Head to head
Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst vs Gibson Nathaniel Rateliff LG-2 Western, Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst 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 Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (68 vs 63)
Gibson Nathaniel Rateliff LG-2 Western, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Lower price ($3,399 vs $3,999)
Scorecard
| Metric | Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst | Nathaniel Rateliff LG-2 Western, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 78 | 74 |
| Build | 96 | 91 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 68 | 63 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst | Nathaniel Rateliff LG-2 Western, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Solid Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Indian Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs VTC |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $3,999 | $3,399 |
| Back | Solid Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Binding | 6-ply Top, 4-ply Back, Single Ply Fretboard | Multi-ply Top, Single-ply Back and Fretboard |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | Hummingbird EC | LG-2 |
| Body Styles | Square Shoulder | Small Body |
| Bridge | Belly-up; Rosewood | Rectangular, Closed Slot |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory Plastic | Black |
| Case | Hardshell | Gibson Hardshell (388DRW) |
| Finish | Gold | Nickel |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Split Parallelogram | Pearloid Parallelogram |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl | Mother of Pearl Gibson Logo and Crown |
| Joint | Glued In, Set Neck; Tapered Dovetail | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | MCSSHBECHCS | AMSBNRVS |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | Combination Battery Box and 1/4" Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin Jack |
| Pickguard | Tortoiseshell Hummingbird with Graphics | Teardrop |
| Profile | Rounded C | V |
| Saddle Material | TUSQ | Bone |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Solid Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - Battery Box/Output Jack and Back of Heel | 2 |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Red spruce |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Black Bell | Black Stamped |
| Tuner Plating | Gold | Nickel |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic | Gotoh Keystone |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs VTC |
| Bracing | — | Traditional Hand Scalloped X-bracing |
| Controls | — | Volume and Tone Controls in Soundhole (bottom) |
| Preamp | — | LR Baggs VTC |
More Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst comparisons
- Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst vs J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
- Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst vs SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst
- Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst vs 1960 Hummingbird Reissue, Heavy Aged, Washed Cherry Sunburst
- Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst vs J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst