Gibson 1960 Hummingbird VCS VOS Red Spruce

Carefully selected top wood with special treatment

In order for the instrument to produce its bright and rich sound, the manufacturer uses a coarse-grained Adirondack spruce wood for the construction of the top, which is first subjected to a thermal treatment, so that the sound can develop quickly and persistently, just like an instrument that has been played for decades. This effect is further enhanced by the flat scalloped X-bracing, which allows the top wood to vibrate freely. The wafer-thin nitro lacquer with its striking Vintage Cherry Sunburst finish also contributes to this effect. Surrounded by a cream-coloured multi-ply binding, the colour gradient of the top merges smoothly into the finish of the back and sides, perfectly matching the rest of the instrument's components. The heart of this cult model from the Gibson acoustic guitar family is the large, eponymous pickguard, which depicts a hummingbird and is decorated with elaborate floral ornaments.

Warm basses and pronounced mid-range frequencies

Perfectly matched to the top wood, the manufacturer uses high quality mahogany wood for the back and sides, which not only gives the entire sound a warm note, but also enriches the bass and middle frequencies with a fundamental saturation that makes the instrument perfect for vocal accompaniment and rhythmic strumming. The thin finish allows the back to vibrate more freely, producing a quick attack even on the lightest touch. The back and sides are also framed by a multi-ply binding, which provides a tasteful contrast to the reddish colour of the finely grained wood. The even grain of the material further illustrates how the manufacturer uses only the finest woods for his high-quality Custom Shop instruments to create the perfect sound experience for which their guitars are famous throughout the world.

A short scale and excellent playability

To facilitate playing, the 1960 Hummingbird features a mahogany neck with a rosewood fingerboard, which in combination with the nut width of 43.81 mm and the shortened scale length of 628.65 mm can be wonderfully played all the way up to the highest frets decorated with mother-of-pearl parallelogram inlays. Clean intonation is ensured by a bone nut and a matching bone saddle, which is embedded in the fixed rosewood bridge. The precise workmanship of the inlays illustrates the craftsmanship of the Gibson Custom Shop. Golden Gotoh Keystone tuners are embedded in the characteristic headstock, which allows the 6 steel strings to be tuned easily and adds a noble touch to the overall appearance. The guitar comes with a sturdy wooden case with black interior, a certificate of authenticity with model number and a Gibson Accessory Kit.

The Gibson 1960 Hummingbird VCS VOS Red Spruce at a glance:

• Custom Shop acoustic guitar in Square Shoulder construction
  
• All solid construction with thin nitro finish
• Adirondack spruce top with thermal treatment and Hummingbird pickguard
• Mahogany body with cream-coloured multi-ply bindings
• Bone nut with 43.81 mm width and fixed bone saddle
• Mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and MOP parallelogram inlays
• Shortened scale length of 628,65 mm
• 20 frets
• Golden Gotoh Keystone tuners
• Including case, certificate and Gibson Accessory Kit