Head to head
Gibson Hummingbird Special, Satin Ebony vs Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson Hummingbird Special, Satin Ebony and Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst are closely matched overall — 78 to 80 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson Hummingbird Special, Satin Ebony wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better value (77 vs 68)
- Lower price ($1,999 vs $2,199)
Scorecard
| Metric | Hummingbird Special, Satin Ebony | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 78 | 80 |
| Build | 96 | 96 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 68 | 77 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Hummingbird Special, Satin Ebony | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Solid Mahogany | Solid Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Utile | Utile |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs Element Bronze | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $2,199 | $1,999 |
| Back | Solid Mahogany | Solid Mahogany |
| Binding | Single-ply Cream, Top and Back | Single-ply Cream, Top and Back |
| Body Finish | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | Hummingbird | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Square Shoulder | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | Traditional Belly Up, Rosewood | Traditional Belly Up; Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | TUSQ | TUSQ |
| Case | Premium Soft Shell | Premium Soft Shell |
| Controls | Soundhole Mounted Volume | Soundhole Mounted Volume |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Parallelogram | Mother-of-Pearl Dot |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo and Crown in Gold Silkscreen | Gibson Logo in Gold Silkscreen |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | MCSSHBSPCEB | MCRS45SPCVS |
| Nut | TUSQ | TUSQ |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin | 1/4" Endpin |
| Pickguard | Hummingbird with Simplified Stamped Graphics; Tortoise | Teardrop; Tortoise |
| Preamp | LR Baggs Element Bronze | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Profile | Rounded | SlimTaper |
| Saddle Material | TUSQ | TUSQ |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Solid Mahogany | Solid Mahogany |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Black | 2-ply Black |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic | Grover Rotomatic |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs Element Bronze | LR Baggs Element Bronze |