Guitar: Gibson Songbird

Subject: Gibson Songbird
From: jeepman (inactive)
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 01:35 PM

Would you kind Mudcatters help me with info on the Gibson Songbird guitar? I am going to look at one Monday and would like a little background. I pick Bluegrass,Blues and Folk. Jeepman

Subject: RE: Gibson Songbird
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 11:07 PM

Hey guys, c'mon!!!

~S~

Subject: RE: Gibson Songbird
From: Justa Picker
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 11:13 PM

Info straight from Gibson.

Subject: RE: Gibson Songbird
From: mkebenn
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 11:13 PM

Don't know the Songbird, but if it's a cousin to the Hummigbird, it's a fine instument, for a Gibson. Mike, unreformed Martin idiot.

Subject: RE: Gibson Songbird
From: Justa Picker
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 11:16 PM

Previous link was for the Songbird Deluxe. Here's a link for the regular Songbird.

Subject: RE: Gibson Songbird
From: mkebenn
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 11:26 PM

Checked Justa Picker's site. Looks like my '68 J100. Nice to play, but treble. Don't take it out in the cold, the finish will shatter.. Mike

Subject: RE: Gibson Songbird
From: Mark Clark
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 11:30 PM

The Blue Book Of Guitars, referenced from Gibson's Website contains the entries:

SONGBIRD - square shoulder body similar to the Hummingbird & Dove Series, solid spruce top, mahogany back/sides/neck, morado fingerboard/bridge, gloss finished top with satin back. Available in Antique Walnut finish. New 1999. ----------------------
The Gibson catalog describes it as "Designed for the working musician who demands a superior sound at an affordable price. Antique Walnut Finish with glossy top and satin back and neck."
Here are their complete specs.

SONGBIRD DELUXE - similar to Songbird, except has Indian rosewood back/sides/fingerboard/bridge, abalone fingerboard inlays and rosette, includes active transducer pickup. Available in Antique Natural finish. New 1999.. ----------------------
The Gibson catalog describes it as "Superior performance model with rosewood back and sides and an active transducer pickup. Antique Natural Finish.."
Here are their complete specs.

Hope this helps,

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Gibson Songbird
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 11:31 PM

This is basically Gibson's entry into the "road guitar" market. Martin, Larrivee, Taylor, and others have entries here too. They retail in the 1500 range but are pretty commonly sold at about a grand.

If you want an upscale guitar and you like Gibson, its OK, although with a little searching and playing, you can find several of the G's better models at around the same price used and some of them will be a LOT better.

If you're just into going upscale and into one of the better makers, try the entries from Martin and Larrivee first (won the categoty in "Acoustic Guitar") and the others too. The Taylors are VERY popular right now with a lot of artists.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Gibson Songbird
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 11:45 PM

A few examples.....

This Larrivee from Elderly witha a hardshell case will come in at about $725.

This Martin will come in at $714 as marked with case.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Gibson Songbird
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 12:10 AM

Ya know, this thread had fallen off the page. Let's all make a habit of refreshing our share of fallen threads-- this is GREAT!

~S~

Subject: RE: Gibson Songbird
From: GUEST
Date: 28 May 09 - 03:08 PM

from what i know,the songbird was a discontinued name.it is now called the songwriter.i personally own a songbird 12 string and a songwriter 6 string.bot are strung up with flatwounds.they both are fanominal guitars.i traded in the 12 string for a 1968 es-175,and ended up repurchasing it back.i couldn't find another 12 string with the range of the gibson.

Subject: RE: Gibson Songbird
From: michaelr
Date: 28 May 09 - 10:49 PM

Why would you use flatwound strings?

Subject: RE: Gibson Songbird
From: GUEST,david
Date: 08 Jun 15 - 09:01 PM

I have a songbird and the sound is based on the 1937 Gibson. if you search history of Gibson songbird you will robi jon from Gibson explain the Gibson songbird. they only made 600 before being asked to discontinue, thus came the songwriter.