Epiphone Hummingbird Studio Acoustic-Electric Guitar Review: An Amplified, Rich Tone

The Epiphone Hummingbird Studio is a great option for anyone looking for a high-quality acoustic-electric guitar. It features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a mahogany neck. The guitar has a warm, rich tone that is perfect for a variety of genres, including country, folk, and rock. The Hummingbird Studio also comes with Fishman Sonitone electronics, which provide great amplified sound.

A Brief Overview of Fender Guitars

Epiphone is an American musical instrument brand that traces its roots to a musical instrument manufacturing business founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos in Smyrna, Ottoman Empire and moved to New York City in 1908. The company was originally called “Epiphone De Luxe Company” and was known for producing high-quality mandolins.

In 1923, Epiphone began producing guitars and quickly became one of the leading guitar manufacturers in the world. In 1957, Epiphone was acquired by Gibson, its main rival in the archtop guitar market at the time. Gibson relocated Epiphone’s manufacturing operation from its original Queens, New York, factory to Gibson’s Kalamazoo, Michigan, factory.

Over time, as Gibson moved its own manufacturing operations to other facilities, Epiphone followed suit; Gibson also subcontracted the construction of Epiphone products to various facilities in the US and internationally. Today, Epiphone is still used as a brand for the Gibson company, both for budget models of other Gibson-branded products and for several Epiphone-exclusive models. Aside from guitars, Epiphone has also made double basses, banjos, and other string instruments, as well as amplifiers.

Epiphone guitars are known for their high quality, affordability, and versatility. They are a great choice for a variety of genres, including rock, blues, jazz, and country. Epiphone guitars are also a good choice for beginners and experienced players alike.

Design and Construction

The Epiphone Hummingbird Studio is a dreadnought-sized acoustic guitar with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It has a mahogany neck with a 25.5-inch scale length and a pau ferro fingerboard with 20 medium jumbo frets. The guitar is equipped with a Fishman Sonitone pickup system and a Corian nut and saddle.

The Hummingbird Studio has a comfortable, easy-to-play neck with rolled fretboard edges. The solid spruce top provides a bright, clear sound, while the mahogany back and sides give the guitar a warm, rich tone. The Fishman Sonitone pickup system allows for amplification of the acoustic sound, and the Corian nut and saddle improve the guitar’s sustain and playability.

Here are some of the features of the Epiphone Hummingbird Studio:

• Solid spruce top: The solid spruce top provides a bright, clear sound.
• Mahogany back and sides: The mahogany back and sides give the guitar a warm, rich tone.
• Mahogany neck: The mahogany neck provides a comfortable, easy-to-play feel.
• Pau Ferro fingerboard: The pau ferro fingerboard has a smooth, fast feel.
• 20 medium jumbo frets: The 20 medium jumbo frets provide a comfortable playing experience.
• Fishman Sonitone pickup system: The Fishman Sonitone pickup system allows for the amplification of acoustic sound.
• Corian nut and saddle: The Corian nut and saddle improve the guitar’s sustain and playability.

Sound and Performance

The Epiphone Hummingbird Studio has a warm, full sound with a bright, clear top end. The solid spruce top provides brightness, while the mahogany back and sides give the guitar its warm tone. The guitar is well-balanced, with good projection and sustain.

Here are some of the things to consider about the Epiphone Hummingbird Studio’s sound and performance:

• Warm, full sound: The solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides provide a warm, full sound that is well-suited for fingerstyle playing and strumming.
• Bright, clear top end: The solid spruce top provides a bright, clear top end that is perfect for fingerpicking.
• Versatile sound: The Hummingbird Studio is a versatile guitar that can be used for a variety of genres, making it a great choice for beginners and experienced players alike.
• Comfortable to play: The rolled fretboard edges make the guitar comfortable to play for long periods of time, even for players with smaller hands.
• Good projection and sustain: The guitar has good projection and sustain, making it a great choice for live performance.

Overall, the Epiphone Hummingbird Studio is a great choice for players who are looking for a versatile, affordable acoustic guitar with great sound. It is a comfortable guitar to play, and it can be used for a variety of genres.

Here are some reviews of the Epiphone Hummingbird Studio:

• “The Epiphone Hummingbird Studio is a great guitar for the money. It has a warm, full sound that is perfect for fingerstyle playing and strumming. The guitar is also very comfortable to play, with a rolled fretboard edge that makes it easy to play for long periods of time.” – Guitar Player Magazine
• “The Epiphone Hummingbird Studio is a great value for the price. It has a sound that is comparable to much more expensive guitars, and it is a comfortable guitar to play.” – Acoustic Guitar Magazine
• “The Epiphone Hummingbird Studio is a great choice for players who are looking for a versatile, affordable acoustic guitar with a great sound.” – Guitar World Magazine

Below is a great video showing off the sounds of the Epiphone Hummingbird Studio.

Playability and Comfort

The Epiphone Hummingbird Studio is a comfortable guitar to play, thanks to its SlimTaper D profile neck and rolled fretboard edges. The SlimTaper D profile is a popular shape for acoustic guitars, as it provides a comfortable grip for both strumming and fingerpicking. The rolled fretboard edges make it comfortable to play up and down the neck, even for players with smaller hands.

The Hummingbird Studio also has a 25.5-inch scale length, which is a standard scale length for acoustic guitars. This scale length provides a comfortable playing feel for most players.

Overall, the Epiphone Hummingbird Studio is a comfortable guitar to play, making it a great choice for beginners and experienced players alike.

Here are some of the things to consider about the Epiphone Hummingbird Studio’s playability and comfort:

• SlimTaper D profile neck: The SlimTaper D profile is a comfortable shape for acoustic guitars, providing a comfortable grip for both strumming and fingerpicking.
• Rolled fretboard edges: The rolled fretboard edges make it comfortable to play up and down the neck, even for players with smaller hands.
• 25.5-inch scale length: The 25.5-inch scale length is a standard scale length for acoustic guitars, providing a comfortable playing feel for most players.

Value and Longevity

The Epiphone Hummingbird Studio is a great value for the price. It is a well-made guitar with good sound and playability. The solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides provide a good balance of brightness and warmth, and the SlimTaper D profile neck is comfortable to play for long periods of time.

The Hummingbird Studio is also a relatively durable guitar. The solid spruce top is resistant to warping and cracking, and the mahogany back and sides are strong and stable. With proper care, the Hummingbird Studio can last for many years.

Here are some of the things to consider about the Epiphone Hummingbird Studio’s value and longevity:

• Good value for the price ($449): The Hummingbird Studio is a well-made guitar with good sound and playability, making it a great value for the price.
• Relatively durable: The solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides are resistant to warping and cracking, making the Hummingbird Studio a relatively durable guitar.
• Can last for many years: With proper care, the Hummingbird Studio can last for many years.

If you are looking for a high-quality, affordable acoustic guitar that is sure to last, the Epiphone Hummingbird Studio is a great option.

Epiphone Hummingbird Studio Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Classic design and aesthetic inspired by the iconic Gibson Hummingbird.
2. Solid spruce top and mahogany body produce a warm and resonant tone.
3. Built-in Fishman electronics provide reliable and versatile amplified sound.

Cons:

1. The overall build quality and finishing may not be as high as the original Gibson Hummingbird.
2. Some players may find the action (string height) to be slightly high out of the box and may require adjustment.

Conclusion

Overall, the Epiphone Hummingbird Studio is a great option for anyone looking for a high-quality acoustic-electric guitar. It features a warm, rich tone, a comfortable neck, and great amplified sound. If you are looking for a guitar that can do it all, the Epiphone Hummingbird Studio is a great choice.

Further Reading on charlestonclassicalguitar.org: If you have further questions, then I can help point you in the right direction. Hopefully, you can now make an informed decision on whether this guitar is right for you. Next, check out my other guides:

• How to Change Strings on an Acoustic Guitar
• Cleaning Your Guitar, A Step-by-Step Guide

Looking for other options for a beginner acoustic guitar? Check out our post on 10 Of The Best Beginner Acoustic Guitars.

Editorial Process:

My reviews are made by a team of one, myself, before being written and come from real-world experience. Read our editorial process here.

Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to us at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy.

Chadwick Becks

I have two degrees in guitar performance and was privileged to study under Aaron Shearer, Tom Kikta, David Skantar, Ken Karsh, Tim Bedner, and currently Christopher Berg. Outside my editorial work on this blog, I teach full-time across many genres including classical, jazz, blues, rock, funk, and metal.