Gibson Acoustics

I'm idly pondering some Gibson Acoustics, from various years.  A J45, Hummingbird or Dove potentially.  

I'm wondering whether have Gibson made any changes to their acoustics over the last 15 years or so?  Or would say a 2010 guitar be essentially the same a current one?   

I've heard people say the current ones are pretty good, but I can't find any info on any changes (if any) to things like was scalloped vs non scalloped bracing, nitro finishes, electronics etc etc

Like any high end acoustic from the big manufacturers they vary wildly in quality and playability.  As far as I know gibson have made minor tweaks to the specs like the electronics etc but I would buy the one that plays and sounds best

Really hard to say, they can differ alot

But why? Pretty ordinary guitars and grossly overpriced. 

(Disclaimer: I have never plated a Dove or a J-200. But the Gibson acoustics I have played (mostly but not only J-45s) have been massively underwhelming.)

Oh, but to answer the question: yes, Gibson have made big changes over the last 15 years, especially since 2020. Their prices have gone up by 50%.

EDIT: I meant J-200 and wrote "J-45" above. Brain fade. :( Now corrected. Sorry for any confusion.

Tannin said:

But why? Pretty ordinary guitars and grossly overpriced. 

(Disclaimer: I have never plated a Dove or a J-45. But the Gibson acoustics I have played (mostly but not only J-45s) have been massively underwhelming.)

My Dove (2008) is probably the best acoustic I’ve ever owned, or possibly played - if not, it’s in the top two or three, and that includes vintage Martins etc - but that said, I’ve played a few others including another 2008 model, and none were as good.

The other candidate for the best I’ve owned is my much-missed ‘61 J-45 - and again, I’ve played others of a similar age and not found one as good. The lesson from that is not to sell the Dove.

Fishboy7 said:

I'm idly pondering some Gibson Acoustics, from various years.  A J45, Hummingbird or Dove potentially.  

I'm wondering whether have Gibson made any changes to their acoustics over the last 15 years or so?  Or would say a 2010 guitar be essentially the same a current one?   

I've heard people say the current ones are pretty good, but I can't find any info on any changes (if any) to things like was scalloped vs non scalloped bracing, nitro finishes, electronics etc etc

Here's an example of spec changes over roughly a decade. 

ICBM said:

Tannin said:

But why? Pretty ordinary guitars and grossly overpriced. 

(Disclaimer: I have never plated a Dove or a J-45. But the Gibson acoustics I have played (mostly but not only J-45s) have been massively underwhelming.)

My Dove (2008) is probably the best acoustic I’ve ever owned, or possibly played - if not, it’s in the top two or three, and that includes vintage Martins etc - but that said, I’ve played a few others including another 2008 model, and none were as good.

The other candidate for the best I’ve owned is my much-missed ‘61 J-45 - and again, I’ve played others of a similar age and not found one as good. The lesson from that is not to sell the Dove.

Yep, I hear no end of nice things about the Dove. One of these days, I'll actually get to try one! Unlike almost all other Gibsons it has a full length scale (a must-have in my book) and I'm a maple tragic from way back. So on paper (and on You-tube recordings for whatever they are worth) it looks like something I'd love. 

Unfortunately, most of the ones I see advertised for sale (usually interstate) have stained backs - what's wrong with real natural timber? But if one of my local shops ever has one for me to try out, the stain wouldn't slow me down much. If I loved it, I could always order one in a natural finish. (Or else just buy it anyway.)

But as for J-45s, I've tried four or five different ones and didn't much care for any of them. 

A good Dove is an incredible thing. Likewise a great J45. The modern standard-line J45 is actually usually great but the fancy ones get very expensive 

But Atkin takes it for me - similar prices and their J43 and LG-47 models are better than anything I've played from Gibson except those occasional exceptional Doves. 

I'm actually surprised none of the larger boutique guys do a Dove-alike (or Hummingbird for that matter) - it's all J45s and Martin clones

Thanks for the replies - I think there is a classic Gibson acoustic sound (in my head at least) which appeals and they look cool.  But I agree they seem overpriced next to other makers, and apparently are quite variable.  

Good to know there have been no major revamps over the years though - the only difference I notice is that newer ones seem to have Klusons rather than Grovers.  

Tannin said:

Yep, I hear no end of nice things about the Dove. One of these days, I'll actually get to try one! Unlike almost all other Gibsons it has a full length scale (a must-have in my book) and I'm a maple tragic from way back. So on paper (and on You-tube recordings for whatever they are worth) it looks like something I'd love. 

Unfortunately, most of the ones I see advertised for sale (usually interstate) have stained backs - what's wrong with real natural timber? But if one of my local shops ever has one for me to try out, the stain wouldn't slow me down much. If I loved it, I could always order one in a natural finish. (Or else just buy it anyway.)

The cherry back is standard - I assume originally to give something of the same look as a mahogany or rosewood guitar. If you’d asked me years ago if I wanted an acoustic that looked like Dolly Parton’s handbag I would have said no - but it just sounds so great that I really don’t care now, it’s just what it is.

I've never played either a Dove or a Hummingbird. From other reviews on the site they are held in high esteem, but I can't get past those dreadful etched pick guards - they look like stuff you'd get at a Xmas market stall. 
If I was in the market for another guitar I'd be (even more) stupid not to grit my teeth & try one.
I know I'm the one missing out here though.
:#
 

Soupman said:

I've never played either a Dove or a Hummingbird. From other reviews on the site they are held in high esteem, but I can't get past those dreadful etched pick guards - they look like stuff you'd get at a Xmas market stall. 
If I was in the market for another guitar I'd be (even more) stupid not to grit my teeth & try one.
I know I'm the one missing out here though.
:#
 

They also do the Elvis Dove, which somewhat ironically is much plainer - although only comes in black as far as I know.

Soupman said:

I've never played either a Dove or a Hummingbird. From other reviews on the site they are held in high esteem, but I can't get past those dreadful etched pick guards - they look like stuff you'd get at a Xmas market stall. 
If I was in the market for another guitar I'd be (even more) stupid not to grit my teeth & try one.
I know I'm the one missing out here though.
:#
 

Regardless of how they sound it bugs me that the hummingbird is upside down when the guitar is being played. :D 

Pjon said:

Regardless of how they sound it bugs me that the hummingbird is upside down when the guitar is being played. :D 

I can just about convince myself that the dove is doing that head-down pose they do when they’re sitting on a branch and looking at something suspicious on the ground :).