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Head to head

Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry Sunburst vs Gibson J-185 Original, Left-Handed, Antique Natural

Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry Sunburst
Acoustic$3,999
No ratings yet
78Overall / 100
Gibson J-185 Original, Left-Handed, Antique Natural
Acoustic$3,749
No ratings yet
74Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, 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, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry Sunburst wins on
  • Better build (96 vs 91)
  • Better sound (68 vs 60)
  • Better value (68 vs 63)
Gibson J-185 Original, Left-Handed, Antique Natural wins on
  • Lower price ($3,749 vs $3,999)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricHummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry SunburstJ-185 Original, Left-Handed, Antique Natural
Overall7874
Build9691
Playability7575
Sound6860
Value6863

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecHummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry SunburstJ-185 Original, Left-Handed, Antique Natural
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years
CountryUSUS
Body woodSolid MahoganyFlame Maple
Neck woodMahoganyMahogany
FretboardRosewoodRosewood
Strings66
Frets2020
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsLR Baggs VTCLR Baggs VTC
Rating
Price$3,999$3,749
BackSolid MahoganyFlame Maple
Binding6-ply Top, 4-ply Back, Single Ply FretboardMulti-ply top, multi-ply back
Body FinishGlossGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeHummingbird ECJ-185
Body StylesSquare ShoulderJumbo
BridgeBelly-up; RosewoodTraditional belly up
Bridge PinsIvory PlasticTusq
CaseHardshellHardshell Case
FinishGold
Fretboard inlayMother of Pearl Split ParallelogramMother-of-pearl Parallelograms
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2020
Headstock InlayGibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl
JointGlued In, Set Neck; Tapered DovetailCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body
ModelMCSSHBECHCSLOCJB85ANL
NutBoneBone
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in43.81mm / 1.72in
Output JackCombination Battery Box and 1/4" Output Jack
PickguardTortoiseshell Hummingbird with GraphicsJ-185
ProfileRounded CSlimTaper
Saddle MaterialTUSQBone
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
SideSolid MahoganyFlame maple
Strap Buttons2 - Battery Box/Output Jack and Back of Heel
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 rodDual Action
Truss Rod Cover2-ply Black BellBlack and White
Tuner PlatingGoldNickel
TunersGrover RotomaticGotoh Keystone
Under Saddle PickupLR Baggs VTCLR Baggs VTC
AccessoriesIncludes Gibson Accessory Kit
BracingTraditional hand scalloped X-bracing
ControlsVolume and Tone controls

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