Head to head
Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst vs Taylor T5z Custom Koa
The verdict
The Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 78 to 60 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 61)
- Better playability (75 vs 67)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (68 vs 51)
Taylor T5z Custom Koa wins on
- Lower price ($3,799 vs $3,999)
Scorecard
| Metric | Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst | T5z Custom Koa |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 78 | 60 |
| Build | 96 | 61 |
| Playability | 75 | 67 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 68 | 51 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Hummingbird Standard EC, Heritage Cherry Sunburst | T5z Custom Koa |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Taylor |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | — |
| Body wood | Solid Mahogany | Shamel Ash |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Sapele |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | — |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.88" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs VTC | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $3,999 | $3,799 |
| Back | Solid Mahogany | — |
| Binding | 6-ply Top, 4-ply Back, Single Ply Fretboard | — |
| Body Finish | Gloss | — |
| Body shape | Hummingbird EC | — |
| Body Styles | Square Shoulder | — |
| Bridge | Belly-up; Rosewood | Ebony |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory Plastic | Ebony |
| Case | Hardshell | — |
| Finish | Gold | — |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Split Parallelogram | Faux Pearl / Silver Spires |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | — |
| Fret Count | 20 | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl | — |
| Joint | Glued In, Set Neck; Tapered Dovetail | — |
| Model | MCSSHBECHCS | — |
| Nut | Bone | — |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | — |
| Output Jack | Combination Battery Box and 1/4" Output Jack | — |
| Pickguard | Tortoiseshell Hummingbird with Graphics | None |
| Profile | Rounded C | — |
| Saddle Material | TUSQ | — |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 24-7/8" |
| Side | Solid Mahogany | — |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - Battery Box/Output Jack and Back of Heel | — |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | — |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Hawaiian Koa |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Black Bell | — |
| Tuner Plating | Gold | — |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic | Taylor Gold |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs VTC | — |
| Armrest | — | No |
| Back And Sides | — | Shamel Ash |
| Back Configuration | — | 2-piece No Wedge |
| Back Side Finish | — | Gloss |
| Body Binding | — | White |
| Fretboard Binding | — | Black |
| Neck Finish | — | Gloss |
| Nut Saddle | — | Bone |
| Orientation | — | Right Handed |
| Peghead Binding | — | None |
| Peghead Finish | — | Gloss |
| Peghead Inlay | — | None |
| Peghead Type | — | Standard T5z |
| Top Finish | — | Gloss |
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