Gibson Acoustic Hummingbird KOA Custom Shop. 2005. Ex+ cond. 

The Hummingbird Custom is one of Gibson Acoustic’s most popular Custom Shop models. Handmade at the Custom Shop in Bozeman, Montana, this model is based on the company’s original Hummingbird, which was first released in 1960. Few guitars in the company’s line of fine acoustic and electric guitar have as much lavish ornamentation, though the overall effect is anything but gaudy. This instrument features a headstock and bridge bearing custom inlaid Hummingbirds in flight, each hand engraved and made of solid mother-of-pearl. The top of the Hummingbird Custom is constructed of solid Sitka spruce, while the back and sides are hand-selected SUPERFLAMED koa, a timber found only in the Hawaiian Islands. The binding is 8-ply, with abalone on top and 5-ply on the back. An elegant Orpheum-style fingerboard inlay of colorful abalone contrasts beautifully against an African ebony fingerboard. Finally, the pickguard of the Hummingbird Custom is suitable for framing with its ornate pearl and abalone hand engraved inlay work. Each Hummingbird Custom is created with elaborate gold tuners, personally engraved by Gibson’s master luthiers. The neck is constructed of solid tropical mahogany with a comfortable round profile that will please most musicians. As discriminating guitarists in the 1960s immediately discovered, underneath the Hummingbird’s somewhat flashy ornamentation is a solid, high quality guitar with a superbly balanced sound. This stunning example of Gibson’s master craftsmanship comes standard with a deluxe plush-lined, Custom Shop hardshell case.