I Was Shocked By How Good This Is! Gibson Murphy Lab 1960 Hummingbird

[@eatswodo]

That’s a delicious warm bath of a guitar - what a lovely, comforting sound.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@eatswodo what a lovely way of putting it!

[@donaldholman9070]

I love hearing you play. I own a few Gibsons. I love them too. In fact i would rather be playing guitar than anything else. My arthritis makes me quit after a couple of hours. I would rather continue but the brain is too great. You have played some great instruments. Thank you for sharing.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@donaldholman9070 thank you for listening Donald, take it easy on your hands. Have you tried Rhus Tox ointment? I’ve heard it can be very effective

[@alastair6356]

A guitar with a great voice, Gibson have definitely got their act together with this guitar. 🤩👍

[@MichaelWatts]

@@alastair6356 Thank you for watching Alastair! I agree!

[@BrianTruesby]

You know I dont say this often, but you should keep that one. The sounds coming out of that thing are impossible to make a case against...

[@MichaelWatts]

@@BrianTruesby I can’t disagree but I have a feeling this one may be spoken for.

[@enigmabletchley6936]

Great to see a video on one of the iconic Gibsons. This is the guitar of my youth, it always brings back memories of smoky, packed pub-room folk clubs of the seventies. The main event either sported a Martin or a Gibson, often the Hummingbird. I visited the Gibson Garage last month in the hope of playing the new 'faded' version but it was out of stock. Instead I played a brand new Vintage in exclusive two-tone burst and even against the Murphy lab and banner J-45s it was imho superior. The one you played is a killer but I wouldn't spring for someone actually damaging the cosmetics as an upgrade 🙂

[@MichaelWatts]

@@enigmabletchley6936 ah that takes me back - my dad would take me to pub gigs to see Renbourn, Grossman, Guillory - I’d come home with my own nicotine patina and my ears ringing with beautiful music

[@jez6345789]

There is no denying that the guitar's sound and your abilities make it a compelling set of tones to own. There is a comfort blanket to those tones that are part of the sonic fabric of acoustic music through the years. I find the whole ageing thing weird on an acoustic, and the way Gibson do it always seems a little odd, some parts, like the paint, get's matted and cracked, but the binding appears a lot younger, same with the inlay. So sonically, I get it, fit and finish less so, but thanks as always for bringing it to our attention alway enjoy the channel.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@jez6345789 Comfort blanket is a great way of putting it Jez! I think this guitar hits a sweet spot for me as it can project rather than leaving me in a lovely fuzzy haze. I don’t mind the aesthetic - I prefer it to a brand new shiny one with Colgate binding. Thanks for watching!

[@maltesetony9030]

Excellent video showcasing an interesting instrument.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@maltesetony9030 thank you Tony, glad you enjoyed it!

[@CaptainOfMyBurden82]

Sounds fantastic! The sound really came together on this one. It’s warm woody and inviting!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@CaptainOfMyBurden82 I’m glad you enjoyed it - it was a pleasure to play!

[@ellenrik]

What a magnificent instrument, I can forgive all of the designed "Road Wear" for the sound. They certainly got it right with this one. Wonderful playing as usual and thank you for a peek into this guitar series.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@ellenrik Thank you Ellenrik and yes - well done Gibson. This one took me by surprise!

[@bluegryp]

Came on here ready to say no way that thing sounds as good as my 1964 bird, but then I watched the video. Wow that thing sounds fantastic. It’s at least as good as, if not better than the best of the early hummingbirds.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@bluegryp I love being surprised by guitars too! Thank you for watching

[@andrewbowen6875]

Love you covering Gibson. I love my 2018 J35 which I bought after Matt Chulka did a good review and bought one himself. The Murphy lab stuff are superb

[@MichaelWatts]

@@andrewbowen6875 Ah his Excellency the bearded avenger. Love Matt, hardly surprised he made it sound great!

[@daciuk8]

WOW Michael that sounds beautiful,a keeper👍

[@MichaelWatts]

@@daciuk8 glad you enjoyed it!

[@chrispile3878]

I think patina should be earned, not applied. That said, this one sounds lovely. Suggest you give a J-185 a shot, Michael. From the Nashville pros I know, the 185 is one used more often in the studio, and it's a nice choice for live playing, too. The smaller size is appealing for players who are shorter, or have smaller hands. Please check one out if you get a chance. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@chrispile3878 I do enjoy a 185 Chris. I played a nice one in Nashville a couple of years ago

[@paulboden7850]

The boys and girls at Bozeman are doing a nice job with these. I believe they're using red spruce for the tops.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@paulboden7850 Very true Paul. This one is advertised as Sitka but they paint it red afterwards 😂

[@paulboden7850]

@MichaelWatts 😂👍 Excellent review, btw.

[@victorbeebe8372]

Mahalo Nui Loa Michael. You make the guitars sound so good. If did buy an acoustic guitar, a Martin D 18 would be one to consider.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@victorbeebe8372 Aloha Victor! Mahalo my friend - the D18 is a wonderful thing!

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Unfortunately the price tag here in New Zealand is NZ$14,184.29 before shipping. I'll have to keep my Alvarez after all. One can dream. Great review Michael. Beautiful instrument. Thanks.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@AnthonyMonaghan Maybe we can persuade Gibson to open their Auckland garage? Thanks for watching Anthony!

[@SaintKimbo]

Yes, here in Australia, these Murphy Lab Gibsons guitars are ridiculously expensive as well, about the same price, nice guitars, but the price is a joke. Could get a number of outstanding Australian Luthiers to custom build something as good as, or better, for half to three quarters of the price, depending on spec.

[@BlackwingDan]

Hi, Michael. I’m confused by your review: Most acoustic cognoscenti say that Rosewood - with its ‘scooped-out’ midrange - leaves more room for the acoustic ranges occupied by vocals, therefore not competing with the vocals. Mahogany’s ‘boosted’ midrange DOES compete with vocals, they say. True, Rosewood does sustain more, which might cause some audible “confusion” during singing performances. Of course, if you were assuming a well-amplified and well-EQ’d stage performance, then I would think you’re right, 100%. But if you’re talking a coffee shop set with little or no amplification, then I would think a Rosewood guitar makes more sense. Maybe we’re just nitpicking, and ANY guitar is the perfect choice if you really like it and it inspires you, eh? Great video, as always.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@BlackwingDan I’d be very wary of anything that comes from most acoustic cognoscenti Dan. Gibson advertised the Hummingbird as the ultimate singer songwriter’s guitar and that’s what made me look at it in those terms. They didn’t offer any advice about what vocal range or whether it was a male or female voice though… and I’m talking purely in terms of unamplified performance and in particular in recordings

[@ozwzrd]

Any "I was shocked" thumbnails result in immediate and total deletion of the channel!

[@bartholomewromero3383]

You make me want a hummingbird, nice video.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@bartholomewromero3383 I’m glad you enjoyed it Bartholomew!

[@stickman55100]

I once owned a 1961 Hummingbird, which I loved, but it never sounded as good as this Murphy Labs model.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@stickman55100 Thank you for watching! Yeah, my experience with this guitar has been eye opening

[@toddneary]

@MichaelWatts - Hi Michael, what mics are you using here? Thanks

[@MichaelWatts]

@@toddneary Hi Todd - I use a matched pair of Gefell M300s and have done for nearly 15 years now

[@Supe-for-the-soul]

You’re right about the large pickguard hindering the resonance of the top, Michael. Some years ago, I did some maintenance work on such a guitar that belongs to a prince here in Bhutan. One of the issues, albeit a minor one, was that the pickguard was peeling off. I removed it entirely with the intention to clean off the dry old glue and layer on a bit of the old hide concoction. I am glad I played the instrument without the guard on a passing whim. It seemed to have grown character. His Royal Highness wasn’t too pleased when he saw his guitar again but he did graciously trust my judgment.😊 As a side note, any chance you can give us the tabs to that opening piece you played?

[@enigmabletchley6936]

There was a penchant back in the 70s for people to remove the pick guards, especially from Hummingbirds and J-45s. In addition, people removed the top varnish and sometimes turned their sunbursts into naturals. I believe Ralph Mctell's famous 60s J-45 - the 'Miss Gibson' - had this treatment although when I saw him play last he only played it for one song as a sort of tribute. And of course, the other upgrade, was to replace the Klusons with Grovers.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@Supe-for-the-soul That is a super anecdote and I’m grateful you shared it with me. If any scions of the royal family are in need of fingerstyle guitar lessons do please let me know.

[@keestoft250]

Michael next time you're down at the Garage, you couldn't just politely request on behalf of us sinister cash limited left handers that Epiphone offer their inspired by Gibson acoustics to us. There's a box of Quality Street and a bottle of Cinzano in it for you.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@keestoft250 I shall let them know! Yum

[@picksalot1]

That's an outstandingly good sounding guitar in the video recording. If it sounds like that in person, you should keep it.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@picksalot1 it did and maybe I should but I think it’s spoken for

[@RoyPortel]

I just watched the video on your friend's vintage Gibsons with dead strings after I watched this one and now I wonder: do you have any ideas about which strings work best on which body or which tonewood? E.g. 80/20 with mahogany or nickel ones on pre-1940s guitars?

[@MichaelWatts]

@@RoyPortel thank you Roy! I prefer Elixir 12-53 PB on anything quite honestly

[@RoyPortel]

@MichaelWatts Thanks for the answer. I recently ordered some 80/20 strings but haven't been able to try them out yet

[@richardsrensen4219]

great sounding guitar!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@richardsrensen4219 thanks for listening Richard, glad you enjoyed it!

[@RahulSharma_JaiMataDi]

Great review… other issues is location of the truss rod that leads to breaking the neck

[@MichaelWatts]

@@RahulSharma_JaiMataDi Thank you Rahul! Yes that can be an issue too along with the headstock angle

[@Richard_Lush]

These are fantastic guitars. I have a ML 33 L-00 that’s as good or better than my 36 L-00 and 30 L-1 (well that’s a stretch but…). It really feels and sounds vintage. If folks get a chance TRY one. You’ll be surprised.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@Richard_Lush I have to agree! Looking forward to showing more of these guitars in the future

[@DavidWren-u3k]

Notwithstanding what anything the current Gibson marketing teams says, if this acoustic guitar has a scale length of 24.75" then it is not a Hummingbird, is only a fancy J-45. Hummingbirds, Doves, (Epi) Frontier, (Epi) Excellente - the up market square shouldered flat tops Gibson manufactured in the 60s - had a scale length of 25.5"

[@MichaelWatts]

@@DavidWren-u3k hello David! Great to hear from you! My understanding is that the longer scale came about in the mid 1960s and therefore this guitar is period accurate in this if nothing else

[@DavidWren-u3k]

@@MichaelWatts If you look at the (old) photos from back in the day (or even old acoustics available on Reverb or GBase), from 61 onwards, the location point on Gibson/Epiphone flattops where the end of the neck crosses the rosette ring is distinctively different on a 25.5" neck compared to a 24.75" scale neck. The 25.5" scale neck crosses the rosette closer to the bridge location than the 24.75" scale neck does. The position of this intersection of the rosette and the end of the neck for the Hummingbird/Dove/Frontier/ Excellente (and even the Texan and the El Dorado) are all the same throughout the entire production period (effectively 61-69 for Epiphone production and a little later for Gibson production). The scale length did not change at all for the Hummingbird in the 60s. ... even though in the very first marketing brochure in 1961 the Hummingbird was listed as 24.75". Apparently no one had bothered to tell the marketing dept. that the Hummingbird was in fact a 25.5" scale length, just like the Martin guitars it was meant to compete against. Now go and look at where the end of the neck crosses the rosette on the 1960s J-45, J-50, Southern Jumbo, Country Western ... which are all Gibson flat tops with a 24.75" scale neck.. This position is different to the Hummingbird/Dove/Frontier etc. I.e the intersection is further away from the bridge location. Now compare the neck intersection with the rosette on the new 2024 Gibson reissue of the Hummingbird ... and tell me which it is the same as... the 24.75" scale or the 25.5" scale? Anyone who tells you the Hummingbird scale lengths changed from 24.75" to 25.5" in the mid 60s is smoking some strong stuff. Plus the reason the square shouldered Hummingbird exists is because the head of Gibson walked into the office of the production manager and placed a 25.5" scale Martin on his desk and said "make a Gibson version" The rest is history. Also ... I own examples of these guitars (Gibson and Epiphone) and I also own a tape measure and are qualified to use it.

[@lutzgottschalk-musik2960]

Man, what a nice tune 1:10 to 1:38 !!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@lutzgottschalk-musik2960 Thank you! Just a little thing I’ve been working on

[@MrKikoboy]

Definitely lovely guitar - but who has 10,000 anything to spend on one?

[@bluegryp]

That’s the thing, you can get a very nice vintage one for about the same if not less than this. Now grant it, this one sounds stellar and some of the older ones are hit or miss, but still, a vintage is going to be a better investment long term. As I said in a post above, my 64 sounds about as good as this one and it’s in mint condition. I got it for like $6k a few years ago. Murphy lab to me, is overpriced.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@bluegryp I had a look at vintage prices and they seem to have risen abruptly

[@davidappleby7214]

Sure does sound sweet, it certainly should for MSRP $6,600+! I've owned a couple of Epiphones in the past, but have never been able to afford a Gibby!

[@robertnewell5057]

Sounds great - and it sounds like a Gibbo, too. I've heard some fine old Gibson's (Ralph McTell's J50, for one, comes to mind) and also played a modern Southern Jumbo which sounded beautiful and played like an electric. For me, the problem has always been quality control. In the same shop I played that SJ, I played 3 other Gibbos that sounded awful and played stiffly. What you are playing is, after all, a custom shop model, so you'd kind of expect it to be a good'un. If they all sounded that good, Gibson would really have something.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@robertnewell5057 consistency was not necessarily an option in the 1960s but if Gibson can keep this standard then they’ll be doing well in my book

[@robertnewell5057]

@@MichaelWatts True, but regret that the ones I was talking about playing were new ones in the 2010s! Still, ONE of them was a cracker!

[@rikukiviharju7537]

More guitars should have fun names like the hummingbird. Might sell better than a string of letters and numbers!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@rikukiviharju7537 That’s true!

[@lhvent]

I like this review. You need to check out an FG9 Mahogany or Rosewood from Yamaha. Also try an L Series from Yamaha.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@lhvent thank you! I’ve played a lot of those over the years - I did a session for the Bert Jansch Foundation on an L series back in the day

[@terrywright7893]

Relic-ing…I still don’t get it. Torrify the top by all means, but why inflict faux-aging? Dings and scratches have no effect on tone, so what’s the point? Like ripped jeans, a beaten up look is a deliberate misrepresentation of the instrument’s age. Who are you trying to fool, and why? Answers on a sepia coloured (teabags will do the trick) postcard, please. Beautifully played, as always, Michael.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@terrywright7893 The joy of this is that it arrives pre-dinged and you can drag it up and down the driveway by the tuners without mourning the results. Actually, I’m going to go on record as saying I think this looks a lot nicer than a brand new sparkly one. Thank you for watching Terry!

[@terrywright7893]

@@MichaelWatts er, remind me not to let you get your talented hands on my Tom Sands’ guitar: yes, my turn has finally arrived!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@terrywright7893 congratulations!

[@terrywright7893]

@@MichaelWatts thank you. I think Tony Blair was in No10 when a placed the order….😉

[@Ziraffe2]

Well - a nice guitar. Tried one in a shop recently, but it was overshadowed by a contemporary 1960 Fixed Bridge version (also torrefied, but not glossy). Well, that's, as you probably know, how it is. These creatures come with individual natures and can only be predicted/categorized so far. You talk about a shorter sustain - and then demonstrates it by strums that don't get time to ring out. In my experience most acoustic guitars chime for between 22 and 24 seconds - what may the the case here, is the curve of decay. Which rhymes with your words about the guitar giving more room for vocal. The entire vintage corner is a chapter of its own. Still it surprises med that you never encountered one of the 1960 to 67-oldies you liked. "Try again", is my advice - but expect something absolutely different from the conventional acoustic realm. Sir, , , there is a reason those ceramic og rosewood/ebony saddled ancestors are among the most beloved instruments on earth. I (for one) would like you to see that light 😎and become a member of the club. Hi from Copenhagen

[@PaulOwens]

Good to see Betteridge's law still going strong in 2024.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@PaulOwens Could it be one of my favourite laws? Find out here!

[@chickenlickin3820]

Nice, but mic placement is not very good. A bit too much boominess. Lessons learned i hope : )

[@MichaelWatts]

@@chickenlickin3820 😂

[@snowfiresunwind]

Sounds great in your hands but is it really worth £6 grand? Also what is the point of making a guitar look aged - just let it happen naturally!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@snowfiresunwind I struggle to think of another short scale square shoulder mahogany dreadnought that performs like this one. RRP is around 7k so if you can find one for 6 even better!

[@mickymillersson4376]

Mine is 14 yrs old. I’m sure I could mistreat it a touch and make it worth 10 grand.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@mickymillersson4376 it’s worth a go!

[@WysteriaGuitar]

Does it also have the authentic "lifting pickguard" like most Gibson acoustics? HAHAHAHAHAHA

[@johnwebb2562]

Where is this Murphy lab 🧪🧫 .? Are they made by Leprechauns? They should be for that price😅. 🌈 🪙.😅.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@johnwebb2562 it’s next to the Laboratoire Garnier

[@saoirsepaddy]

I wouldn't pay 2p for a Gibson Hummingbird they're Ugliest looking Guitars on the Planet in my opinion ! I'm a Ex- Michigander I won't buy a Gibson Acoustic guitar anyways I heard to many horror stories on these Gibson Acoustic real Bad workmanship. On the other hand I would buy Vintage Lloyd Loar Gibson , Mandocello or Harpguitar if I had the money.

[@martinsundland7614]

So what?

[@saoirsepaddy]

@@martinsundland7614 If you said 'So what ! But you put a question mark at the end That means you not sure ! I'm sure of my statement Gibson Hummingbird they're Ugliest looking Guitars on the Planet . Gibson Acoustic guitar are Badly made !

[@martinsundland7614]

@@saoirsepaddy It would be hopeless trying to make sense of what you say.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@saoirsepaddy I would struggle to justify half a million quid on a Loar F5 far more than the price of ownership of this bright red beast with a massive pickguard and ripped jeans aesthetic.

[@saoirsepaddy]

@@martinsundland7614 Anybody above 69 IQ would understand what I'm saying They might disagree with me that's ok different strokes for different folks So sad you have a IQ of 67

[@John-wr6yo]

In my opinion allister atkin makes a better gibson than gibson. Why was gibson so stubborn and slow to up their game. That is one of the biggest dreadnoughts made and not everyone wants a giant big r e d guitar with all of that shit on it . I did my self a favor and bought a east man slope shoulder walnut and red spruce guitar and that solved my slope shoulder problem. The atkin black lg47 made from maple and baked sitka is my most played guitar. These murphy gibsons are over priced and over the years they have ruined their name with me. Gibson finaly got on the torrifaction train a little to late. Robin boucher is the master of torrifaction.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@John-wr6yo I know what you’re getting at John and there are plenty of builders out there (Atkin guitars being one, Dale Fairbanks is another of my favourites) that push the original Gibson design to new heights. This is one of the best new Gibsons I have ever played by some distance and that in itself is cause for celebration

[@ikravchik]

Gibson acoustics are mediocre at best. They may have been considered fine guitars back in the 60s, but not in today’s guitar market.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@ikravchik I know where you’re coming from I really do, and it’s true that Gibson acoustics have been something of a punchline amongst serious acoustic collectors for many years. Having played a lot of them I can understand why. And yet - this guitar (ignoring the aesthetic for a moment) is a surprisingly good example of a square shoulder short scale mahogany dread.

[@John-wr6yo]

From the beginning gibson built its sales mostly on bling. In the early days selling instruments to the lady of the house from door to door. The mandolin and archtop guitars of loar put gibson on the map. Not gibson. I think that any acoustic gibson made out there is made better in quality and sound by luthiers today.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@John-wr6yo I mean yeah - if you want to take it all the way back to 1894 then that is a convincing argument. The fact remains that despite my own reservations I was very pleasantly surprised with this hummingbird.