J45 vs Hummingbird : Only One Gibson Is Staying

[@BeatimSteak]

That intro made me grab my guitar straight away! Thank you for the wonderful playing!

[@mrtambourineman6107]

If you cant play the guitar you love, love the guitar you play

[@andrewhumphrey1047]

This is one of the best comparison videos I've seen of these two models. You have a great Hummingbird here. Very open and full. Hummingbirds are truly a players pleasure. It just envelopes you in a sound that is like a blanket. I played a lefty Hummingbird off the shelf at Fullers years ago. I should have picked up as it was a head above any other one I've ever played.

[@chrislonabaugh4883]

Ha!! I was just at Fuller’s last night playing one lol Love that store HTX

[@michaelrixon1161]

The J45 is the sound I hear in my head when I think of acoustic guitars. The Hummingbird is the look that I have in my heart.

[@samk4801]

Interesting. For me it was always the D-18 Martin that epitomized the sound of a mahogany guitar for me. And I owned a 1956 J-45 in excellent condition. And as much as I loved it for its ultra mellow warmth when finger picking or thunderous sound when hammering bluegrass tunes, the D-18 was the sound I heard in my head when thinking about great guitars.

[@Mason_N.]

That's probably the best sounding hummingbird I've heard. I usually perfer a j45 but I think I would keep that one surprisingly over the j45

[@samk4801]

That was my take exactly. That is definitely one of the best sounding Hummingbirds I've every heard.

[@eds4754]

Hummingbird is the one! Sounds full and open without those nasal resonances. Love it

[@blakemansfield2356]

Right? Just sounds great

[@eds4754]

@@blakemansfield2356 Yeah, within 1 second I knew it was the winner. Btw, I watched your IIC+ video today and it inspired me to make a video of my Mark III. Used the settings you had as a starting point and it worked great 😊

[@blakemansfield2356]

@@eds4754 just listening on my phone at the moment but it sounds gnarly. We’re definitely into the same music

[@USNAVDC]

Just what I thought too. I love the sound of the Hummingbird.

[@hawkeye466]

I’m not to the end of the video yet……but it’s the Hummingbird for me.

[@drewkingson]

One of the best comparisons I've heard - now I need to buy a Hummingbird

[@holzhausholz8215]

I preferred the focus of the J-45 for strumming , but for fingerstyle the Hummingbird was the winner. I think I need both!

[@sisdl15]

I hadn't expected the Hummingbird to sound so good for fingerstyle

[@cristopherjohansson1323]

Owning both I love them equally as much! Timeless guitars!

[@troyguitarist]

Love this format! You're a natural in front of the camera.

[@blakemansfield2356]

I dunno about that 😂 But thanks Troy!

[@stubrakon9683]

Great playing! Suited both guitars perfectly. I have a j45 and love it. Hummingbird is very beautiful. Love them both👍😃😎🤘

[@jessiemartinez7681]

2 years later, this video is still so relevant. Gibson continues to make these awesome guitars that become people's dream guitars. Thank you for the review and demo.

[@gforce7four]

The J45 is highly responsive and doesn't take hard strumming well. When you really lighten the touch like you did at the very end it really shines.

[@dimitri043]

I actually loved the J-45 more with strumming. The Hummingbird also sounded great.

[@MrShamus07]

Great comparison video! Just the appearance alone between these two guitars gives you the perfect analogy: the J-45, while very attractive in its own right, is rather plain looking in comparison to the Hummingbird, and is like listening to a solo act. Whereas the Hummingbird is all blinged out in appearance, and is more like listening to a full orchestra. Both are excellent guitars, but it just depends on what you like. I'd love having them both, but if I could only own one, I would rather have the solo act - the J-45.

[@joshtimmons7332]

Good video. I like the fuller sound of the Hummingbird as well. Both guitars sound great tho

[@theotherside001]

Thanks for the demo! For me years ago I was at a crossroads and went with the standard Heritage cherry sunburst Hummingbird. It seemed to fill in ALL the blanks. As you say, the Hummingbird takes up alot of room like putting the frame on a picture for the finishing touch. Wait til that bird really starts opening up in years to come! BTW folks he is playing the real Hummingbird (noted by the pickguard). Congratulations on owning your bird. Thanks again ! Nice down to earth review.

[@Markyroson]

I have it’s little epiphone brother. Played the real one at a store the other day and it was gorgeous. I wish I could’ve walked home with it 😂

[@robertgladstein]

I just bought a 2024 Gibson Hummingbird original 2 days ago....what a beautiful great sounding guitar..

[@deborahmcalister3936]

I just parted with my 50's j45 and kept my bird... .. Love them both... It was a "Sophie's choice". They are both killer! Can't go wrong with either!

[@JustinMintz01]

What song is the outro tune? Gorgeous. Thanks for doing this. Love my j45

[@GGGtube]

Are you playing with a pick? It looks like it but I can't physically see it. 😂 both are great guitars and sound awesome! Nice playing and great showcasing of 2 fine instruments.

[@dw1208]

Two fantastic guitars👍👍

[@uvp5000]

Punchy and focused or open and resonant? Open and resonant for me anytime. I can control open and resonant, but I cannot make punchy and focused open and resonant.

[@harveymoon6733]

Thanks for the review and your choice of absolute banger on guitar

[@Bham67]

Well done. Which type strings were on the guitars? For your next comparison it would be fun to see a J200 vs. the Hummingbird.

[@liberalsrmentallyflawed3611]

I have the same Bird. Its the original model. I also own a Southern Jumbo Original. But eversince I purchased 2 Martin D18s. The Gibsons never leave their cases. I have the natural finish and the 1933 Ambertone finish. Reason for 2 is, I put a pickup in one...

[@ahill209]

Agree with the Hummingbird selection. I used to own a J45 and ended up trading it in for something else. It had that classic Gibson sound, but mostly suited for strumming and in my case, the quality of construction was pretty poor with glue squeezout and ragged bracing cuts. A lot more expensive, but my spruce top with mahogany back and sides guitar now is a Martin D-18.

[@wayneminor5559]

Thank you for such and excellent comparison. In your demo, that Humming Bird is the clear winner overall but I prefer more dressed down guitars and even tone in some cases. I have a D28CW for big sound but am sure revisiting my hankering to own a sunburst J45 or Southern Jumbo. This video is helping with my decision. Your acoustic playing is stunning by the way.

[@robstonezone354]

I’m a Gibson guy. Never had a 45. But both in a mix would sound awesome.

[@mattsb17]

Beautiful intro !

[@cozmos21]

Agreed! Although there is difference between the Standard J45 VS J45 Original as well. Seems like the Original collections sound more open as opposed to Standards.

[@oldtimer1467]

Just purchased a new hummingbird , partly due to this honest review . I have always been into Taylor's but can't stand their ES pickup system. Martin HD 35 was a contender but had no pickup .

[@laddnolen6617]

Great job on the review on these two, I love them both for different reasons. The hummingbird is really beautiful. sounds sweet, really nice and warm for strumming rhythm, and the J45 sounds brighter, teneor, old school , I can hear Jimmy Rodgers. great for finger picking. If i had the money, of course id own both of them.

[@markharwood7573]

Good comparison demo. Thank you. It's interesting to hear the guitars from the front. I am a recent convert to the Hummingbird. For me it does everything better than the J-45. That is a very fine instrument but the 'bird & a Taylor 12-string have pretty much retired my other boxes.

[@mikeaylwardjr]

Unrelated to anything else in this video, that intro/ outro tune is gorgeous

[@AnthonyBurrito1313]

I am lucky enough to own both a j45 and Bird, I like them both so much but for different things

[@manitalks_71]

Very good job😊thanks

[@Proarro308]

I have a 2012 Country Western Sheryl Crow signature which I love but this Hummy sounds damn sweet and good. I'll try out these D'Daddario strings for sure. I was planning to buy a new J45 as well but hm... I keep on hesitating

[@softsouthernknight]

That Hummingbird has the sustain! So full.

[@blakemansfield2356]

Glad it came across. I really do like both but the bird suits my style

[@rivugghio]

This video is the best comparison I've ever seen. At the moment I'm deciding between the two guitars. I found 2 people selling these guitars at a reasonable price! The hummingbird (like you said) a wider sound, but I also like the more woody sound of the J-45. but I'm really torn!

[@jixxxxer17]

which one did you like most when you actually played them, thanks ?

[@shivermetimbers5359]

Great demo what strings are you using?Sounds like phospur bronze .Love the tone .I have 80/20 bronze at the moment on .Have a great day!

[@tractordirt]

Nice! Very helpful, and great paying. Don’t play a lot of acoustic-have a Martin M38 I like a lot. I just played a Hummingbird at a local shop. Dang! Loved it. Need to get my hands on aJ45 and compare. Was set on getting a D-18 but may change that!

[@jonizefox]

Excellent job, efficient play & recording, I hear what I've heard when playing those two guitars. I totally agree with your thoughts and choice.

[@mangoes7453]

fantastic review and comparison mate. thanks. great playing. got my eyes on a bird

[@andrewbowen6875]

Having got a good offer my boutique Brook 12 fret Custom Taw Guitar today from a guitar shop I had the luxury of playing over a dozen different Gibson acoustics. So I have a really good J35 I bought used and immediately I knew it was a keeper. Today I wanted to see how a Hummingbird with the same materials as my J35 would differ if at all? I played a Hummingbird faded natural top and a studio tobacco burst and as I was expecting something amazing to say I was underwhelmed would be an understatement. Equally the J45 and a very expensive 1936 era replica of a J35 were also nowhere near as good as mine so I would say that being as they are factory made its imperative that one tries as many Gibson’s as you can to find that good one

[@shaynegreen]

Really great review. I love them both. Thanks!

[@alann5003]

I would have loved to hear you also play a Martin D-18. I agree that the hummingbird sounded better. Great comparison thank you.

[@andrewbowen6875]

I’m dying to try a Hummingbird just to see if there’ll be a noticeable difference from my J35 which i love

[@bethanycaudill9161]

Love the hummingbird ❤ like to hear it up against a J200 Gibson!!!!!❤

[@chloegregory5302]

That song at 1:29 🙌🏼

[@stevec.1802]

Excellent presentation and comparison. Btw-the last song you played on the J45 I’ve heard before but don’t recall the name. Carl Miner plays a similar melody on one of his presentation videos.

[@Iceveign]

I actually prefer the Gibson Dove over the Hummingbird, but only through the video comparisons I've seen, have never actually played either. Great video.

[@chrislocke1042]

Loved the Comparison thank you.. What made this a great video was the fact you strummed it not picked it as if you were in the Deliverance movie. But I do have a question. Is there a size difference besides J45 being a slope shoulder and the Hummingbird being a Square shoulder? I have jurassic park arms by site the hummingbird looks bigger.

[@coaltrain]

Odd that in 52 years of life I've never put my hands on a Hummingbird .... Def going to try now.

[@Markyroson]

I love those riffs you were playing! Really suited the guitars.

[@garyfalk8993]

I have J-45 custom mystic rosewood back & sides & it’s a something! Just amazing fabulous sound-miracle! Peace ✌️

[@eddyj3862]

Hummingbird all the way!!! Great video, buddy!!! What gauge strings are on those guitars?

[@jbilly24]

Martin guy with a D18 authentic but want to add a warmer short scale guitar to my arsenal. Both guitars sound great but for me it's the J45. The Hummingbird is awesome, but a little too similar to my authentic. For me it's between the J45 and the SJ-200.

[@techdeathhippie6319]

Both sound great but I’m going with Hummingbird

[@blakemansfield2356]

Thanks Nick. I concur. Send me your Hermannson

[@techdeathhippie6319]

@@blakemansfield2356 the hermannson is like a part of my body now lol

[@nogamenolife705]

How did you find the necks between the two? I know the J45 has a slim neck and maybe that would make a difference for people like me with smaller hands? On sound I prefer the hummingbird but appreciate the focus of the J45. Lovely demo.

[@smokinjaws3310]

I know I’m biased because I have a 1966 hummingbird, but I just love the deep tone.

[@Christ-is-King-]

The standard J vs the banner J is no comparison. That hummingbird you have does sound amazing.

[@roxyroo7042]

Beautiful playing. Thank you.

[@blakemansfield2356]

Thank you for the compliment!

[@hbacoustic762]

Take the pick guard off the Hummingbird and it will sound even better. A lot better. Really like your video. I sit and play one guitar after another for hours just to hear their differences! I like Gibson’s better than any as well. They don’t have the consistent quality of Martins, but when I find a good Gibson, I KEEP IT.

[@the92project]

Hummingbird is my dream guitar. Unfortunately I hurt my hand badly and can’t play a freaking G chord. Months of painful therapy ahead. But really enjoy other people play. This was great!

[@blakemansfield2356]

Damn dude that’s awful. What happened? Really sorry to hear that mn

[@the92project]

@@blakemansfield2356 took a really bad dumb fall and dislocated one finger and sprained two others on my left hand. No broken bones but ligaments torn and bruised. I have easily 2 more months of therapy to regain full mobility (being optimistic)

[@the92project]

@@blakemansfield2356 funny thing, guitar playing is part of the therapy. They want me to force myself to play whatever I can and make progress. I can make a lame G chord but D chord is way out of reach for now 😅

[@blakemansfield2356]

@@the92project Dude I sincerely wish you the best man. Hope it all comes back quickly and you can move on.

[@Ledzepfan88]

Oh damn dude every players nightmare 😭 godspeed!!! Happy healing

[@sorencin11]

Great demo!

[@bigduke6702]

Beautiful playing

[@codyscott8687]

I’d piss myself to be able to own either of them! They are both awesome!!!

[@drewleclair1281]

You are a REALLY great player my friend. Hummingbird all the way. The J45 would be the right choice for country recordings, but the Hummingbird sounds so much better for probably anything else.

[@blakemansfield2356]

Thanks man! And I agree with you- J45 would work really well for the country thing

[@lylehutz]

I've got the J45 and I am moving my way up to the hummingbird.

[@frankstephenson1746]

Hummingbird all the way. I played my cedar top/rosewood Takamine on stage with my buddy on a J45. The Tak was twice the guitar. He sold the 45 a week later lol That being said, the bird is my favourite unplugged. More character in the sound

[@martinsundland7614]

Taks are great plugged in but unplugged not so much.

[@LoveNPeaceNGuitar]

Need both

[@MikeFerguson-yq2jh]

I do think there is a difference in tone separation between the two guitars, I prefer the body style of the J45 over the Hummingbird. The Hummingbird has great tonal qualities but the smaller body appeals to me much more.

[@kenmcf]

I think the Hummingbird is Gibsons version of the Martin D18...I have a J-45 but I just gravitated to its unique sound. An undertone of beauty. The J-45 was about 1K cheaper for me also :>)

[@kenmcf]

Forgot to mention I have a Martin D-18...its a sycamore however...but it has the boomy open treble similar to the HummingBird...If i was rich...I would get a White Dove ebony...just for the looks! I want to move the D-18 and just get a regular Mahogany.

[@robtebay1]

I love the Hummingbird. Maybe do a Hummingbird Dove comparison sometime?

[@jean-marielegoff8546]

Thank you, where can i find the tab of the first music? Carl Miner?

[@blakemansfield2356]

I’m not sure there is a tab. Just learned by watching him

[@jojogun1957]

@@blakemansfield2356 Thanks,I knew I heard that somewhere but couldn't think of his name.

[@danny4541]

The Hummingbird sounds great, I have to admit. But I don't like the pickguard. It's a bit difficult for me. I would actually like to have the 00-size but the Hummingbird inlays and head stock look soo good :)

[@rodneygriffis9282]

Hummingbird all the way. I just bought my first Hummingbird Original. I don't need to think twice. Nothing sounds like a Hummingbird except a Hummingbird

[@guitarlight3935]

Great review thank you! I have both these guitars. May I ask if you were playing 80/20's on these or Phosphor Bronze?? Makes a big difference.

[@blakemansfield2356]

PB’s. Thanks man

[@kentlawson9182]

Once that J45 opens up look out! Still new!

[@Mike-ky9jz]

J45 was seemingly louder with the bigger mid range punch....but the hummingbird with the mid scoop bringing out the brightness and the base as well.....if I'm sitting around just playing an acoustic, and I can only pick one of the 2,.... I'll take the hummingbird.

[@GMS8201]

As a guitar player, I prefer the J45, but as a singer/songwriter, I prefer the Hummingbird. Why does Gibson have to take all of my money?! 😂

[@robstonezone354]

Good choice! I love mine.

[@blakemansfield2356]

Thanks! What year?

[@lilycat1694]

Hummingbird is wonderful. J45 is awfully nice too, but in your comparison, the Hummingbird sounds the best. Do you own any Martin guitars. I have an affordable Seagull guitar, and if I were to splurge for a higher end, it would be a Gibson Hummingbird, or Martin HD28. Think I would choose the Gibson!

[@user-vy5gx1lc2t]

What was that song you played with the hummingbird in the intro?

[@rejuvenator8966]

I'm surprised J45 sounds so tinny. Usually in comparisons it comes off warmer and more balanced

[@HarryNicNicholas]

guitars are weird things. i have a 66 j45 i bought in the 70's that i always thought of as the "yardstick" to measure the 50 or 60 guitars i've bought and sold since 2012. but. i bought a martin OOOX1, the "plastic one" a few years ago and it really blows my mind, even at the moment with year old strings on, it doesn't sound dead but really mellow, with new strings on it blows my mind. my line up is: the 66 j45, a 2014 j35, the martin OOOx1, a martin OOOX1AE (i bought to compare), a 69 epiphone texan, a 2016 maton ebg808TE and a couple of laminate guitars i bought for various reasons. i cycle through my guitars, i'll put strings on one and keep that out, then as the strings lose their ping, i'll dig something else out and so on. after i got the martin i started to wonder "just how good is my j45?" so you can find some comparison vids of my own, but what happened recently was i dug out the j45, it had been in it's case for a few months, and it sounds fantastic again, better than it ever has. and then as the strings dulled, i dug out the j35, and it too sounds better than it ever has. i don't know what the factor is, weather, humidity, being in a different room, being in a different case, something has effected the sound and improved it.

[@adventureunderground2234]

Wish I could buy your J-45. I just bought a Hummingbird Custom Koa. Gonna be a while before I can buy another.

[@kylecravens6501]

For me, the Hummingbird is the winner. More unique (a lot of people have J-45s) and has it's own sound I could pick out from 100 other guitars which is hard to do. J-45 is polite and balanced, but more generic. I think you made the right choice! For me the harder choice is Hummingbird or Southern Jumbo. I'd probably have to play both to know for sure. Sadly I've only played the smaller bodied Gibsons and J-45 but from sounds online, these two are my faves.

[@liberalsrmentallyflawed3611]

The Southern Jumbo is the same guitar as a J45. Except for binding around the neck. Parallelogram fret board. A little more ply on the binding around the back of the body. Same body, bracing, same tone woods, scale length, nut width.

[@524coconut]

I listen to the whole video without watching, and on each one I picked the J 45 especially that last tune that you played I feel like it may be records better than the hummingbird, even if the hummingbird sounds better in the room, which would be the important thing to me

[@Rinty145]

Why no pitch that Hummingbird against a Martin D 28 or 35, now that would be good.

[@vincentlussier8264]

I just like both of them so hard to decide. I'm too used to hearing my Gibson Songwriter!

[@gtrplr42]

I own both of these guitars. The Hummingbird has a deep, rich, bassy tone. The J45 definitely cuts through the mix better. They both have their place and are different enough to justify having both

[@samk4801]

Interesting. You thought the J-45 sounded a bit tinny, and I thought it sounded a bit tubby. I think the Hummingbird you have was bordering on the J-200 -- a really BIG, and OPEN sound. The J-45 has a really big sound but it's more limited in range. Just my take. Thanks for the video. (NOTE: I just watched a video on the model of Hummingbird you were playing -- the faded Hummingbird. Because of the lighter finish, it's known to have a more open sound, maybe factoring into why I liked your Hummingbird model the best.)

[@HungryH1951]

I love them both. But it is situational. There are times and certain tunes I would prefer the J-45. But they are both great sounding guitars.

[@steveweiskopf2129]

There is not much of a boom or low end to any Hummingbird I've ever played like the 45 or Jumbo, but you get a chimey crispness that is hard to pass up.

[@seanpyrtle5603]

J45 for me ❤

[@doublejuice2000]

What was Riff B???

[@lucyjordan214]

Yeah I feel like it’s familiar

[@Steven_Lee_Music]

I don't need wide open sound. I need tight sound. As a singer songwriter I don't want to compete vocally with the guitar, I want it to stay in its place. The J-45 does that.

[@GregSeel-o6o]

TRY REPLACING THE TUSQ SADDLE ON THE J-45 WITH A BONE SADDLE FROM BOB COLISI AND BONE BRIDGE PINS. YOU WILL BE GREATLY REWARDED.

[@IndyRockStar]

My bias is with the J45 because I just bought one, but I have to admit on it's own, the Hummingbird sounds better. The J-45 I think, I hope, will be better in the studio where I need it.