'65 Gibson Hummingbird

[mopar redneck]

It was my grandpa's. He bought it brand new. And I finally inherited it!!!! Pics:

Stress crack is starting to form:




My Aunts have had it over the years after he passed away, and I have been trying to get it. They let their f-ing dog get to it, and as you can plainly see ^^
where the scratches are, and they kept the strings pulled tight on it, and never played it for who knows how long! (yes, the neck is straight, thank god!) That was the last straw, so I took it, and flew 2,700 miles away lol.
But I am not very familiar with the taking care of acoustics.
It's a family airloom (sp) and I know it is worth something being that it does not have the painted pick gaurd and has the lighter wood, which I beleive were options at the time.
So any info will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

Not a Hummingbird. It is a Country-Western or Southern Jumbo. And that dog should be on some Chinese dinner table!!

[mopar redneck]

Originally Posted by SKATTERBRANE

Not a Hummingbird. It is a Country-Western or Southern Jumbo. And that dog should be on some Chinese dinner table!!

I've had many of experts on Gibsons tell me it's a Hummingbird????? Mainly due to the 3 tipped pickgaurd. That color and the lack of paint were options in 1965.
And, yes, yes it should lol.

Your experts are wrong. Believe who you want. The SJN (Southern Jumbo Natural) is basically the same as a Hummingbird. Everyone knows the Hummingbird, fewer are aware of the SJN. It is not a matter of IF, it is a matter of WHEN you tell me I am right about this. I do not bother to comment on factual matters, unless I know what I am talking about.

The Hummingbird PG is actually slightly larger than the PG on you SJN. On the Hummingbird it reaches all the way to the centerline of the sound hole. Why would a Hummingbird NOT have a hummingbird on the PG? The Southern Jumbo when from a slope shoulder to a square shoulder to emmulate the Hummingbird in 1962 and in 1965 the neck became slimmer.

This is a GREAT guitar and a precious family heirloom. It would serve you well to do your own research.

If you were to put this thread under "Other Gibsons" rather than "Other Guitars" maybe you would get more information on this. I only saw it because it was the on the main page at the time. I seldom, if ever, look at non-Gibson threads.

Here is a 68 Southern Jumbo:

ORIGINAL 1968 GIBSON SOUTHERN JUMBO; EXCEPTIONALLY FINE - eBay (item 260297979558 end time Oct-16-08 00:17:57 PDT)

And a 65. I see the Sunburst and the Naturals have different coloring on the PG.
Gibson SJ Southern Jumbo 1965 Sunburst Acoustic Guitar - eBay (item 230297829174 end time Oct-13-08 07:38:53 PDT)

See how the 60s Hummingbird PG is actually bigger?
Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic Guitar 1967 - eBay (item 130261272650 end time Oct-14-08 17:55:19 PDT)

[mopar redneck]

Well shoot. I always thought it was. Well, that's what the family said and thought

Oh well. I was having difficulty finding a site about older acoustics, but finally found one, but didn't tell me much, enough though to tell me it's a '66, and not a '65. And from the comparism pics, it is a country western. (by the looks of the tuner location's)

Now about my original question.....................

Your question about taking care of it? Well, if you live in a dry climate, or if it is cold and dry during winter, you will want a humidor that is made for Acoustics. I think Planet waves makes a good one. If you are not playing it, the strings should be loosened. And I would treat the fretboard with oil from FretDoctor. Maybe, eventually you will want to have the stress crack cleated, so it does not widen or spread, and most people do not care for the adjustable bridge, it is a tone sucker.

Or you could not go through all this worry and hassle and sell it to me for a buck $2.98.

SJNs are worth almost as much as Hummingbirds of the same year....no big deal it is not a Hummingbird! I LIKE the natural tops much better than the sunburst tops myself.

[Hemply]

Hi Mopar

Nice Score!

Glad to see the ol' gal out of the closet and being played!
As for caring for your acoustics just basically do the same thing you do for your electrics. No excessive mositure, extreme temp changes, etc.

Playing the guitar also does wonders!!!

Don't "stress" over the "stress crack" () too much at this point it doesn't look that bad... I would keep and eye on it. Maybe one of the well experienced Luthiers here about the forums could offer you more info about the stress crack.

Enjoy you sweet acoustic!

[mopar redneck]

$2.98 SCORE! lol no this will never be sold as long as I live. I never got to meet my grandpa before he passed away so it's the only thing I have to remember him by.
I do play it a lot, and when I'm not playing I do loosen the strings.
I live in NC so it's always humid out here.

I've had many of people play this guitar, and all of them have said it is the best sounding guitar they have ever heard. I'm quite proud to have it now instead of my guitar abusing aunts!