Is the Gibson Hummingbird 12 String Guitar Worth the Investment?

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

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[@hauntedchannel9163]

That sounds absolutely stunning!!!!!

[@orvillegibson188]

I had been playing a Martin 12 for 12 years, a DX12 first, then upgraded to a D12-3212 Shenadoah. Both were excellent instruments but there were still tiny shortcomings to both. Then i spotted a Hummingbird Pro 12 for sale in Japan. I had seen these come and go (quickly) on Reverb, sometimes in minutes, so i just grabbed my plastic and bought it. It played great straight out of the case. I took it for a setup and when it came back, it sounded amazing. Full range of tones, no buzzes or flat spots, fast neck, and doesn't go out of tune. I play in Open D. I'm missing my right index finger, so can't hold a pick, and have to fingerpick, and it was this that made the Gibson shine above the Martins. The 'bird has "Presence". This girl is LOUD. You know it's there. It articulates every note. I do a lot of acoustic gigs, (funerals mostly) often playing above wails and sobs, and this cuts right through. Everything about it is above any 12er I've owned. Not prone to neck dive, comfortable to hold and play. I bought it with case and candy for USD$5400, purchased, landed in Australia and taxed. Did I need it? Well ... I sold both my Martins 2 weeks after it arrived, so I guess I did. Rip off? No. It does it all. It's a great match for my 6 string, a Morris Brazilian Rosewood from the 70s. This is the best 12er I have ever owned or played. Superb.

[@enigmabletchley6936]

I wasn't expecting to admit that the sound of this guitar is freakin' awesome. I admit: it is freakin' awesome!!!!! Had my eye on a Gibson J-45 12 String, now my GAS is elevated to a higher level.

[@07blackdog]

A great honest review. The value of a 12 string is simply that it's an entirely different experience, if you need to break the monotony.

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

Agreed!

[@mattaebi]

I got this guitar new and my wife will not let me play 6 string at my acoustic gigs anymore. My entire set list is played on 12 string. This guitar is amazing and plays like butter. Intonation is spot on.No issues there. acoustic tone is awesome, and plugged in, the LR Baggs system is the best I have heard in my 40 year professional career. If you can get one of these, do it!

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

Congrats on the new guitar. 12 strings are pretty cool.

[@kingrobert1st]

I only own 1 guitar and its a custom 12 string jumbo cutaway with a fully compensated saddle, 18:1 ratio machine heads, sitka spruce top, amazaque sides and back, ebony finger board and bridge, K&K pick ups and a mahogany neck. Wouldn't' change it for another one - not now after 40 years!

[@mauriceaucoin1570]

I own one. I play it all the time at solo gigs as an 8 string. Don't know how I got by with out it

[@wongnaichungrd]

I just brought a Martin J-16 12 string principally for recording purposes but it's such fun to play I'm thinking of taking it out to an open mic situation and do some 12 string friendly songs. It's a beautiful instrument. I have 6-7 electric guitars so sacrificed a 335, which I hardly played, for it. It's something a bit different but like chocolate, it goes best in smallish doses.

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

lol nice! Oh man I don’t think I could part with my 335 unless I found a better one. Small doses is true. What other guitars do you have?

[@wongnaichungrd]

@@SummitGuitarSchool Thanks for the reply. I have a Gibson ES175, Japanese Epi Casino, 52RI Tele, California Strat, 62RI Jazzmaster, 64RI Jazz Bass, Taylor 510, two Rameriz classical guitars, Fender acoustic bass and an Eastman mandolin. Now of course I have the 12 string👍

[@1minutecomicswalahollywood648]

Hello, I am a beginner guitarist. I have only one guitar carbon fiber acoustic🎸 & I am unable to play chords. What are the possibilities? I have no problem playing solos. Please tell me. It would be a great help.

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

Possibilities are endless you just have to start learning and practicing.

[@kingrobert1st]

Join my band. I can't solo but I can play chords!

[@1minutecomicswalahollywood648]

@@kingrobert1st Thank you, Robert. ❤️

[@kartpilot63]

AMAZING!!! Playing & Sound!!!

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

Thank you so much. It means a lot that you would even watch my video. I appreciate it more than you know.

[@mattaebi]

I'm writing this comment at 0:37 in......Yes, the build quality is there for the $2400 price tag paid for mine new. Setup was perfect, intonation was spot on. Finish was great. Tone was full and balanced with the mid punch that hummingbirds have Ever notice how Gibson doesnt have notched saddle at the B but it still intonates? Its work it. SO much so I got a custom shop Dove 12 string. which sounds even better.

[@mattaebi]

I do my whole acoustic gig on the 12 string now. I rarely play my 6 string hummingbird anymore.

[@HellraiserJohnnyGuitarTech]

I almost didn't get mine! I had to scramble from PA to SC to pick up before it sold. Worth the price? Ok, so try finding one of these today, Good Luck! I think it was worth every penny of $2,300.00 I paid. As a songwriter, I use it in the studio all the time. Tones are increasable - 100% Gibson sweet! I tend to use stereo mic and the on board transducer and blend them together on 3 tracks. it's killer. PS: I had my guy at Gibson check the production #'s and only 355 of these 2018 Gibson Hummingbird Pro 12-String Acoustic were made in 2018 and they will never make them again in our lifetime.

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

hey thanks for the comment. This guitar sounds incredible for sure.

[@triples4good]

I just found your channel. Loving it. I think it sounds absolutely amazing. The thing about 12 strings I think part of the magic is that it’s just a very very slight bit out of tune. I think if you are a gigging musician, this gorgeous guitar is not one I would take gigging for many different reasons. I think it’s definitely worth the price. Just subbed.

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

Thanks for the comment. It is totally worth the price. Like you said it would be hard to want to take it to a gig. Thanks for checking out my channel. More lessons coming soon.

[@triples4good]

@@SummitGuitarSchool thanks I’m looking forward to the upcoming lessons !

[@nicolasmaurin182]

Sounds amazing

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

thank you

[@rodney4266]

It sounds great love all those tunes gonna get one. Will try epi Hummingbird, sounds in tune to me

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

Rock on!

[@Max-ys1dw]

Great sound.

[@pureinspiration9140]

Amazing sound!

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

Thanks

[@bobbyjones4917]

I love the Guitar and the sound, and of course, you make it sound great. I personally own a Taylor 12-string and love it as well, I just need to learn how to play well. Maybe some future lessons with you will help. Thank you for the education.

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

Cool, thanks!

[@p.williamfox6417]

It sounds and looks great! If you don’t mind me asking. What strings are you running on it?

[@kingrobert1st]

I tune my 12 string down to C# and use 16 / 52 (heavy top light bottom). I make the sets up myself!

[@p.williamfox6417]

@@kingrobert1st That’s what I ended up doing with mine also was putting my own mix of custom strings and using it half step down or Hawaiian slack key tuning. Thomason-Infeld strings are what I am using on a Martin Grand J-16e.

[@petersmith-iz6im]

Sounds good !

[@ronsiegel1084]

Do you offer private lessons?

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

I do! Via zoom.

[@ronsiegel1084]

@@SummitGuitarSchool What is your rate please?

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

@@ronsiegel1084 message me your email on Facebook or Instagram and can send you that info.

[@jamesdykejr2980]

I personally love the twelve string acoustic guitar. I have an Epiphone Hummingbird acoustic and it plays and sounds really good. I would love to have a real Gibson 12 string Hummingbird no matter what the cost. My Epiphone stays in tune real well as I play finger style.

[@raydunn9435]

I have the J-185 12 in flame maple so, no I don't need it...but I would take it if you don't want it!

[@steby123]

Sounds like Gibson acoustic twelve with no noticeable tone faults; what I would expect from a mid range Gibson .

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

indeed it sounds great

[@garryblack2098]

Twelve strings make you sing along with them I love em, unfortunately my Taylor 254ce has gone back it bellied and the action went to pot ! 😎

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

They do sound great don't they.

[@kingrobert1st]

I think they have too much top. Doesn't matter which way you strum it you only hear the octave strings.@@SummitGuitarSchool

[@Sweatyfleariddledcamelblanket]

Sounds good

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

thanks!

[@karls.623]

Yes!

[@thirdgearband]

Martin D12-28 best 12 hands down!

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

Thanks

[@jean-bernardbrault2753]

From what I hear 12 strings will always get a little out of tune. For some that will be hell on earth for others it will be that special touch of magic in the sound. To paraphrase a well known expression beauty lies in the ear of the beholder.

[@SummitGuitarSchool]

I like it! Do you have one?

[@jean-bernardbrault2753]

@@SummitGuitarSchoolNo I don't have one but I am seriously thinking about getting one. I have been going to different music stores these past weeks but haven't found any gems yet. Up to now I've only seen poor craftsmanship (like frets that will transform your hand in hamburger). I guess I will have to buy on the net but I am rather old fashion so that doesn't resonate well with me. To be honest, most stores were out of stock in what I consider good guitars, I mean a 12 string at 250$ CA?. You're going to have to go through well over a hundred guitars before you find one that is moderately good.​

[@petersmith-iz6im]

Yeah, - I have paid more ... if I am going to play a 12 string, I do not want a toy.my audience is going to get the best I can give.

[@kingrobert1st]

I think it needs a cutaway and a fully compensated saddle. Otherwise worth every cent of 2,600 bucks!

[@toddglacy1161]

The "tone" of the guitar through my mini computer speakers was crap...(true for every guitar, which is why playing demos are not as useful as your objective and subjective hands-on feedback)

[@timothyahernRoxyCat]

Please, hold it. Before you go with this, new or young guitarists should know that on the Island of Acoustic Guitars, if you invite a Dreadnaut to dance you’ll be dancing with the ugliest one on the island. New comers might no know that. Okay, continue …

[@eagleheadterraceia2803]

The Greatest rock songs had a twelve. Stairway and Hotel Cali. Its worth it... Its a Gibson... I could here the awsome Gibson chime.