J45 vs Hummingbird : Only One Gibson Is Staying
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- Опубліковано 1 чер 2024
- Instagram: DrippyTones
Having one great acoustic around the house makes a lot of sense for me, but deciding what that's going to be is a bit difficult. I'm really more of an electric player, so it doesn't make sense to have a bunch of acoustics around. In this video, I break down what separates these two Gibson guitars from each other and which one I ended up deciding on. Hummingbirds are not often stocked in stores so it can be hard to compare these two. Hopefully it helps anyone in a similar situation.
2022 J45 Standard
2020 Hummingbird Original
Recorded using an Apogee Hype Mic
0:00 Hummingbird Intro Tune
0:53 Introduction
1:24 Riff A Hummingbird
1:53 Riff A J45
2:30 What Differences Do I Hear?
3:15 Riff B J45
3:48 Riff B Hummingbird
4:21 Riff C Hummingbird
4:49 Riff C J45
5:24 What's My Choice?
6:24 Riff D Hummingbird
6:52 Riff D J45
7:19 Fingerpick J45
7:50 Fingerpick Hummingbird
8:22 J45 Outro Tune - Розваги
If you cant play the guitar you love, love the guitar you play
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
That was my take exactly. That is definitely one of the best sounding Hummingbirds I've every heard.
Hummingbird is the one! Sounds full and open without those nasal resonances. Love it
Right? Just sounds great
@@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 😊
@@eds4754 just listening on my phone at the moment but it sounds gnarly. We’re definitely into the same music
Just what I thought too. I love the sound of the Hummingbird.
That intro made me grab my guitar straight away! Thank you for the wonderful playing!
Decision understood here- even as a huge J-45 Fanboy. For me it could never be one OR the other. It really depends on the musical situation. That said: Hummingbird AND J-45!!!
Really great review. I love them both. Thanks!
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.
Ha!! I was just at Fuller’s last night playing one lol
Love that store HTX
I love those riffs you were playing! Really suited the guitars.
Excellent job, efficient play & recording, I hear what I've heard when playing those two guitars.
I totally agree with your thoughts and choice.
Love this format! You're a natural in front of the camera.
I dunno about that 😂 But thanks Troy!
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.
I actually loved the J-45 more with strumming. The Hummingbird also sounded great.
fantastic review and comparison mate. thanks. great playing. got my eyes on a bird
Owning both I love them equally as much! Timeless guitars!
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.
I preferred the focus of the J-45 for strumming , but for fingerstyle the Hummingbird was the winner. I think I need both!
I hadn't expected the Hummingbird to sound so good for fingerstyle
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.
Beautiful playing. Thank you.
Thank you for the compliment!
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.
Hummingbird is gorgeous but the J-45 is an iconic sound
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!
Beautiful playing
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.
Great demo!
I’m a Gibson guy. Never had a 45. But both in a mix would sound awesome.
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.
Hummingbird all the way!!! Great video, buddy!!! What gauge strings are on those guitars?
Well done. Which type strings were on the guitars? For your next comparison it would be fun to see a J200 vs. the Hummingbird.
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.
PB’s. Thanks man
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.
Very good job😊thanks
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.
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 😂
I just bought a 2024 Gibson Hummingbird original 2 days ago....what a beautiful great sounding guitar..
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
That Hummingbird has the sustain! So full.
Glad it came across. I really do like both but the bird suits my style
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.
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.
Good choice! I love mine.
Thanks! What year?
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.
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.
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.
I love the Hummingbird. Maybe do a Hummingbird Dove comparison sometime?
Hummingbird is superior here. Love it, no frequency there that bothers me.
Same man
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!
Damn dude that’s awful. What happened? Really sorry to hear that mn
@@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)
@@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 😅
@@the92project Dude I sincerely wish you the best man. Hope it all comes back quickly and you can move on.
Oh damn dude every players nightmare 😭 godspeed!!! Happy healing
I’d piss myself to be able to own either of them! They are both awesome!!!
That song at 1:29 🙌🏼
Blake, this is a very helpful comparison. You bring out the natural sounds of both guitars well. I have a J-45 but am strongly considering a Bird. You mentioned both were strung with light strings but I'm curious if they were both PB strings or another material. Thanks.
Hey Steve- thanks for the kind words. both were strung with Daddario PB Lights
@@blakemansfield2356 Thanks!
I’m dying to try a Hummingbird just to see if there’ll be a noticeable difference from my J35 which i love
Both sound great but I’m going with Hummingbird
Thanks Nick. I concur. Send me your Hermannson
@@blakemansfield2356 the hermannson is like a part of my body now lol
I would have loved to hear you also play a Martin D-18. I agree that the hummingbird sounded better. Great comparison thank you.
Hi. Nice job!
What strings are you using on each guitar?
Thanks!
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
I just like both of them so hard to decide. I'm too used to hearing my Gibson Songwriter!
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.
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!
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
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.
Thanks man! And I agree with you- J45 would work really well for the country thing
Great video! I totally agree about the hummingbird, hopefully I’ll have one later this year.
As for the j45, it’s midrange does seem to help for fingerstyle. Cheers!
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.
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.
Odd that in 52 years of life I've never put my hands on a Hummingbird .... Def going to try now.
J-45 is more folk I would say. Good midrange. Good all-rounder. Hummingbird is sweet and crisp. Good for strumming. They both are great guitars. I would choose J45
What song did you play on hunming bird intro?
Wish I could buy your J-45. I just bought a Hummingbird Custom Koa. Gonna be a while before I can buy another.
regarding this hummingbird is that the antique natural finish ?
Ive always liked the J45 more because it sounds softer and more intimate in terms of tone. The Hummingbird is like that loud, boisterous friend who enters the party and is the centre of attention. The J45 is that quiet, introverted friend you sit in the corner with and have a one-on-one conversation with.
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
JESUS. Shake the frost on a Hummingbird. I’m sold.
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 :>)
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.
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.)
Hummingbird is just lovely
J-45 for me, it's clearer, maybe the sweet spot for all Gibson acoustics
I played both in a store the other day and loved the sound out of both of them, though I am partial to the ‘bird. That said though, the J-45 fit nicely (probably a bit better) in terms of playability but both were a joy to play. I wish I had both (or either!) 😂
Two very different boxes. That Bird resonates for days.
Hummingbirds sounds a lot louder and more lively than they used to be. I tried a few back 10 years ago or so and they sounded good but the volume and power was very low. Like they were stuffed with socks or something. I dunno what’s changed since then but something has changed. Sounds great!
Yep the slope and square shoulders definitely offer a different sound. To me slope shoulders are punchy but don’t have the resonance of a square shoulder guitar. Matter of taste
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.
Strings gauge ? which fells much easier to play ?
Light gauge. Both restrung with same strings about 2 days ago. Hummingbird feels a little easier
An interesting comparison but one thing you do not mention is the price. I don't know what prices are like in the USA but here in Europe a new J-45 will cost you 2,777€ and a new Hummingbird will cost you 3,759€. That's 35% more expensive. I was lucky enough to buy my J-45 back in 2012 and it cost me 1,800€ new. I tried a number of good acoustics at the time including a Hummingbird, a Martin D-18 and Martin D-28 and although the Hummingbird sounded very nice, I didn't think it was worth paying the extra. As you say, the J-45 has a good balanced tone that cuts through the mix and in my view is a more versatile instrument, especially if you're playing in a band.
"Rich and full" mean absolutely nothing. Which one I'd pick? I have both. I plan on having them for a long time
Wow! The Hummingbird (That one anyway) actually sounds better and the J-45 is more mellow and soft sounding.
It's all about the J45!
What you mean’t to say was which one you will buy first . Impossible to make a decision for these two. I bought the J-45 and the poor mans Epiphone Hummingbird IBG which compared side by side to the Gibson Hummingbird ( Well 3 out 5 picked the Epiphone)
Thay are Both Amazing Guitar's . ❤❤❤
To me the Hummingbird sound open, bright, I hear the middle strings dominating the sound whereas the J45 sound better balanced in my ears, a bit darker than the hummingbird, but still sweeter. I can her clearer the treble sounds of the e string. I would choose the J45.
I am lucky enough to own both a j45 and Bird, I like them both so much but for different things
As a solo singing guitarist or in a Band i go with the J45. It's an Instrument that does not want to stand in the front or on top of the singer. Try to sing to both guitars- for me it's the J45.
Why no pitch that Hummingbird against a Martin D 28 or 35, now that would be good.
J45 just has IT
J45 for me ❤
I don't hear a $1000 difference between the two. There's a difference like body shape and scale length and bling. I've played both and liked the j-45. It's a more comfortable to play because of the shorter scale length. I have a j-45 and chose it over the hummingbird. All guitars of the same brand and style don't even sound the same. I like your video and it gives a good comparison. I also played a Martin d-18 when I bought my j-45. I have two martins. The hd-28 and d-35 and I play my j-45 more.
J45 was my choice. Having played both side by side, the J45 is sweeter sounding.
That Hummingbird sounds like a rosewood guitar vs the obviously mahogany sounding J45
How much for the J45?
The bird is the one I want to have ;)
Shake the frost sounds too nice on that hummingbird.
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.
He's still got both is my bet.
Hummingbird for me but they both sound great
hummingbird all the way.... it sounds more colorful and more open and more alive, hands down. My next purchase.
How about the J45 deluxe…😏
What was Riff B???
Hummingbird for me
Thanks Luca. Same man
Great comparison. I had a J15 but always wanted a J45 so bought one back from overseas. I thought I'd be selling the J15 but surprisingly I decided to sell the J45 as the J15 had a sweetness and open sound that the 45 didn't.
It was the best J45 out of 3 at the store as well.