About the dimension question (for either the scale length, the nut width or the pickguard shaping), my hypothesis is that the Gibson uses imperial measurements, and the Epiphone uses the metric system. So when Epiphone takes the measurements on the Gibson to build “their” guitars, they round the numbers to the most practical measurements in metric :)
I prefer the look of the Epiphone, and there’s not enough difference in the sound to justify a $3,000 price difference. If I didn’t already own a Martin I would seriously consider the Epiphone
The extra price is more than the name. It is quality of materials, workmanship, and labor cost. This really matters in the future when it comes time to resell. Gibson guitars hold their value. The Epiphone drops in value rather quick and the majority of them don’t ever really appreciate. That doesn’t mean the Epiphone isn’t a great guitar, they definitely have their place. I own both and I like both Gibson and Epiphone. The best thing about having an Epiphone similar to the Gibson is the fact that it is compatible and affordable. Some can’t afford to pay $3000 plus for a guitar. There was a time when I couldn’t. Now I am much older and more responsible I can. The more affordable Epiphone was a great way for me to realize that some day I would want to get the real thing. It is great that Gibson and other manufacturers are providing affordable options for people to experience the style of instrument they may never be able to afford
@@keithrevst692 the gibbo will be worth 1000 less immediately, the epi 200 less - anyone who buys gibson product is a name - fool , they are not worth the money
I really want a Gibson, but out of all of the stuff I've heard the last 3 to 4 years about them and their quality control I've avoided them like the plague. They sound amazing but when you put down 3 to 5 grand on a guitar and it internally fails after 2 years or the fit and finish has problems. Nah I'm good. Might as well go get a lightly used Waterloo for that from Collings.
we're in the golden age of cheap guitars, I've got a yairi upstairs that cost £1000 23 yrs ago, never play it, preferring a sigma I bought for £150 used
11:2512:08 Honestly, they both sound very good. Just a bit of difference in the tone collor. Like they have a peak in low mids at a different place but they both have plenty of bass and trebles.. Both are loud also.
I got the epiphone hummingbird a couple of weeks ago and I love it.the action was a little high for me but after a good setup for £50 it’s absolutely lovely to play now
I bought a Epiphone pro hummingbird last Christmas. I wanted to have my strings a little lower in the down the neck they are find at the nut and stopped at guitar store the guy said he charge 50 to set it up.
I had to cash in a Gibson Hummingbird to finance a new roof and pay some back taxes. I've never been so unhappy letting a guitar go. The Epiphone may be a fix for my blue funk over losing the Gibson - thank you for a great comparison
My Epi Hummingbird arrived this weekend and I'm thrilled. It sounds, looks and feels beautiful to me. I'm an intermediary player with a family to raise. I can't afford a $4k guitar and even if I could, I would not be able to make it sound worth the price.
Congratulations!! I love my 2012 Epiphone Humingbird pro. Its almost 10yrs old, and it definitely sounding better with age. The overtones and harmonics are really prominent after almost a decade. Did you get the sunburst?
@@mrredritehand Good to know that these instruments can last over time. It's such a good feeling when you find the guitar that fits. Happy playing Mark.
I've owned a few Gibsons in the last several years. This Epiphone IBG Hummingbird is beyond amazing. it is my favorite acoustic, hands down. I agree with you Cynthia.
I've had my Epiphone Hummingbird Pro since last July (it feels like yesterday) and for a while It was OK but it didn't feel quite right so a week ago I took it down to Guitar Jungle at Redfern to have it set up. It feels like another guitar. Leo leveled the frets, adjusted the truss rod, shaved the bridge and nut and lowered the action there's not any buzzing hell she feels like a Les Paul and it rings like a bell. When I play it I can feel it resonate against my chest. I've never owned such a beautiful acoustic
I've just got my Pro a week ago, which I bought second hand. I think it's a good guitar but I have an Art and Luthrie which sound better in my opinion. It is a bit more expensive though. Given that you've had you Pro set up I'll probably go ahead and see what difference it makes to mine. Thanks 😊
I bought the Epiphone Hummingbird in large part due to your video showing off its power and glory next to a Gibson version. I don't ,miss my Gibson version and am very happy to have saved around $4300 on the price difference. Icing on the cake is I much prefer the Epiphone look. Thank you
If 3k doesn't matter to you (which is often the case for gibson buyers), that's not a big deal. But as an outright guitar pig, I'd be inclined to find one used so that it's just money in suspense. The epis look like cort's "gold" level acoustics, which may be made in the same plant. I had one - they were unbelievably low cost pre-covid if you waited for a dealer dumping them (I got one with a case and pau ferro sides, bound neck, etc, torrefied top for < $500. It had serious action issues within a year, though - its great sound and surprising strength came from taking too much risk with lighter bracing or a skimpy bracing pattern.
I own this Epiphone in cherry burst. It is visually striking, just beautiful. It is a bit on the heavy side, built to take it. Set up out of the box was perfect. Sounds very good. I've never played the Gibson version so I can't compare them. I do have a Gibson G 45 and it is lighter weight, very light and responsive. An entirely different feel.
Using headphones, can definitely tell the difference, probably just comes down to personal preference, but though the Epiphone sounds fantastic, the Gibson has a nicer tone on the high end for sure, less bright and twangy, much more rounded trebles which I like. Both fantastic.
Yeah the Gibson isn’t as trebly it’s more warm and softened than the epiphone. Definitely comes down to taste, would you rather have a warmer sounding humming bird or a brighter sounding humming bird
I would be inclined to agree with you and consider getting one for myself, only I'm afraid it would become just another Epiphone in my revolving door of guitars.
If you play them in person you will likely see, feel and hear the difference. That being said I've had a couple of the epiphone inspired by guitars and they are pretty good!
To me Gibby has its own character in articulation especially in the mid range. Eppy on the other hand sounds very standard with more bass and weaker mid hence less articulation. Nevertheless i prefer the warmer tone of Eppy though : )
Years ago I played both the master builds and the gibson. Recently I played the new epiphone. Wonderful! Seriously competing to be the best sub-$1000 guitars in the business. That being said, I bought a 1999 gibson hummingbird early 60s ($2000, which I'm still proud to admit) and there's a major difference between the two. In person the sound is impressively better. The feel is like a welcome home from your parents, when you haven't seen them in years. It feels like it's your oldest and dearest friend. In person, my hummingbird makes people go crazy. They adore it. It's the darker, more brown sunburst and not the cherry burst. It's stunning in both looks and feel. I would not have paid the $4995. $2000 on the other hand, is well worth it. absolutely at least a $1500 difference and worth it. Not to mention, I can sell it today for about $2650-3000. It'll be worth 3500 in another 5 or so years. At the end of our time together it will be worth the original price. Well worth buying the gibson, but the epiphone is the working man's gold! It's a great instrument, for sure.
I’d have to agree. The real ‘birds are just something else in person. If you can find a used one in awesome shape it’s definitely worth it (I just recently found one with only a $1000ish difference…going for it most likely)
My #1 guitar is a Gibson and I love it. That being said, in this comparison, the Epiphone is different, but equal in sound quality to my ears. I would like to play one and find out how it plays.
Purchased the Epiphone Hummingbird Pro last year. My 2nd guitar ever. I love it, and at under $400 I couldnt pass it up. Only issue I've noticed is at times I'll get a tinny buzz on the G string, but a little tweaking of the tuning peg usually remedies it. Beautiful look and sound. Would recommend.
I have a $1600 Martin, American made and some of these Epiphones are just as good if not better. I was fortunate enough to get to play on a couple and it was mind blowing how great they were. So appreciative of the guys at Alamo music for doing this review
Chris, are you sure the Epiphone is “machine built”? I’m betting with Indonesian labor costs being a fraction of Gibson Bozeman’s, The Epi has a lot of hand construction also. The difference in tone between the two is minimal. What it really comes down to is are you willing to pay $3800 to see the Gibson name on the headstock vs. $799 for the “inspired” version? The market will decide!
I just got this Epiphone today. It's amazing. I've gone through so many guitars. Even a gibson j200. I have the Gibson original 1950s j50. I prefer the epi hummingbird. The neck is too thick on the Gibson . The only thing that's weird to me on the hummingbird is it's so heavy for an acoustic.
Folks, this is my third time listening to it and I have come to the conclusion that the Epiphone Hummingbird is in no way inferior to the Gibson Hummingbird.
@@freddysnip6257 I agree. Actually, when it comes to budget, I'm a huge fan of the Godin owned brands like Seagull, Simon & Patrick and Art & Lurherie... I believe they have other + they make like sub 500 and even sub 400$ guitars that are actually better than some more expensive ones. I'm particularly fondnof the simon Patrick D cedar top. I can get a 2006 and 1999 model for 250$ with a super cool case with green and silver inside.
Both sound wonderful. if you get passed your biases and the cosmetic differences... there isn’t much of a sound difference. The Gibson resonates better but man what a steal for a fraction of the cost. I think you guys should do a blind test!
For me it comes down to branding, both sound nice and sweet to me. I bet if you switched the branding people would give the Gibson the edge even though it would be the epi. We all get sucked in to branding when in reality other brands can be two thirds cheaper and sound as good if not better. I often see top end guitars for sale when only owned for a short time when the owner has buyers remorse.
It’s not just the branding for me, it’s the handmade, domestic manufacturing compared to mass-produced, overseas manufacturing. That being said, I really like the epiphone
I've been playing for 30 years. Even with headphones I can only detect the slightest difference between these two guitars sonically. Visually, I think the Epiphone looks better. Sonically it's a tie.
Nice comparison. Both high quality guitars. There are many of us, for one reason or another, would not consider the Gibson. However, there are a few levels of Epiphone Hummingbird that could be compared. eg. The inspired by Gibson and the Hummingbird Pro. They MSRP about $400 difference and it would be nice to see if the IBG is worth the extra $.
I have an “inspired by” and I have compared it to actual Gibson models and it is within 1% as good as the Gibson and in reality it comes down to which Gibson you are comparing it to and down to individual guitars. I recently played a “snakebite” hummingbird that I would not have if you gave it to me, unless I could resell it to someone else. So, your mileage may vary but I have been playing for a long time and I see no reason to drop 3k - 5k for a Gibson, the inspired by is that good. The J-45 is also great, pretty hard to compare to Gibson J-45 because there are only 11 models of the J-45/50 this year alone and every single one of them sounds different. The biggest upside to these is I can play them out and not freak out that they will be stolen. I am hoping that we see a Dove sometime soon. I don’t think Gibson is too worried about hitting themselves with these instruments, because let’s face it, working players are not dropping 3-5k, doctors and lawyers are the ones buying the real thing, for the most part. Gibson is planning on damaging Martin, Taylor, MIJ Taks and Eastman. I have no problem saying that this is my favorite guitar under 2K, regardless of maker. At the end of the day, I actually prefer the sound of the Epiphone to the Gibson, when playing both in person.
I really like what Epiphone is doing with the inspired by Gibson models. I have a firebird that I enjoy quite a bit. I would consider one of these hummingbirds as an everyday player to give my 65 bird some rest. But… I have been listening to this in the background while doing stuff around the house. There were 2 transitions that caused me to look up and say “Oooh which one is that?” Gibson both times.
This was a great comparison. I've been playing my Martin D-15 Custom for 20 years, it's been ridden hard and still sounds great. That said, I've been having a lot of fun with open D tuning lately and have been thinking about keeping that on my Martin, which means I'd need another acoustic for standard tuning. I love the Gibson Hummingbird, but I'm also not a gear snob, so this Epiphone may be just the ticket.
I love mine sounds and looks great. The only cons I would says about this guitar is that if you are playing out gigs like me it would get you tired fast because of the size of it, is not the most confortable guitar to play standing for a long time.
I really think these two guitars sound really close to each other. It will be interesting to hear the Epiphone after it is played in after a few years, and the Gibson as well. My opinion is that the Gibson is an investment piece, a tool for professionals. The Epiphone most likely won’t increase in value or hold value, but it can and will be a great players instrument. Your budget needs to determine which you choose. Both are really good guitars. While some will say the Epiphone doesn’t sound $3000 better, they have to understand it is way more than tone. The Gibson name on the headstock stands for USA hand built quality. If taken care of the Gibson will increase in value. Where the Epiphone is a great instrument, it isn’t an investment piece. There is definitely a difference, but it is up to each individual to decide if the cost is worth it. For me it is, I also love Epiphone I have 3 Epiphone acoustics and I love them. I also have Gibson acoustics and without a doubt they are the better of the two.
Ya'll are kill'in me... I am new as a player, learning and loving the time I get behind my guitar. I assumed from the beginning that I wanted only two guitars - a "beater" or at least something I could take outdoors, camping, etc and purchased an FG830 for that. I am about to the pull the trigger on a Yamaha FGX5 (based on your review of course) and now I watch this video and question if I should just get the Epiphone Hummingbird. Ok, So I am a newbee here to Guitars, so be nice or at least honest without KILLING ME with comments on what path.. And NO, no 3rd guitar!!
And as a newbie this will be a guitar you can keep forever, and you don’t really need to upgrade ever if you don’t want (except to the Gibson, of course XD)
I own a Gibson Hummingbird, and I bought it because of the clarity of each string and depth of the tone. I also own some Epiphones and less expensive types. The Epiphone is a fine guitar, but it does not quite have the sonic qualities of the Gibson. Whether the price difference is "worth it" is an individual call.
I felt the exact same way, the Gibson sounds better 110% but the $3000 difference is an individual call. But to me the Gibson just resonates and each string sounds so full.
I bet if you did a blind comparision, then a reveal, most couldn't tell the difference. To me, they were very close in tonal quality. And not a $3k difference by any means. Epiphone is doin something right. Finally making an affordable, quality instrument to attract more people who want to play a good guitar without breaking the bank.
Honestly, in the end its all about skill. Give Eric Clapton or Hendrix a cheap guitar and they will still sound like legends. This guitar elitism is getting really annoying. A 4000$ guitar won't make you into a better player and sometimes, a cheaper guitar can sound better because there's lots of factors going into it.
The Gibson sounded just a little better to me. I like both really well, but I would personally choose the Gibson, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at the Epi... I have several Epis and they are damn good players and they look FANTASTIC !
The Gibson is much louder and has more depth in its sound. But, the Epiphone sounds so sweet. I like its sound. I like the beveled pick guard and how brown it is. I would totally buy the Epiphone! But, I would probably wait until next year because I just bought an Epiphone inspired J-45! 😁. Who knows, maybe I’ll make it my birthday guitar later this year! 🍰🎸
Both are great acoustic guitars but for people with ears tuned to the sound of high end Classic Guitars I think the Gibson Humming bird would be preferred. For the price difference and availability the Epiphone is a great choice.
Both sounded great. I played both side by side at my music store and there's no doubt the Gibson is the superior guitar. The sound, the balance, and the feel. I'm not at all saying the Epi was bad. I think they are both worth their price tag.
I love Epiphone's "Inspired by Gibson" series and their Masterbilt series of guitars. We have the J-200 and the Texan. Yes they are different sounding from Gibson, but they are absolutely outstanding guitars. We also have a Gibson J-45, a 1965 Epiphone Texan and a Martin HD-28V, so I can see the build quality differences. But for 1/3 to 1/5 the cost of an American made guitar, you can't go wrong with the higher end , non American made, Epiphones from these 2 series of guitars.
I have the cherry sunburst Epiphone 6 and 12 string Hummingbirds,.... both were demo'd side by side with a Gibson (I had the cash ready for the Gibson's) I walked away with a ton of money in my pocket and 2 superior sounding guitars!! I also have several other Epiphone guitars,... an older Korina Explorer, Viola (Beatle) Bass, 2 J-200 acoustics I think are the best ever (and I also have matching Taylor 6 & 12 strings) and those are also way better for recording than the Gibson's.... just say'n.... Next I'm looking at some older Guild models.
Wow! Hands down, the Epi killed the Gibson. Louder, better projection. I guess for recording if you want a more mellow sound, go with the Gibson, but for live and campfire, that Epi really projects. Wow! Really, Wow! Thank you!
Note: The new Gibson Hummingbird Original pickguard design is "stamped" and will fade regardless if you use a pick or play fingerstyle. Years ago the design was embedded into the pickguard.
it is the things that you come to learn about guitars lower action on the Gibson, you can hear a gradual fret buzz based on clearance of the string to fret. But if I was starting out I would buy a Epiphone and the difference can be adjust based on your playing style and the strike of the string, I would try one!
What I find very odd, no one comments on the playability difference between the two. There is a big difference and I can only say that by experiencing that hands on. The Gibson has such a easy feel over the Epiphone.
I was able to play the Epiphone hummingbird recently. I liked it. I feel the Gibson hummingbird sounds better in the video, yet each time I’ve played one in a store I didn’t really like it. Maybe it’s the feel when I play it? IDK
I purchased an Epiphone Hummingbird PRO a month ago and she's beautiful and I can't see a $3,000 difference when I compare it to the Gibson. It has a beautiful tone but I'm not mad about that faded Heritage Cherry Sunburst which is supposed to gradually go from golden yellow at the very center and cherry red towards the edges, but on the top bout the painter screwed up he went from cherry-red to golden yellow with no fade there's a definite line where red stops and yellow begins. Also, mine has Grover machines not the Keystone but I prefer the Grovers. These are minor issues, all in all, I love it, I've been playing for 50 years and have owned many acoustics this one is the best so far.
I currently have a Pro as well that I just bought but didn't realize it had an even smaller nut than the Inspired by Gibson version (42mm vs 43mm). I wish there were more comparison videos between the Pro/Studio and the IBG version. I ended up buying an IBG version and will compare the two for myself.
I got the Epi Bird Pro, I wouldn't part with it, never wanna be without it. The midrange twang really suits my style. Pickup works great. Everyone loves the way it looks and compliments that. Tremendous value for the price in my opinion. All that being said... the nut is just a bit skinny for me. It feels a little more like work to play than my Fender or Yamaha. No doubt the Hummingbird sounds better, but when I just wanna have some easy playing fun, I usually find myself grabbing the Yamaha.
Great review and playing! I have one of these Inspired by Gibson Epi Hummingbirds, a Gibson J45, Taylor 314ce, Martin HD-28 and Martin 000-28EC and I pay my Epi more than any of the others. It is a fantastic guitar and will hang with (or exceed) any of my other acoustics. I also love the vintage look and feel of the finish on the Epi.
I'm assuming that straight out the box the Gibson would have better strings? Would it be a fair match to put the same string's on both guitar's? I think this would once and for all show any sound difference between the two. Really enjoyed your video. Thanks.
With these two instruments being as similar in spec, materials, setup, ect the tonal difference is really just a slight variation which comes down to preference and could possibly be tweaked with different strings, Bridge material, setup. In a loud bar, on a stage or in a circle of other instruments the slight tonal differences won't be apparent and would largely depend on playing style or amplification techniques. In a studio setting it may be worth the extra 3 grand to get that tone on tape but I just can't see very many practical applications where whatever tonal difference exists would be "better" or "worse". That said, I get that some want an American made classic model instrument from a reputable company...but would you wanna throw it in the back of a van, drag it around in and out of bars and hot festivals, expose it to drastic changes in temp and humidity, play it around campfires and play it hard every night doing shows? Or would the epi be better suited and perform the job just as well without having to worry about devaluation of your investment? For many, if the instrument is something you can work with in more settings and applications, it's worth more than the one that may have subjectively better overtones but which costs as much as a used car and which you have to constantly worry about.
I bought one just on a whim cuz I liked the feel of the neck, very comfortable for me. Playing & tone wise it feels tight or stiff…I’m sure in time it will loosen up as the wood matures. Tuners look good but not not so hot & could be replaced easily. Pickup is really crummy…I took it out & had to make a new saddle & replaced it with Fishman RareEarth humbucking sound hole pickup & wow what a difference plugged in, major! For what it cost I believe it’s one of the best guitars out there & will only get better with time. I play them hard, it’s not a financial investment & don’t care about their worth 25 years from now. That all said if I come across a Gibson at a greatly reduced price I’d …na probably not. Cheers
The Gibson is more distinct and has more punch when compared side by side. The Epiphone sounds beautiful as well. Is the difference in tone worth the extra 3k? That comes down to personal preference. If the Epiphone was recorded in studio and I heard it on a record, I wouldn’t be able to tell you if it was an Epiphone or Gibson on the recording.
I can certainly tell a difference in the tone/color. The Epiphone sounds more "plastic" than the warmer tone of the Gibson. but it ain't no 3 grand difference... lol. Did the action and playability of the hummingbird seem easier? :D
Gibson told me the difference in scale length has to do with foreign built being metric vs imperial measurement in the US. As for 1.69" nut width on the Epiphone, take a closer look. That model as with the entire "Inspired by" are based on 1950s and 60s era Gibsons not the current production models. The Hummingbird like the J-45 and J-200 all had a 1.69" nut width early to mid 1960s... 1.725" nut width (and measure it, in spite of Gibson claiming on 1.72" on their site it still is 1.725" just as it has been since Ren Furguson resigned the lineup when Gibson opened the Montana plant). I think nut width impacts string spacing which indirectly plays a part in how someone plays .
Great review! Aside from that the look on Chris’s face when Cooper says colonoscopy shows who probably has already had one! Love you guys always on point and informative unlike a review I watched of the EPI where 3 1/2 mins in of a 5 min video the reviewer was still talking about the tape that was used to seal box guitar in hard shell case came in. Keep up the good work.
I have been noticing that the color of the top of many guitars are kind of two-tone. They don't match, colorwise. I also noticed this on the Epi 12 string you demoed. Thanks for a fantastic comparison! I love your videos.
I know a Guy who bought a Gibson hummingbird, and is sorry, he bought a 400.00 Alvarez dreadnought that sounds a whole lot better, thumbs up subbed Great video God Bless ya's Abundantly
Hi from Perth, Australia. I am in the process of buying an acoustic for recording projects. For me it was either a a Martin D28 or a Gibson Hummingbird. For my style of finger licking, I prefer the clarity of the Gibson Hummingbird. I wanted the harmonic resonance and tone full nuanced sound. Down under this will cost me AU$6700 in fact I’m getting exactly the one you have there. I’m going to get a Martin LX1 small guitar for that mid cut through sound.
I have an older Hummingbird....well aged sounds amazing. But the Epi for the price between those 2 is the one I'd buy. I can't hear a lot of difference for the price. The Hummingbird I own cost me $1200 a lot of money in the day but $3800 TO $4000 I just would not pay that much. The Gibson of course has value when resold but if your like me I've sold 2 maybe 3 in 56 years of playing that doesn't come into play.
I now have one of these Epi's in my bullseye. There are two main reasons. The first I heard that "Gibson tone" on the heavy E string. I've owned a few Gibsons over the years including a 1942 Gibson that was my mom's which I'll never part with. The second reason is the "Inspired By" is made by Samick, which is known for their superior quality. I just bought a JZ-2 Samick LaSalle which is a Gibson L-5 knockoff jazz box. Holy crap, it is very close to an L-5 in tone and very high quality all the away around. I've owned an L-5, along with a Steve Howe ES-175 and recently a Gibson Johnny Smith jazz box. I'm all about tone. Now I have to wait until Guitar Center gets one in stock. I always buy only what I get to test drive first. p.s. I actually liked the tone of the Epiphone in this demonstration. Gary Flagg Buffalo, N.Y.
@@Vales55 That's just how it works, 100$ to 500$ you're gonna get maybe a 80% improvement. But go from 800$ to 2K, maybe you only get like 30% sound improvement, more or less.
@@jmimbles8939 coming through my cheap laptop speakers it would be impossible since there is a quality loss for all sounds. It wouldn't be easy live but it would at least be possible.
I have felt in a minority of one regarding 'Epiphone Inspired by Gibson' guitars so today I went looking for a not so "WOW! These are ace at a fraction of the price" reviews. I was looking for a built-in double output electro acoustic to avoid having to get round not having a built-in double output electro acoustic guitar. An electro acoustic guitar of my choice is not a Gibson....but the EJ200SCE seemed like a good bet for what I was looking for based on the reviews on RUclips so I bought one along with the appropriate Epiphone hard case. As for value for money it's not a bad guitar. Indeed I'd go further and say it offers good value for money....depending on what you are looking for. Mine has never left my home and remains on a wall bracket since the day it was delivered. As for a comparison to the Gibson that everybody tells me it is intended to emulate....it doesn't. The reviews I have so far seen about 'Epiphone Inspired by Gibson' have to have been compiled with a heavy bias. If you want a Gibson Les Paul, an SG, a Hummingbird, a J45 etc....I don't see a copy scratching your itch....It didn't scratch mine!
My hearing tells me I like the Epiphone better. More low end. The treble sounded about the same on both, the Gibson was alot more mellow on the low end too.
It'll be interesting to see how these hold up as they look to me like a cort acoustic that I had. That (D8) was really nicely made, really big sounding, and I think it had pau ferro back and sides (solid) and a good quality torrefied top. I was confused how it could sound as big as it did new and not have stability issues....which.. ....turned out to be the case. The action was very high and it had a belly within a year. The D8s went as low as $475 new from dealers in the US who couldn't unload them (this is pre-covid) so it wasn't really worth addressing - I just sold it with high action for a loss of a couple of hundred bucks.
Anyone thinking "just drop the saddle" on the guitar I mentioned above. In one year of movement, the belly and action issues were already right around the saddle limit, which isn't that desirable (dropping the break angle that much and bottoming the saddle). Was a great guitar for a little under $500 but with just a little bit of a concession to boom leaving the braces a little more robust, it would've been a lot better and I'd still have it.
1, credit where credit is due. That was some beautiful playing mate. And 2, I prefer the epiphone for its deeper tone and darker shade. The Gibsons clarity does show abit more imo. But I couldn’t justify buying the Gibson over the epiphone based on how much I love the epiphone over all. But this is coming from a player who has 2 second hand mid range arias and they still haven’t been beaten for tone for me yet. They have Martin Co Eric Clapton mediums on so that could also be helping
Wish you would have put the same strings on both to give the true differences in tones between the two.. l just left a local guitar store and spent over an hour on a burst hummingbird...new inspired.. it is incredible! I am gonna pull the trigger on it! It's just amazing sounding.. but l can't help but wonder if both had a fresh set of Elixers on them, how much difference would there be then?¿? I can't honestly see or hear a justification for all the extra $$$, it's not that much different..
Myself as well James. I've had mine for about 4 months or so now. I still can't believe how easy it frets and how powerful and clear it is. It is my favorite square shoulder dread. The IBG Humingbird is all that and a bag of chips. I've owned 3 Gibsons in the last 4 years and love them. I love this one too and actually prefer it.
@@randysrhythm it is really mind blowing..how well the IBG line are made and sound, l bought a Epiphone Excellente which is REALLY an AMAZING guitar.. between my Taylor GA8e, the IBG Hummer and the Excellente l have all bases covered tonewise for the music l play..l really do not see me buying another acoustic unless something catastrophic happens to one of them.. l will say the J200 being all maple is far too bright of a tone for me but lm sure if that's your thing then anyone would love the J200 IBG Epi.. the other model l think it's a J45 just really didn't impress me, however it is the best looking of the bunch..l wish it was built with hummingbird tone but it really didn't sound like anything special. So..of the IBG series l am happy to only have the Hummingbird but check out an Excellente!!OMG..YOU WILL BE HAPPY YOU DID!!😁
@@jameshill2015 We may be related? I also bought the Excellente, a couple of months ago. Agreed, just killer in every detail. I also thought the 200 was a little thin sounding, which isn’t my taste. Many like it, but it is the only one of the three that seems to be all over the map from a review standpoint. I still want to try the 45. Your take on it has me wondering if I’ll like it. You know the drill, every guitar build has a bit of a different sound, unless they are Maple (ha). I do have a friend in PA that owns one and he loves it. I’m always in search of depth/richness in tone, so probably won’t get the 200. I actually reviewed the Excellente and Hummingbird. Powerful guitars, sir.
@@randysrhythm too funny! I only know one person other than myself that even knows what an Excellente is! Petty as it may be.. l do not like the pick gaurds on EITHER.. I removed the big oversized, gummy, heavy, TONE KILLING gaurd that looks like they were drawn by a talentless 2nd grader! What a different! I did order from Bruce Wei an inlayed pickgaurd and a plain gaurd..both rose wood, in case l do not like the inlayed on the guitar..it looks amazing in pics but they are 2 weeks out from me having them. If l even put a gaurd on either guitar l will use 3/4" 3M adhesive dots so the gaurd is actually floating to keep the tone, wood gaurds certainly do not kill the sound the way the factory gaurds do. Look him up. I had him add pine needles to the Epi's dead branches and the detail of the Eagle is mind blowing! Text me at 617 513-4410 and l will send you a picture of both Excellente gaurds. You likely feel like l do..😂
I already have 4 Epiphone Masterbilts. They are all made in Indonesia in 2013-2017. I’m debating whether I should get this Hummingbird. Like my 4 Masterbilts, craftsmanship should be exceptional. I like the headstock. I’m just a little concerned about the use of Indian Laurel on the fretboard as I prefer Ebony or Rosewood. Anyway, I went ahead and watched this in my family room set-up using a pair of full-range Canadian-import reference tower speakers. To my ‘untrained ears’, I was not able to hear any difference. The Epiphone sounded just as good as the Gibson - warm and balanced. Thank you for this comparison video. 👍🏼👍🏼
I have the masterbilt dr500 and it’s amazing! Great lows and highs but never to boomy or sharp just soo well balanced. Just got the hummingbird ibg, it has a lot more less bass than the dr500 but it’s super fun to play and it inspires you to write more songs. And my gibson humming bird has more low end but less than the masterbilt dr500.
About the dimension question (for either the scale length, the nut width or the pickguard shaping), my hypothesis is that the Gibson uses imperial measurements, and the Epiphone uses the metric system. So when Epiphone takes the measurements on the Gibson to build “their” guitars, they round the numbers to the most practical measurements in metric :)
I prefer the look of the Epiphone, and there’s not enough difference in the sound to justify a $3,000 price difference. If I didn’t already own a Martin I would seriously consider the Epiphone
The extra price is more than the name. It is quality of materials, workmanship, and labor cost. This really matters in the future when it comes time to resell. Gibson guitars hold their value. The Epiphone drops in value rather quick and the majority of them don’t ever really appreciate. That doesn’t mean the Epiphone isn’t a great guitar, they definitely have their place. I own both and I like both Gibson and Epiphone. The best thing about having an Epiphone similar to the Gibson is the fact that it is compatible and affordable. Some can’t afford to pay $3000 plus for a guitar. There was a time when I couldn’t. Now I am much older and more responsible I can. The more affordable Epiphone was a great way for me to realize that some day I would want to get the real thing. It is great that Gibson and other manufacturers are providing affordable options for people to experience the style of instrument they may never be able to afford
@@keithrevst692 the gibbo will be worth 1000 less immediately, the epi 200 less - anyone who buys gibson product is a name - fool , they are not worth the money
I really want a Gibson, but out of all of the stuff I've heard the last 3 to 4 years about them and their quality control I've avoided them like the plague. They sound amazing but when you put down 3 to 5 grand on a guitar and it internally fails after 2 years or the fit and finish has problems. Nah I'm good. Might as well go get a lightly used Waterloo for that from Collings.
we're in the golden age of cheap guitars, I've got a yairi upstairs that cost £1000 23 yrs ago, never play it, preferring a sigma I bought for £150 used
@@frankcarter6427 i have a sigma dr7s from layes 70s early 80s. It can stand up with my martin d18
11:25 12:08 Honestly, they both sound very good. Just a bit of difference in the tone collor. Like they have a peak in low mids at a different place but they both have plenty of bass and trebles.. Both are loud also.
I got the epiphone hummingbird a couple of weeks ago and I love it.the action was a little high for me but after a good setup for £50 it’s absolutely lovely to play now
I bought a Epiphone pro hummingbird last Christmas. I wanted to have my strings a little lower in the down the neck they are find at the nut and stopped at guitar store the guy said he charge 50 to set it up.
I had to cash in a Gibson Hummingbird to finance a new roof and pay some back taxes. I've never been so unhappy letting a guitar go. The Epiphone may be a fix for my blue funk over losing the Gibson - thank you for a great comparison
Did you really got the Epiphone? What’s your opinion on the guitar if you did?
My Epi Hummingbird arrived this weekend and I'm thrilled. It sounds, looks and feels beautiful to me. I'm an intermediary player with a family to raise. I can't afford a $4k guitar and even if I could, I would not be able to make it sound worth the price.
Congratulations!!
I love my 2012 Epiphone Humingbird pro. Its almost 10yrs old, and it definitely sounding better with age. The overtones and harmonics are really prominent after almost a decade. Did you get the sunburst?
@@mrredritehand Good to know that these instruments can last over time. It's such a good feeling when you find the guitar that fits. Happy playing Mark.
@@BohoHippie-r9yThanks, you too 🙏
I've owned a few Gibsons in the last several years. This Epiphone IBG Hummingbird is beyond amazing. it is my favorite acoustic, hands down. I agree with you Cynthia.
*~ Time Stamps ~*
11:07 - Epiphone - Strumming & Picking
11:52 - Gibson - Strumming & Picking
12:35 - Epiphone - Fingerstyle - Folk/Country
13:50 - Gibson - Fingerstyle - Folk/Country
15:05 - Epiphone - Fingerstyle - Blues
15:47 - Gibson - Fingerstyle - Blues
Thank you ma man... or woah-man 😛👍
Sound wise in my opinion they almost identical
For me, the Gibson all day, but if someone likes the Epi, I think they’re getting a fantastic instrument. Great vid guys.
They both sound Awesome! I wouldn't be able to make a choice between the two except for the price. Epiphone WINS!!
I've had my Epiphone Hummingbird Pro since last July (it feels like yesterday) and for a while It was OK but it didn't feel quite right so a week ago I took it down to Guitar Jungle at Redfern to have it set up. It feels like another guitar. Leo leveled the frets, adjusted the truss rod, shaved the bridge and nut and lowered the action there's not any buzzing hell she feels like a Les Paul and it rings like a bell. When I play it I can feel it resonate against my chest. I've never owned such a beautiful acoustic
I've just got my Pro a week ago, which I bought second hand. I think it's a good guitar but I have an Art and Luthrie which sound better in my opinion. It is a bit more expensive though. Given that you've had you Pro set up I'll probably go ahead and see what difference it makes to mine. Thanks 😊
That HB Pro has a fantastic neck & fretboard. Well worth the attention you gave it.
I bought the Epiphone Hummingbird in large part due to your video showing off its power and glory next to a Gibson version. I don't ,miss my Gibson version and am very happy to have saved around $4300 on the price difference. Icing on the cake is I much prefer the Epiphone look. Thank you
Thanks Cooper and Chris for the comparison. The Gibson sounds a bit fuller but not $3k better. Thanks.
If 3k doesn't matter to you (which is often the case for gibson buyers), that's not a big deal. But as an outright guitar pig, I'd be inclined to find one used so that it's just money in suspense. The epis look like cort's "gold" level acoustics, which may be made in the same plant. I had one - they were unbelievably low cost pre-covid if you waited for a dealer dumping them (I got one with a case and pau ferro sides, bound neck, etc, torrefied top for < $500. It had serious action issues within a year, though - its great sound and surprising strength came from taking too much risk with lighter bracing or a skimpy bracing pattern.
I thought the opposite! I thought the Epi sounded fuller. Even if I was rich, I'd still buy the Epi!
I own this Epiphone in cherry burst. It is visually striking, just beautiful. It is a bit on the heavy side, built to take it. Set up out of the box was perfect. Sounds very good. I've never played the Gibson version so I can't compare them. I do have a Gibson G 45 and it is lighter weight, very light and responsive. An entirely different feel.
Do you mean the J 45?
I have a G 45
How do you like that g 45? Seems interesting
With walnut back and sides and sitka top, and a stout neck, the g 45 is a very nice guitar.
Using headphones, can definitely tell the difference, probably just comes down to personal preference, but though the Epiphone sounds fantastic, the Gibson has a nicer tone on the high end for sure, less bright and twangy, much more rounded trebles which I like. Both fantastic.
You are right. They both sounded fantastic. It is just a matter of personal preference.
Yeah the Gibson isn’t as trebly it’s more warm and softened than the epiphone. Definitely comes down to taste, would you rather have a warmer sounding humming bird or a brighter sounding humming bird
I preferred the Gibson but i dont like the price tag haha but it does sound way much better
I like both and have a Gibson J-160 e and Epiphone J-160 e love ❤️ both of them/ it’s also value in in the long run that counts -
Do you think changing pins will make a difference on the Epiphone?
I’ve been playing for 25 years and I play by the ear and it almost sounds to me that the epi sounds a little bit better than the gibby does, no lie!
20 years playing here, totally agree, epi sounds better to my ears
I would be inclined to agree with you and consider getting one for myself, only I'm afraid it would become just another Epiphone in my revolving door of guitars.
@@ericbgordon1575 I can assure you it wouldn’t, if you get one you will realize very quickly just how amazing they are.
I definitely appreciate the advice and the confidence, @@Baddoy1968. For the time being, I'm gonna stick with my Guild models.
I've heard many different reviews of the Epi Hummingbird over the last few weeks and they are outstanding...very little between them and the Gibson.
If you play them in person you will likely see, feel and hear the difference. That being said I've had a couple of the epiphone inspired by guitars and they are pretty good!
@stuco Yes, I have and my original opinion rests...is the Gibson better? Yes, but not by much and very debatable with such a price difference.
To me Gibby has its own character in articulation especially in the mid range. Eppy on the other hand sounds very standard with more bass and weaker mid hence less articulation. Nevertheless i prefer the warmer tone of Eppy though : )
Agreed
Years ago I played both the master builds and the gibson. Recently I played the new epiphone. Wonderful! Seriously competing to be the best sub-$1000 guitars in the business. That being said, I bought a 1999 gibson hummingbird early 60s ($2000, which I'm still proud to admit) and there's a major difference between the two. In person the sound is impressively better. The feel is like a welcome home from your parents, when you haven't seen them in years. It feels like it's your oldest and dearest friend. In person, my hummingbird makes people go crazy. They adore it. It's the darker, more brown sunburst and not the cherry burst. It's stunning in both looks and feel. I would not have paid the $4995. $2000 on the other hand, is well worth it. absolutely at least a $1500 difference and worth it. Not to mention, I can sell it today for about $2650-3000. It'll be worth 3500 in another 5 or so years. At the end of our time together it will be worth the original price. Well worth buying the gibson, but the epiphone is the working man's gold! It's a great instrument, for sure.
I'm here for sound difference, not poetry lol
@@TheMidnightModder That was informative Mr Goodnight. Cau dy geg 🏴 butty boy Modder Fodder. Diawn.
I’d have to agree. The real ‘birds are just something else in person. If you can find a used one in awesome shape it’s definitely worth it (I just recently found one with only a $1000ish difference…going for it most likely)
I own the Epiphone and played the Gibson I find the Epiphone to have better Tone and feel
I like that epiphones r not pricey
@@MrRubenrivera9649 Epiphones are high end guitars with out the BS price tags
@@deputyfestus4163 I have a les paul standard a sheraton a dot 335 love them
The Gibson sounded like my Gibson southern jumbo, I liked the Epiphone sound better also
@@busabrye yes and more affordable
My #1 guitar is a Gibson and I love it. That being said, in this comparison, the Epiphone is different, but equal in sound quality to my ears. I would like to play one and find out how it plays.
Purchased the Epiphone Hummingbird Pro last year. My 2nd guitar ever. I love it, and at under $400 I couldnt pass it up. Only issue I've noticed is at times I'll get a tinny buzz on the G string, but a little tweaking of the tuning peg usually remedies it. Beautiful look and sound. Would recommend.
I have a $1600 Martin, American made and some of these Epiphones are just as good if not better. I was fortunate enough to get to play on a couple and it was mind blowing how great they were.
So appreciative of the guys at Alamo music for doing this review
Going for the Asterix and Obelix vibe
Chris, are you sure the Epiphone is “machine built”? I’m betting with Indonesian labor costs being a fraction of Gibson Bozeman’s, The Epi has a lot of hand construction also. The difference in tone between the two is minimal. What it really comes down to is are you willing to pay $3800 to see the Gibson name on the headstock vs. $799 for the “inspired” version? The market will decide!
I just got this Epiphone today. It's amazing. I've gone through so many guitars. Even a gibson j200. I have the Gibson original 1950s j50. I prefer the epi hummingbird. The neck is too thick on the Gibson . The only thing that's weird to me on the hummingbird is it's so heavy for an acoustic.
Folks, this is my third time listening to it and I have come to the conclusion that the Epiphone Hummingbird is in no way inferior to the Gibson Hummingbird.
They sound the same. Maybe the gibson would sound better in some cases, but...the price
Thanks for the info. I’m trying to decide which to go with
@@ancientslav4863 I think they sound different, but they both sound good.
@@freddysnip6257 I agree. Actually, when it comes to budget, I'm a huge fan of the Godin owned brands like Seagull, Simon & Patrick and Art & Lurherie... I believe they have other + they make like sub 500 and even sub 400$ guitars that are actually better than some more expensive ones. I'm particularly fondnof the simon Patrick D cedar top. I can get a 2006 and 1999 model for 250$ with a super cool case with green and silver inside.
The Gibson sounds fuller and more balanced, you get what you pay for.
20 years from now. Epiphone worth 1,000.00 - Gibson worth 15,000.00
Both sound wonderful. if you get passed your biases and the cosmetic differences... there isn’t much of a sound difference. The Gibson resonates better but man what a steal for a fraction of the cost. I think you guys should do a blind test!
For me it comes down to branding, both sound nice and sweet to me. I bet if you switched the branding people would give the Gibson the edge even though it would be the epi. We all get sucked in to branding when in reality other brands can be two thirds cheaper and sound as good if not better. I often see top end guitars for sale when only owned for a short time when the owner has buyers remorse.
It’s not just the branding for me, it’s the handmade, domestic manufacturing compared to mass-produced, overseas manufacturing. That being said, I really like the epiphone
I REALLY wish they make a mini/parlor version of the hummingbird.
Ibanez Concord 683 was a Triple O Hummingbird from the 1970s.
I've been playing for 30 years. Even with headphones I can only detect the slightest difference between these two guitars sonically. Visually, I think the Epiphone looks better. Sonically it's a tie.
Epiphone has a winner here!
The sound comparison was very close.
Not sure I could pick the Gibson in a blind test.
I done some poking around with epiphone and found out it actually is hand scalloped bracing same as the Gibby version.
To me the Gibson has a little more low end to it than the Epiphone. Epiphone sounds really good at that price point for sure.
Nice comparison. Both high quality guitars.
There are many of us, for one reason or another, would not consider the Gibson.
However, there are a few levels of Epiphone Hummingbird that could be compared.
eg. The inspired by Gibson and the Hummingbird Pro. They MSRP about $400 difference and it would be nice to see if the IBG is worth the extra $.
I have an “inspired by” and I have compared it to actual Gibson models and it is within 1% as good as the Gibson and in reality it comes down to which Gibson you are comparing it to and down to individual guitars. I recently played a “snakebite” hummingbird that I would not have if you gave it to me, unless I could resell it to someone else.
So, your mileage may vary but I have been playing for a long time and I see no reason to drop 3k - 5k for a Gibson, the inspired by is that good. The J-45 is also great, pretty hard to compare to Gibson J-45 because there are only 11 models of the J-45/50 this year alone and every single one of them sounds different.
The biggest upside to these is I can play them out and not freak out that they will be stolen.
I am hoping that we see a Dove sometime soon.
I don’t think Gibson is too worried about hitting themselves with these instruments, because let’s face it, working players are not dropping 3-5k, doctors and lawyers are the ones buying the real thing, for the most part. Gibson is planning on damaging Martin, Taylor, MIJ Taks and Eastman. I have no problem saying that this is my favorite guitar under 2K, regardless of maker.
At the end of the day, I actually prefer the sound of the Epiphone to the Gibson, when playing both in person.
I really like what Epiphone is doing with the inspired by Gibson models. I have a firebird that I enjoy quite a bit. I would consider one of these hummingbirds as an everyday player to give my 65 bird some rest. But…
I have been listening to this in the background while doing stuff around the house. There were 2 transitions that caused me to look up and say “Oooh which one is that?” Gibson both times.
This was a great comparison. I've been playing my Martin D-15 Custom for 20 years, it's been ridden hard and still sounds great. That said, I've been having a lot of fun with open D tuning lately and have been thinking about keeping that on my Martin, which means I'd need another acoustic for standard tuning. I love the Gibson Hummingbird, but I'm also not a gear snob, so this Epiphone may be just the ticket.
I love mine sounds and looks great.
The only cons I would says about this guitar is that if you are playing out gigs like me it would get you tired fast because of the size of it, is not the most confortable guitar to play standing for a long time.
Being one of RUclipsrs bonafide experts on everything Epiphone wins all around. And I have superman grade hearing too.
Honestly, i don’t hear a $3,000 difference. And since i cant play $3,000 skill level-id go with the 20:28 . It inspires me!
Gibson sounds absolutely sensational. The Epiphone sounds really good, particularly for the price
there's a really small difference imo, like the gibson sounds just like 10% fuller
I really think these two guitars sound really close to each other. It will be interesting to hear the Epiphone after it is played in after a few years, and the Gibson as well. My opinion is that the Gibson is an investment piece, a tool for professionals. The Epiphone most likely won’t increase in value or hold value, but it can and will be a great players instrument. Your budget needs to determine which you choose. Both are really good guitars. While some will say the Epiphone doesn’t sound $3000 better, they have to understand it is way more than tone. The Gibson name on the headstock stands for USA hand built quality. If taken care of the Gibson will increase in value. Where the Epiphone is a great instrument, it isn’t an investment piece. There is definitely a difference, but it is up to each individual to decide if the cost is worth it. For me it is, I also love Epiphone I have 3 Epiphone acoustics and I love them. I also have Gibson acoustics and without a doubt they are the better of the two.
Ya'll are kill'in me... I am new as a player, learning and loving the time I get behind my guitar. I assumed from the beginning that I wanted only two guitars - a "beater" or at least something I could take outdoors, camping, etc and purchased an FG830 for that. I am about to the pull the trigger on a Yamaha FGX5 (based on your review of course) and now I watch this video and question if I should just get the Epiphone Hummingbird. Ok, So I am a newbee here to Guitars, so be nice or at least honest without KILLING ME with comments on what path.. And NO, no 3rd guitar!!
No clue on the Yamaha but this guitar is an absolute classic. I’m buying this soon myself!
And as a newbie this will be a guitar you can keep forever, and you don’t really need to upgrade ever if you don’t want (except to the Gibson, of course XD)
dont get a yamaha get a epi i got both
I own a Gibson Hummingbird, and I bought it because of the clarity of each string and depth of the tone. I also own some Epiphones and less expensive types. The Epiphone is a fine guitar, but it does not quite have the sonic qualities of the Gibson. Whether the price difference is "worth it" is an individual call.
I felt the exact same way, the Gibson sounds better 110% but the $3000 difference is an individual call. But to me the Gibson just resonates and each string sounds so full.
I bet if you did a blind comparision, then a reveal, most couldn't tell the difference. To me, they were very close in tonal quality. And not a $3k difference by any means. Epiphone is doin something right. Finally making an affordable, quality instrument to attract more people who want to play a good guitar without breaking the bank.
Honestly, in the end its all about skill. Give Eric Clapton or Hendrix a cheap guitar and they will still sound like legends. This guitar elitism is getting really annoying. A 4000$ guitar won't make you into a better player and sometimes, a cheaper guitar can sound better because there's lots of factors going into it.
That’s a great idea
I just bought a new Epi Masterbilt Excellente and it is awesome. I'm going to take it to have the neck set up.
The piece between 12:36 and 15:04 is so beautiful! Could someone help with the name of the song?
The Gibson sounded just a little better to me. I like both really well, but I would personally choose the Gibson, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at the Epi... I have several Epis and they are damn good players and they look FANTASTIC !
The accents of the hummingbirds match the tops on each guitar.
The Gibson is much louder and has more depth in its sound. But, the Epiphone sounds so sweet. I like its sound. I like the beveled pick guard and how brown it is. I would totally buy the Epiphone! But, I would probably wait until next year because I just bought an Epiphone inspired J-45! 😁. Who knows, maybe I’ll make it my birthday guitar later this year! 🍰🎸
Both are great acoustic guitars but for people with ears tuned to the sound of high end Classic Guitars I think the Gibson Humming bird would be preferred. For the price difference and availability the Epiphone is a great choice.
On a blind test you couldn't pick either out.
Both sounded great. I played both side by side at my music store and there's no doubt the Gibson is the superior guitar. The sound, the balance, and the feel.
I'm not at all saying the Epi was bad. I think they are both worth their price tag.
I love Epiphone's "Inspired by Gibson" series and their Masterbilt series of guitars. We have the J-200 and the Texan. Yes they are different sounding from Gibson, but they are absolutely outstanding guitars. We also have a Gibson J-45, a 1965 Epiphone Texan and a Martin HD-28V, so I can see the build quality differences. But for 1/3 to 1/5 the cost of an American made guitar, you can't go wrong with the higher end , non American made, Epiphones from these 2 series of guitars.
I have the cherry sunburst Epiphone 6 and 12 string Hummingbirds,.... both were demo'd side by side with a Gibson (I had the cash ready for the Gibson's) I walked away with a ton of money in my pocket and 2 superior sounding guitars!! I also have several other Epiphone guitars,... an older Korina Explorer, Viola (Beatle) Bass, 2 J-200 acoustics I think are the best ever (and I also have matching Taylor 6 & 12 strings) and those are also way better for recording than the Gibson's.... just say'n.... Next I'm looking at some older Guild models.
The Gibson sounds less harsh - less brittle in the high end.
I agree. And really, for $3K more it'd better be. lol
No they lied it’s the same guitar audio #pranked
I prefer the Epi though
What is that beautiful fingerstyle piece you are playing at 12:33? I would very much like to learn this one myself.
What is the song that you played first on each of the guitars?
i also want to know. please tell us. have been scanning comments on many of your vids looking
Wow! Hands down, the Epi killed the Gibson. Louder, better projection. I guess for recording if you want a more mellow sound, go with the Gibson, but for live and campfire, that Epi really projects. Wow! Really, Wow! Thank you!
Note: The new Gibson Hummingbird Original pickguard design is "stamped" and will fade regardless if you use a pick or play fingerstyle. Years ago the design was embedded into the pickguard.
it is the things that you come to learn about guitars lower action on the Gibson, you can hear a gradual fret buzz based on clearance of the string to fret. But if I was starting out I would buy a Epiphone and the difference can be adjust based on your playing style and the strike of the string, I would try one!
What I find very odd, no one comments on the playability difference between the two. There is a big difference and I can only say that by experiencing that hands on. The Gibson has such a easy feel over the Epiphone.
I actually just bought a J-45 Standard and a week later I said hmmm and bought that exact Gibson Hummingbird. Original series are amazing.
I was able to play the Epiphone hummingbird recently. I liked it. I feel the Gibson hummingbird sounds better in the video, yet each time I’ve played one in a store I didn’t really like it. Maybe it’s the feel when I play it? IDK
I have a 2007 Epi version. Love it!
More clarity in the Epiphone, balanced tone
I purchased an Epiphone Hummingbird PRO a month ago and she's beautiful and I can't see a $3,000 difference when I compare it to the Gibson. It has a beautiful tone but I'm not mad about that faded Heritage Cherry Sunburst which is supposed to gradually go from golden yellow at the very center and cherry red towards the edges, but on the top bout the painter screwed up he went from cherry-red to golden yellow with no fade there's a definite line where red stops and yellow begins. Also, mine has Grover machines not the Keystone but I prefer the Grovers. These are minor issues, all in all, I love it, I've been playing for 50 years and have owned many acoustics this one is the best so far.
I currently have a Pro as well that I just bought but didn't realize it had an even smaller nut than the Inspired by Gibson version (42mm vs 43mm). I wish there were more comparison videos between the Pro/Studio and the IBG version. I ended up buying an IBG version and will compare the two for myself.
I got the Epi Bird Pro, I wouldn't part with it, never wanna be without it. The midrange twang really suits my style. Pickup works great. Everyone loves the way it looks and compliments that. Tremendous value for the price in my opinion. All that being said... the nut is just a bit skinny for me. It feels a little more like work to play than my Fender or Yamaha. No doubt the Hummingbird sounds better, but when I just wanna have some easy playing fun, I usually find myself grabbing the Yamaha.
Not all solid tho
How this Epi differs with the Hummingbird Pro, Dove Pro and Masterbuilt?
Great review and playing! I have one of these Inspired by Gibson Epi Hummingbirds, a Gibson J45, Taylor 314ce, Martin HD-28 and Martin 000-28EC and I pay my Epi more than any of the others. It is a fantastic guitar and will hang with (or exceed) any of my other acoustics. I also love the vintage look and feel of the finish on the Epi.
Thanks for the info...I decided to save $3,000 and buy the Epiphone to my wife's sheer delight.
I'm assuming that straight out the box the Gibson would have better strings? Would it be a fair match to put the same string's on both guitar's? I think this would once and for all show any sound difference between the two. Really enjoyed your video.
Thanks.
If both guitars don't have the same strings , this comparison isn't 100%...... Even set up can effect tone .
Congratulations, a complete and honest review once again!!!
Your demonstrations are among the bests.
That is just an absolute awesome pick guard!! 😍
With these two instruments being as similar in spec, materials, setup, ect the tonal difference is really just a slight variation which comes down to preference and could possibly be tweaked with different strings, Bridge material, setup. In a loud bar, on a stage or in a circle of other instruments the slight tonal differences won't be apparent and would largely depend on playing style or amplification techniques. In a studio setting it may be worth the extra 3 grand to get that tone on tape but I just can't see very many practical applications where whatever tonal difference exists would be "better" or "worse". That said, I get that some want an American made classic model instrument from a reputable company...but would you wanna throw it in the back of a van, drag it around in and out of bars and hot festivals, expose it to drastic changes in temp and humidity, play it around campfires and play it hard every night doing shows? Or would the epi be better suited and perform the job just as well without having to worry about devaluation of your investment? For many, if the instrument is something you can work with in more settings and applications, it's worth more than the one that may have subjectively better overtones but which costs as much as a used car and which you have to constantly worry about.
Exactly what I was thinking . If I ever get to studio recording I will pay the extra 3 grand . The Epiphone is truly a working man’s guitar .
I bought one just on a whim cuz I liked the feel of the neck, very comfortable for me. Playing & tone wise it feels tight or stiff…I’m sure in time it will loosen up as the wood matures. Tuners look good but not not so hot & could be replaced easily. Pickup is really crummy…I took it out & had to make a new saddle & replaced it with Fishman RareEarth humbucking sound hole pickup & wow what a difference plugged in, major!
For what it cost I believe it’s one of the best guitars out there & will only get better with time. I play them hard, it’s not a financial investment & don’t care about their worth 25 years from now. That all said if I come across a Gibson at a greatly reduced price I’d …na probably not. Cheers
I just got the top of the line epi SG, incredible, EPiphone are knocking it out the park at the minute..
Thanks for this guys, great video. Any plans to do a J45 showdown? That would be cool.
The Gibson is more distinct and has more punch when compared side by side. The Epiphone sounds beautiful as well. Is the difference in tone worth the extra 3k? That comes down to personal preference. If the Epiphone was recorded in studio and I heard it on a record, I wouldn’t be able to tell you if it was an Epiphone or Gibson on the recording.
I can certainly tell a difference in the tone/color. The Epiphone sounds more "plastic" than the warmer tone of the Gibson. but it ain't no 3 grand difference... lol. Did the action and playability of the hummingbird seem easier? :D
Gibson told me the difference in scale length has to do with foreign built being metric vs imperial measurement in the US. As for 1.69" nut width on the Epiphone, take a closer look. That model as with the entire "Inspired by" are based on 1950s and 60s era Gibsons not the current production models. The Hummingbird like the J-45 and J-200 all had a 1.69" nut width early to mid 1960s... 1.725" nut width (and measure it, in spite of Gibson claiming on 1.72" on their site it still is 1.725" just as it has been since Ren Furguson resigned the lineup when Gibson opened the Montana plant). I think nut width impacts string spacing which indirectly plays a part in how someone plays .
Great review! Aside from that the look on Chris’s face when Cooper says colonoscopy shows who probably has already had one! Love you guys always on point and informative unlike a review I watched of the EPI where 3 1/2 mins in of a 5 min video the reviewer was still talking about the tape that was used to seal box guitar in hard shell case came in. Keep up the good work.
I have been noticing that the color of the top of many guitars are kind of two-tone. They don't match, colorwise. I also noticed this on the Epi 12 string you demoed. Thanks for a fantastic comparison! I love your videos.
I know a Guy who bought a Gibson hummingbird, and is sorry, he bought a 400.00 Alvarez dreadnought that sounds a whole lot better, thumbs up subbed Great video God Bless ya's Abundantly
Hi from Perth, Australia. I am in the process of buying an acoustic for recording projects. For me it was either a a Martin D28 or a Gibson Hummingbird. For my style of finger licking, I prefer the clarity of the Gibson Hummingbird. I wanted the harmonic resonance and tone full nuanced sound. Down under this will cost me AU$6700 in fact I’m getting exactly the one you have there. I’m going to get a Martin LX1 small guitar for that mid cut through sound.
I have an older Hummingbird....well aged sounds amazing. But the Epi for the price between those 2 is the one I'd buy. I can't hear a lot of difference for the price. The Hummingbird I own cost me $1200 a lot of money in the day but $3800 TO $4000 I just would not pay that much. The Gibson of course has value when resold but if your like me I've sold 2 maybe 3 in 56 years of playing that doesn't come into play.
I now have one of these Epi's in my bullseye. There are two main reasons. The first I heard that "Gibson tone" on the heavy E string. I've owned a few Gibsons over the years including a 1942 Gibson that was my mom's which I'll never part with. The second reason is the "Inspired By" is made by Samick, which is known for their superior quality. I just bought a JZ-2 Samick LaSalle which is a Gibson L-5 knockoff jazz box. Holy crap, it is very close to an L-5 in tone and very high quality all the away around. I've owned an L-5, along with a Steve Howe ES-175 and recently a Gibson Johnny Smith jazz box. I'm all about tone.
Now I have to wait until Guitar Center gets one in stock. I always buy only what I get to test drive first. p.s. I actually liked the tone of the Epiphone in this demonstration. Gary Flagg Buffalo, N.Y.
What song are you playing?
Really don't like thigh gloss guitars . So the "look" of the EPI appeals to me also. Thanks for the video guys !
Gibson sound like a gibson , epiphone sound good but not like a gibson
I agree, but I wouldn't say there is $3000+ difference in the sound quality.
@@Vales55 That's just how it works, 100$ to 500$ you're gonna get maybe a 80% improvement. But go from 800$ to 2K, maybe you only get like 30% sound improvement, more or less.
Bet if you had a blindfold on you couldn’t tell the difference 😅
Would be very hard to tell the difference if it was a blind comparison. The epiphone and Gibson don’t sound all that different.
@@jmimbles8939 coming through my cheap laptop speakers it would be impossible since there is a quality loss for all sounds. It wouldn't be easy live but it would at least be possible.
I have felt in a minority of one regarding 'Epiphone Inspired by Gibson' guitars so today I went looking for a not so "WOW! These are ace at a fraction of the price" reviews. I was looking for a built-in double output electro acoustic to avoid having to get round not having a built-in double output electro acoustic guitar. An electro acoustic guitar of my choice is not a Gibson....but the EJ200SCE seemed like a good bet for what I was looking for based on the reviews on RUclips so I bought one along with the appropriate Epiphone hard case. As for value for money it's not a bad guitar. Indeed I'd go further and say it offers good value for money....depending on what you are looking for. Mine has never left my home and remains on a wall bracket since the day it was delivered. As for a comparison to the Gibson that everybody tells me it is intended to emulate....it doesn't. The reviews I have so far seen about 'Epiphone Inspired by Gibson' have to have been compiled with a heavy bias. If you want a Gibson Les Paul, an SG, a Hummingbird, a J45 etc....I don't see a copy scratching your itch....It didn't scratch mine!
Demo starts at 11:08
My hearing tells me I like the Epiphone better. More low end. The treble sounded about the same on both, the Gibson was alot more mellow on the low end too.
It'll be interesting to see how these hold up as they look to me like a cort acoustic that I had. That (D8) was really nicely made, really big sounding, and I think it had pau ferro back and sides (solid) and a good quality torrefied top.
I was confused how it could sound as big as it did new and not have stability issues....which..
....turned out to be the case. The action was very high and it had a belly within a year. The D8s went as low as $475 new from dealers in the US who couldn't unload them (this is pre-covid) so it wasn't really worth addressing - I just sold it with high action for a loss of a couple of hundred bucks.
Anyone thinking "just drop the saddle" on the guitar I mentioned above. In one year of movement, the belly and action issues were already right around the saddle limit, which isn't that desirable (dropping the break angle that much and bottoming the saddle).
Was a great guitar for a little under $500 but with just a little bit of a concession to boom leaving the braces a little more robust, it would've been a lot better and I'd still have it.
Do you get a hard case with the epiphone hummingbird if you order from your website
Sure, if you add it to your cart! It doesn’t come with a case.
1, credit where credit is due. That was some beautiful playing mate. And 2, I prefer the epiphone for its deeper tone and darker shade. The Gibsons clarity does show abit more imo. But I couldn’t justify buying the Gibson over the epiphone based on how much I love the epiphone over all. But this is coming from a player who has 2 second hand mid range arias and they still haven’t been beaten for tone for me yet. They have Martin Co Eric Clapton mediums on so that could also be helping
SOUNDS GREAT TO ME! I'LL TAKE ONE!
There is a tonal difference, but I wonder if some of it is do to the strings. Are both being played with the some strings?
Wish you would have put the same strings on both to give the true differences in tones between the two.. l just left a local guitar store and spent over an hour on a burst hummingbird...new inspired.. it is incredible! I am gonna pull the trigger on it! It's just amazing sounding.. but l can't help but wonder if both had a fresh set of Elixers on them, how much difference would there be then?¿? I can't honestly see or hear a justification for all the extra $$$, it's not that much different..
Myself as well James. I've had mine for about 4 months or so now. I still can't believe how easy it frets and how powerful and clear it is. It is my favorite square shoulder dread. The IBG Humingbird is all that and a bag of chips. I've owned 3 Gibsons in the last 4 years and love them. I love this one too and actually prefer it.
@@randysrhythm it is really mind blowing..how well the IBG line are made and sound, l bought a Epiphone Excellente which is REALLY an AMAZING guitar.. between my Taylor GA8e, the IBG Hummer and the Excellente l have all bases covered tonewise for the music l play..l really do not see me buying another acoustic unless something catastrophic happens to one of them.. l will say the J200 being all maple is far too bright of a tone for me but lm sure if that's your thing then anyone would love the J200 IBG Epi.. the other model l think it's a J45 just really didn't impress me, however it is the best looking of the bunch..l wish it was built with hummingbird tone but it really didn't sound like anything special. So..of the IBG series l am happy to only have the Hummingbird but check out an Excellente!!OMG..YOU WILL BE HAPPY YOU DID!!😁
@@jameshill2015 We may be related? I also bought the Excellente, a couple of months ago. Agreed, just killer in every detail. I also thought the 200 was a little thin sounding, which isn’t my taste. Many like it, but it is the only one of the three that seems to be all over the map from a review standpoint. I still want to try the 45. Your take on it has me wondering if I’ll like it. You know the drill, every guitar build has a bit of a different sound, unless they are Maple (ha). I do have a friend in PA that owns one and he loves it. I’m always in search of depth/richness in tone, so probably won’t get the 200. I actually reviewed the Excellente and Hummingbird. Powerful guitars, sir.
@@randysrhythm too funny! I only know one person other than myself that even knows what an Excellente is! Petty as it may be.. l do not like the pick gaurds on EITHER.. I removed the big oversized, gummy, heavy, TONE KILLING gaurd that looks like they were drawn by a talentless 2nd grader! What a different! I did order from Bruce Wei an inlayed pickgaurd and a plain gaurd..both rose wood, in case l do not like the inlayed on the guitar..it looks amazing in pics but they are 2 weeks out from me having them. If l even put a gaurd on either guitar l will use 3/4" 3M adhesive dots so the gaurd is actually floating to keep the tone, wood gaurds certainly do not kill the sound the way the factory gaurds do. Look him up. I had him add pine needles to the Epi's dead branches and the detail of the Eagle is mind blowing! Text me at 617 513-4410 and l will send you a picture of both Excellente gaurds. You likely feel like l do..😂
I already have 4 Epiphone Masterbilts. They are all made in Indonesia in 2013-2017. I’m debating whether I should get this Hummingbird. Like my 4 Masterbilts, craftsmanship should be exceptional. I like the headstock. I’m just a little concerned about the use of Indian Laurel on the fretboard as I prefer Ebony or Rosewood. Anyway, I went ahead and watched this in my family room set-up using a pair of full-range Canadian-import reference tower speakers. To my ‘untrained ears’, I was not able to hear any difference. The Epiphone sounded just as good as the Gibson - warm and balanced. Thank you for this comparison video. 👍🏼👍🏼
I have the masterbilt dr500 and it’s amazing! Great lows and highs but never to boomy or sharp just soo well balanced. Just got the hummingbird ibg, it has a lot more less bass than the dr500 but it’s super fun to play and it inspires you to write more songs. And my gibson humming bird has more low end but less than the masterbilt dr500.
Was the IBG Bird played right out of the box or was it set up before the video shoot?