Suzuki Hummingbird Copy

I baught Suzuki Hummingbird in 1978,

It has a lovely full tone that suits the misic I play,country and ballads.

Over the years it became harder to play up the fretboard as the action raised, but I got that sorted by a bouzuki maker who also put six new frets from the nut up, the result was great. I did a DIY job in putting a pick-up in it but I don't think it was successful.

After playing the guitar without a hardcase for ten years I can't fault it's build an durability. I've done a few recordings with and it sounded fabulous on play back.

I would like to have a fishman pick-up installed in it. It would compliment my other guitar, a Takamine EAN10C.

I'm contemplating on buying a Gibson Hummingbird which have a built-in pick-up.

I still have this guitar.

This is a Gibson copy. Eye catching without inducing nausea. I bought in 1976 for the sound, not the looks

The resonant bass was the main selling point. The other guitars at the time were "tinny" epiphones and the like. The guitar was easy to pick. I play fingerstyle folky type stuff and this was a dream, so much so I bought the 12-string version 2 years later (when I had saved enough pocket money (as a mid-teenager)

It was nicely set up for me. I had no problems or grumps

Ah me....
An ignorant youth. This guitar (and its 12 string brother) went to university with me. Several damp homes later I realised that the soundboard was beginning to warp. This is no fault of the guitars.... You can only ask so much!
The guitars are both still playable and keep their rich tones, but it is like the slow death of a favourite relative

I thought about getting it repaired but wonder at the expense. It is no fault of the company. Thirty years on and I guess all bets (warranties) are off!

I have had other guitars. Until recently I had a Takamine 12 string but enjoyed the Suzuki more (maybe it is like a first love, so no offence to the Takamine)

Got this off ebay after playing 2 other suzukis which sounded great. I assume its Japanese built built around 1970s(?) but dont really know about the construction etc. Sure looks like a Hummingbird copy though (surprisingly...)

Mine had an adustable bridge (is this standard?)

Sounds terrific... its sort of mellow- sweet singy sort of sound that is not too brilliabt on the bass but suits a lot of my fingerpicking stuff... Recently I put light strings on (10s) and this seemed a big mistake. Sound is now too weak (still sweet tho and dead easy to play ! see below) and buzzing is setting in. My fault not the guitars.

This guitar is quite old but apart from some dings and some strange holes around the bridge is very playable. In fact the action is the easiest Ive seen on any acoustic (think electric action sort of.) Im sure it can be made well nigh perfect altho as I say I have ruined the action temporarily...

Seems well made and has lasted this lon so maybe itll last another 20 years...

I guess Id gig with this - might even get some electrics fitted actually thinking about it...

Long gone warranty I think...

Ive been playing 30 years or so - curently own Simon and Patrick, TAkamine (for gigs), old Epiphone PR300. Suzuki is easiest to play but perhaps does not project as much as the Simon and Patrick. Ive not recoreded with the Suzuki but I reckon it could be miked and EQd to very excellent effect.
Overall it was an amazing bargain - did I mention the intonation is spot on at the 12th fret ... just wish it wasnt a copy!

This is Japanese made copy of a Gibson Hummingbird.
Made in 1970s or 80s. Solid woods - spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Mahogany neck. Rosewood fretboard with Hummingbird style
twin angled MOP inlays. Usual dreadnought shape.
Sunburst finish similar to the Gibson version.
Hummingbird style pick guard just like the Gibson.
This guitar has been retrofitted with a passive pick-up under the saddle. Cheap looking tuners - open, 3 on a strip type which
rather ruin an otherwise pretty accurate looking copy.

Sounds wonderful. Very sweet clear ringing tones. Not quite enough bass for my liking but this guitar produces really well balanced lovely ringing sounds with excellent sustain. My style is finger picking - John Renbourn/James Taylor and some ragtime/blues. The tone, clarity and sustain are superb. When you play through an amp using the under saddle pick-up, the sound is OK but not that wonderful. I think the pick-up was retro fitted 10 years ago and is not that good. However, on its own this guitar sounds very very nice even though its not an expensive guitar.

The action is pretty good. The nut is not perfect (one string
not seating that well) so I will change it when I have the time.
The action could be taken down a fraction which should be straightforward as there is plenty of material still on the saddle.
There are no markers on the upper fretboard edge binding - something
I really like on one of my other guitars, I may get that done as well.

The pick-up was retro fitted for live playing. At 20 years old at least, the guitar has stood the test of time.
However, its been well looked after. Just a few scratches.
With a really nice sounding guitar like this, owners tend
to take good care of them. I certainly do.

Don't think Suzuki are still making guitars.
Just use my local guitar techie when I need something sorting.

I have been playing for nearly 40 years. I have 8 guitars at present,
5 acoustics and 3 electrics.
I bought this after hearing a couple of other Suzuki Hummingbirds
(one was in a shop and one was being played live). They both sounded really nice. After playing many many other guitars, I really regretted not buying the one in the shop. So when I saw this one advertised as having a superb tone, I was interested. I am very very pleased I bought it. Over the last 35 years, I have owned about 20 guitars of various makes. This particular instrument is the best sounding acoustic guitar under $1,000 that I have ever owned (or even listened to). If you find one and it sounds really nice - buy it.