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Head to head

Gibson Hummingbird Special, Left-Handed, Satin Honey Burst vs Gibson Slash J-45, Vermillion Burst

Gibson Hummingbird Special, Left-Handed, Satin Honey Burst
Acoustic$2,199
No ratings yet
78Overall / 100
Gibson Slash J-45, Vermillion Burst
Acoustic$3,499
No ratings yet
72Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson Hummingbird Special, Left-Handed, Satin Honey Burst comes out ahead overall — 78 to 72 on our estimated score.

Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.

Gibson Hummingbird Special, Left-Handed, Satin Honey Burst wins on
  • Better build (96 vs 87)
  • Better sound (68 vs 60)
  • Better value (68 vs 62)
  • Lower price ($2,199 vs $3,499)
Gibson Slash J-45, Vermillion Burst wins on

No standout advantage.

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricHummingbird Special, Left-Handed, Satin Honey BurstSlash J-45, Vermillion Burst
Overall7872
Build9687
Playability7575
Sound6860
Value6862

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecHummingbird Special, Left-Handed, Satin Honey BurstSlash J-45, Vermillion Burst
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years——
CountryUSUS
Body woodSolid MahoganyMahogany
Neck woodUtileMahogany
FretboardRosewoodRosewood
Strings66
Frets2020
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsLR Baggs Element BronzeLR Baggs VTC
Rating——
Price$2,199$3,499
BackSolid MahoganyMahogany
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and BackMulti-ply top, single-ply back
Body FinishSatin Nitrocellulose LacquerGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeHummingbirdJ-45
Body StylesSquare ShoulderRound Shoulder
BracingTraditional Scalloped X-bracingTraditional hand-scalloped X-bracing
BridgeTraditional Belly Up, RosewoodTraditional belly up
Bridge PinsTUSQTusq
CasePremium Soft ShellHardshell Case
ControlsSoundhole Mounted VolumeVolume and Tone Controls
Fretboard inlayPearloid ParallelogramMother-of-Pearl dots
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in406.4mm / 16.0in
Fret Count2020
Headstock InlayGibson Logo and Crown in Gold Silkscreen—
JointCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue—
ModelMCSSHBSPCHBLAMRS45SLVB
NutTUSQ—
Nut width43.82mm / 1.73in43.82mm / 1.73in
Output Jack1/4" Endpin—
PickguardHummingbird with Simplified Stamped Graphics; Tortoise—
PreampLR Baggs Element Bronze—
ProfileRoundedSlash Custom C-Shape
Saddle MaterialTUSQTusq
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
SideSolid MahoganyMahogany
String gauges.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .0530.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012
Top woodSolid Sitka SpruceSitka Spruce
Truss rodAdjustable—
Truss Rod Cover2-ply BlackSlash Signature
Tuner PlatingNickelNickel
TunersGrover RotomaticGrover Rotomatics
Under Saddle PickupLR Baggs Element BronzeLR Baggs VTC
Accessories—Gibson Accessory Kit

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