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Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry Sunburst vs Gibson J-45 Custom, Ebony

Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry Sunburst
Acoustic$3,999
No ratings yet
78Overall / 100
Gibson J-45 Custom, Ebony
Acoustic$4,999
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)
  • Lower price ($3,999 vs $4,999)
Gibson J-45 Custom, Ebony wins on

No standout advantage.

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricHummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry SunburstJ-45 Custom, Ebony
Overall7874
Build9691
Playability7575
Sound6860
Value6863

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecHummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry SunburstJ-45 Custom, Ebony
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years——
CountryUSUS
Body woodSolid MahoganyMahogany
Neck woodMahoganyMahogany
FretboardRosewoodEbony
Strings66
Frets2020
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsLR Baggs VTCL.R. Baggs Session VTC
Rating——
Price$3,999$4,999
BackSolid MahoganyMahogany
Binding6-ply Top, 4-ply Back, Single Ply FretboardMulti-ply Top, Back, and Headstock, Single-ply Fretboard
Body FinishGlossGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeHummingbird ECJ-45
Body StylesSquare ShoulderRound Shoulder
BridgeBelly-up; RosewoodTraditional Belly Up, Ebony
Bridge PinsIvory PlasticBrass
CaseHardshellHardshell
FinishGold—
Fretboard inlayMother of Pearl Split ParallelogramMother of Pearl Graduated Block
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2020
Headstock InlayGibson Logo and Crown in Mother of PearlGibson Logo and Custom Split Diamond in Mother of Pearl
JointGlued In, Set Neck; Tapered DovetailCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue
ModelMCSSHBECHCSLCSRS4CEB
NutBoneBone
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in43.82mm / 1.73in
Output JackCombination Battery Box and 1/4" Output Jack1/4" Endpin
PickguardTortoiseshell Hummingbird with GraphicsTear Drop
ProfileRounded CSlimTaper
Saddle MaterialTUSQBone
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
SideSolid MahoganyMahogany
Strap Buttons2 - Battery Box/Output Jack and Back of Heel—
String gauges.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
Top woodSolid Sitka SpruceSitka Spruce
Truss rodDual ActionAdjustable
Truss Rod Cover2-ply Black BellCustom
Tuner PlatingGoldGold
TunersGrover RotomaticGrover Rotomatic
Under Saddle PickupLR Baggs VTCL.R. Baggs Session VTC
Bracing—Traditional Hand-Scalloped X Bracing
Controls—Soundhole Mounted Volume and Tone
Preamp—L.R. Baggs Session VTC

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