Gibson Hummingbird Artist

Gibson Hummingbird Artist--made especially by Gibson for Guitar Center. 24 3/4" neck,
1 3/4" nut, MOP parallellogram inlays, Gold backed Kluson-style tuners with the Gibson Volute classic plastic keys, Honeyburst Nitro finish, solid spruce top, solid mahoghany back/sides, LR Baggs Element pickup system. Slim neck, round shouldered dreadnought style body, Western-style pickguard. A very light instrument; forward X-bracing for better sound. Funny thing-- Gibson will not release any specs through Customer Service about this guitar---you have to get it from Guitar Center or on an online search.

First off, this is not a regular Gibson Hummingbird---it doesn't have square shoulders(round instead) or the floral pickguard. Does have the same wood combination of spruce/mahoghany. It looks and sounds more like a J45 with a honeyburst finish. Not a particularily loud guitar but with a distinctive, tight sound that has a vintage vibel to it.
It has a sound unlike my other guitars, but in a good way.
Pleasing bass/not boomy with delicate highs. Not a bell-like sound quality like a Taylor, and not as much sustain as a Taylor or a Gibson Songwriter Deluxe, but very pleasing to the ears, especially unplugged. I don't much care for the Baggs Element pickup in this guitar; it sounds harsh and 'poppy' when fingerpicked or strummed. I'll bet a K&K mini would sound better.
Right now this guitar will sound the best when mic'ed externally to really tap into its original sound. It's great for fingerpicking and singing/playing unplugged. Has a sound that kind of grows on you over time. Can be strummed, fingerpicked with ease.

Set up seems fine but I might check to see if the nut slots need to be filed. Beautiful honeyburst/amber finish--Gibson does it the best. Did notice lines in the finish on the top where it looks like the luthier didn't buff them out--the top should be like glass and you see these finish lines! No excuse for that. MOP inlays perfect, no filler around the edges. Nice gloss Nitro finish overall with the exception of the unbuffed lines in the top finish.

Yes this would withstand live playing; tuners hopefully will last, although Grovers would have been more durable(I always have had a concern about the volute plastic tuning keys breaking). Nitro finish scratches/dings easily, so be careful. The first scratch is the hardest,
but these instruments are made to be played, not put in a case.

Brand new; haven't dealt with warranty issues. As I mentioned before, it was interesting that Gibson wouldn't release any info on this model because it was made especially for Guitar Center...don't understand that.

Been playing 30+years; own a selection of Martins, Taylors, and Gibsons. I like the sound but wish it had a bit more sustain. Also would have liked a K&K mini pickup instead of the Active Baggs Element. It does have a sweet sound, if it was lost or stolen not sure if I would replace it.
It is an overall nice guitar for performing and suits my playing style just fine.