I just don't like that sound. It is my personal preference. I, like a miced guitar over an ampified one.

[@HayesTech]

@@LegsON Yes, I don't care for the cut-away either. I don't play anything up that far on the fretboard that I would need a cut-away. Thanks..

[@clawhammer704]

If it just didn’t have onboard electronics mounted on the side.

[@jeffsimslmt]

I’ve compared the Songwriter and other Gibsons with the D28 and HD28. The D28 lacks the tone from scalloped bracing provided with the HD28. Gibson’s scalloped bracing is rarely mentioned. The longer scale and rosewood seem to enable the Songwriter to sound as good as the HD28, with better bling.

[@stevenprager203]

I haven’tg

[@BryanGrigsby]

This has the sound I think of when I think accoustic. Taylors are just far too muted/middy for me. I just wish Gibson would tone its appearance down.

[@gfjdhdfghfdjgf6167]

i cannot buy any guitar with hideous external plastic electronic controls. i cant believe they still put them on expensive guitars. Under saddle pickups literally always sound terrible anyway

[@frankstephenson1746]

Ran fishman years ago Hated it On stage? Buy a cedar Takamine Songwriting? Spend $5000

[@soofitnsexy]

the tak is 5 k! niiiice

[@Emberesque]

Lol what’s with the thumbnail?

[@nathanfichter8629]

Gibson acoustics are so gaudy looking

[@lebe220]

Too large for a songwriter.

[@dannardozza7344]

It’s fucking 3,300.00$ ……

[@soofitnsexy]

thats it? worth every penny

[@kenk8242]

Awesome guitar. Totally digging it.