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Head to head

Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry Sunburst vs Taylor T5z Custom Koa

Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry Sunburst
Acoustic$3,999
No ratings yet
78Overall / 100
Taylor T5z Custom Koa
Acoustic$3,799
No ratings yet
60Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, 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, Left-Handed, 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

Estimated scores
MetricHummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry SunburstT5z Custom Koa
Overall7860
Build9661
Playability7567
Sound6860
Value6851

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecHummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry SunburstT5z Custom Koa
BrandGibsonTaylor
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years——
CountryUS—
Body woodSolid MahoganyShamel Ash
Neck woodMahoganySapele
FretboardRosewoodEbony
Strings66
Frets20—
Scale24.75"24.88"
PickupsLR Baggs VTC—
Rating——
Price$3,999$3,799
BackSolid Mahogany—
Binding6-ply Top, 4-ply Back, Single Ply Fretboard—
Body FinishGloss—
Body shapeHummingbird EC—
Body StylesSquare Shoulder—
BridgeBelly-up; RosewoodEbony
Bridge PinsIvory PlasticEbony
CaseHardshell—
FinishGold—
Fretboard inlayMother of Pearl Split ParallelogramFaux Pearl / Silver Spires
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in—
Fret Count20—
Headstock InlayGibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl—
JointGlued In, Set Neck; Tapered Dovetail—
ModelMCSSHBECHCSL—
NutBone—
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in—
Output JackCombination Battery Box and 1/4" Output Jack—
PickguardTortoiseshell Hummingbird with GraphicsNone
ProfileRounded C—
Saddle MaterialTUSQ—
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in24-7/8"
SideSolid Mahogany—
Strap Buttons2 - Battery Box/Output Jack and Back of Heel—
String gauges.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053—
Top woodSolid Sitka SpruceHawaiian Koa
Truss rodDual Action—
Truss Rod Cover2-ply Black Bell—
Tuner PlatingGold—
TunersGrover RotomaticTaylor Gold
Under Saddle PickupLR 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

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