ULTIMATE Gibson Acoustic Comparison 2025 - Gibson J-45 vs Hummingbird vs SJ-200 vs L-00

[@gibson]

▶ Products used in this video: Shop ALL Gibson acoustic guitars: bit.ly/3rYivLR Gibson J-45 Standard: bit.ly/3scJhAc Gibson G-Writer: bit.ly/45oruEF Gibson Hummingbird: bit.ly/47qxluW Gibson SJ-200: bit.ly/3OtvRaF Gibson L-00 Studio Rosewood: bit.ly/3OTLyJq International Customers- Please contact your local or preferred dealer for all shipping inquires.

[@martinspreiter8240]

The J200 has a magic in the sound, what no other guitar can give. It´s the combination from Maple and the big round body I think, what makes this outstanding tone. Full and clear. I love it. Not only for strumming. It works at fingerpicking as well. Since I have one, all my other guitars are wallhangers, and I think it´s time to give them away. Thank you for your verry good job.

[@jordanwilliamson2683]

It’s the truth. It’s just, hands down, the best acoustic ever. It baffles me that anyone would think otherwise. It’s just IT.

[@markpope7177]

I've had the J-45 for years and it's still my favorite! I recently purchased a Gibson Dove - incredible sound! Better than the Hummingbird, in my opinion. I'd like your thoughts on those two, head to head...

[@gibson]

Hmmm, good shout! Stay tuned!

[@timblissATT]

I love the look of the Hummingbird but would agree that the Dove sounds better.

[@Richard_Lush]

J-200 wins hands down from a strumming perspective. L-00 finger picking. Just my opinion 😄 Of course they’re all super acoustics. I❤️Gibsons. Martin fan as well but Gibson is always my go to. Had a 1936 L-00 and now have a 1930 L-1 as well as a Custom Shop 36 advanced jumbo. Best acoustics I’ve owned. Keep torrified tops and bring em in to the cheaper line. The sound is so much more vintage and that’s what you want from a Gibson.

[@theguitarbunker]

I’m enjoying this channel very much. My personal favourite acoustic is my Bob Dylan Player’s Edition SJ-200. it’s such a joy to hold and behold. Such premium appointments like the Vintage Sunburst, Double Pickguard, Bella Voce Mother-of-Pearl Inlays, and more! Of course, it’s the playability and tone that’s the crowning glory. Thanks for crafting such a singularly sensational gorgeous guitar!

[@gibson]

Really appreciate the feedback! Thanks for watching.

[@trevorleehinson]

I own the Dylan model as well and it is such a sheer joy to play. It makes 3+ hour gigs effortless, and when plugged in, it growls like a beast.

[@aleksandr306]

what about the unplugged song which is the most important

[@briantwiss9078]

The J45 doesn't give me enough, the SJ gives me too much. The Hummingbird is perfect.

[@stephenandthehumansmusic]

J-45 is my go too acoustic guitar for traveling

[@timblissATT]

I recently bought a J200 after spending some time playing several Gibsons and also a Martin D28. As a singer songwriter who is mostly a strummer the J200 definitely suited me best. It’s hard to be sure whether it is the scale length or the wood choice but I thought the Dove sounded very similar to the J200 & the Hummingbird sounded like a slightly boomier version of the J45. The biggest surprise was the Martin which, with its rosewood back I expected to have the biggest sound of all but was quite in the shade compared to the maple backed Gibsons. Personally I don’t really care for the look of the Dove but it did have a huge sound.

[@walterstreet1467]

I like the l-00 and the faded models the best, but I have to admit the L-00 has the best sound. When I go to buy a new guitar as a senior beginner I will look at these two 8:44

[@jamesm5547]

All are sweet, but if I had to pick one - the Sj-200 is just awesome. Love the punch, full sound and that mustache bridge is so great 👍

[@gibson]

Good choice!

[@jamesm5547]

@gibson Wednesday I had a chance to play a 57' reissue SJ-200, talk about a warm full tone. It was so light weight I thought maybe the wizards in Bozeman took out a few braces - lol Also tried the all black Elvis 200, maple back & sides. Unexpected HUGE bass ~ man what a Canon of a guitar. Now just gotta figure which car to sell to buy them 🙂

[@berniecolandrea679]

Very nice video. I Just bought the J-45 So Nice.

[@spacetygrss]

I have an L-00 standard that I adore. Thinking of buying a J-45 to add to my collection. Thanks for the informative video!

[@gibson]

Glad to have you here!

[@VERBANDTREM]

Great Video, I'm looking to buy a L-00 rosewood. Is the bracing exactly the same on the studio models as the standard models?

[@gibson]

Thanks so much Jesse! And yes both guitars have traditional hand-scalloped X-bracing: www.gibson.com/en-US/Acoustic-Guitar/ACC868611/Antique-Natural

[@stephenandthehumansmusic]

I genuinely prefer the Gibson J45 gives its more vibrant feel, more residence to the playing of the strings.

[@stephenandthehumansmusic]

The Gibson L-00 powerful guitar perfect for bluegrass country

[@jjmuni]

I use a Keb Mo Bluesmaster for the couch or even live but sometimes it has to be the bark of my old J-45.

[@derwood7305]

I love that hummingbird.....

[@gibson]

Beautiful guitars!

[@markharwood7573]

Nice demo. Could have separated the room & pickup sounds though. Of course there isn't a "best", there's the best for a particular player, style or song. Most of us have to choose one great guitar though, maybe two, and after considering the J-45 for a while I've gone for the Hummingbird Standard for an all-rounder. Along with a Taylor 12-string it gives the rest of the small collection a good long break.

[@marc8vino]

You should leave out the pickup mix. Even the SJ200 sounded tiny with that under saddle pickup. It's fine when you need it but these guitars sound much better acoustically. In fact, I removed my pickups from my J-45 and LG-2. I graded to bone nut, saddle, and bridge pins. It improved the sound. I kept the pickups in my Dove and SJ-200 in case I need amplification. All of them are set up and PLEKED. I usually use a Martin GPCPA1+ for live gigs. I might end up taking out the electronics from the Dove and SJ-200. They sound great as is so maybe I don't mess with them. These demos with the pickup sound added in don't sound as good as they really are acoustically.

[@kevindry7452]

Love this comparison- J200 hands down- then my preference is the hummingbird…

[@modern.day.meditations]

Please do these acoustics justice and leave them unplugged. Also choose a professional mic position if you want to demo them properly.

[@jamesdeagle]

Well done!! James

[@SenfMustard]

L00 had a way nicer strumming sound than I thought!

[@pedropenduko2714]

The SJ 200 sound reminds me of old classic folk songs from Bread and America songs in the 80’s very iconic sound, but that big body only suits for larger frame players unfortunately not for me. 🤪 But oh boy the sound is beautiful!!!💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽😎😎😎

[@scottstambaugh8473]

I have an L-00 and a J45 Custom. Best sounding? The J-custom. Most enjoyable to play? L-00. But then, I'm an old guy with a wonky right shoulder, so the smaller body is more comfortable. Badly want a Hummingbird, a Songwriter, and a LG2. Oh, and a J-200. Then, once I have all of them, maybe a Martin.

[@gibson]

Thanks for watching!

[@kenmcf]

J-45 is my favorite in the demo.

[@gibson]

Certainly a classic!

[@ChuckNicholsonTRM]

It’s no ultimate acoustic shootout without classic Gibson acoustic archtops!

[@time4tube1]

I have a 1961 J50. No comparison to any of these. It might have been a better demonstration to play over the sound hole instead of being so close to the bridge. It just makes them all sound too tinny and bright.

[@garryhornbeck8789]

Where is

[@ross9581]

I think the custom shop SJ-200 sounded much better than the standard SJ-200. My 2 cents.

[@ninahua3781]

I’m injoy every single note on that guitar 👏👏👏👏ur are so talented 👏👏👏

[@dougdillman6643]

Dove?

[@KenKuroGuitar]

Why didn't you include the Songwriter?

[@gibson]

We ran out of time on the video!!!

[@concernedcitizen939]

J-45 is King of the Gibson acoustics

[@garryhornbeck8789]

Where us the J-50?

[@warnerconstruction4806]

My Gibson songbird sounds better to me ,but that's probably because it's in my hands when I listen to it !😮😊

[@modern.day.meditations]

It's because he didn't record them properly.

[@alanfox4055]

Where's the Songwriter?

[@gibson]

We ran out of time! To be continued! Thanks for watching.

[@johnheath1868]

That is the worst sounding J-45 I have ever heard

[@calebyiu68]

True😂

[@teodelnorte]

It's the VTC pickup

[@CenterThePendulum]

Are these blended signals, mic and pickup? These all sound like sh!t.

[@Fritz303]

Unplug these demos.

[@BOOLsheet]

Why would they put those awful cheap looking green plastic tuners on any of those beautiful guitars?! 😢