Head to head
Gibson Hummingbird Faded, Natural vs Gibson Hummingbird Special, Satin Wine Red
The verdict
The Gibson Hummingbird Special, Satin Wine Red comes out ahead overall — 78 to 74 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson Hummingbird Faded, Natural wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson Hummingbird Special, Satin Wine Red wins on
- Better build (96 vs 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (68 vs 63)
- Lower price ($2,199 vs $3,499)
Scorecard
| Metric | Hummingbird Faded, Natural | Hummingbird Special, Satin Wine Red |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 74 | 78 |
| Build | 91 | 96 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 63 | 68 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Hummingbird Faded, Natural | Hummingbird Special, Satin Wine Red |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Solid Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Utile |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $3,499 | $2,199 |
| Back | Mahogany | Solid Mahogany |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard | Single-ply Cream, Top and Back |
| Body Finish | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | Hummingbird | Hummingbird |
| Body Styles | Square Shoulder | Square Shoulder |
| Bracing | Traditional Hand-scalloped X-bracing | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | Traditional Belly Up, Rosewood | Traditional Belly Up, Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | TUSQ | TUSQ |
| Case | Hardshell Case | Premium Soft Shell |
| Controls | Soundhole Mounted Volume and Tone | Soundhole Mounted Volume |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Parallelograms | Pearloid Parallelogram |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | OCSSHFAN | MCSSHBSPCWR |
| Nut | Bone | TUSQ |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin Jack | 1/4" Endpin |
| Pickguard | Hummingbird | Hummingbird with Simplified Stamped Graphics; Tortoise |
| Preamp | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Profile | Rounded | Rounded |
| Saddle Material | Bone | TUSQ |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Mahogany | 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 | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | Hummingbird | 2-ply Black |
| Tuner Plating | Gold | Nickel |
| Tuners | Gold Gotoh with Green Keystone Buttons | Grover Rotomatic |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Gibson Logo and Crown in Gold Silkscreen |