Head to head
Gibson Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony vs Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 78 to 75 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Lower price ($3,999 vs $4,499)
Scorecard
| Metric | Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony | Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 75 | 78 |
| Build | 91 | 96 |
| Playability | 78 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 64 | 68 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony | Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Walnut | Solid Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs VTC |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $4,499 | $3,999 |
| Back | Walnut | Solid Mahogany |
| Binding | Single-ply Top and Back | 6-ply Top, 4-ply Back, Single Ply Fretboard |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss |
| Body shape | Songwriter | Hummingbird EC |
| Body Styles | Square Shoulder | Square Shoulder |
| Bracing | Traditional Hand Scalloped Advanced X-bracing | — |
| Bridge | Traditional Belly Up, Ebony | Belly-up; Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | TUSQ | Ivory Plastic |
| Case | Custom Hardshell Case | Hardshell |
| Controls | Soundhole Mounted Volume and Tone | — |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Teeth | Mother of Pearl Split Parallelogram |
| Fretboard radius | 406.4mm / 16.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 24 | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo and Vic Rattlehead in Mother of Pearl | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue | Glued In, Set Neck; Tapered Dovetail |
| Model | AMSSDMEB | MCSSHBECHCS |
| Nut | TUSQ | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.0mm / 1.69in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin Jack | Combination Battery Box and 1/4" Output Jack |
| Pickguard | Black Modified Songwriter with Vic Rattlehead Artwork | Tortoiseshell Hummingbird with Graphics |
| Preamp | LR Baggs VTC | — |
| Profile | Advanced Response | Rounded C |
| Saddle Material | TUSQ | TUSQ |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Walnut | Solid Mahogany |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | Dual Action |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Black/White with Dave Mustaine Signature | 2-ply Black Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Gold |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic | Grover Rotomatic |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs VTC |
| Finish | — | Gold |
| Strap Buttons | — | 2 - Battery Box/Output Jack and Back of Heel |