BRAND NEW Gibson Special Acoustics
Published on 04 March 2025
Now, do these Gibson acoustics look familiar to you? Look again!
These iconic models - the Hummingbird, J-45 and L-00 - are actually brand new instruments from the Gibson Montana Modern Collection.
Want to know more?
Contents
Gibson Special
Gibson guitars are all made in the USA, and this new trio are no different. They make up the Gibson Special range and are made - as with all Gibson acoustics - up in beautiful Bozeman, Montana. This is classic, Gibson hand-building but with a slight refresh to the design and a price point that’s very attractive indeed.
Now, you already know about Hummingbirds and J-45s - of course you do, they are some of the most famous acoustic guitars in the world - so what’s so different about these models?
Concert Depth Bodies
The most significant change up here is in the depth of the bodies. These are a little less deep; a tiny bit thinner than regular Gibson acoustics (apart from the L-00, which always was a slightly shallower build), and the idea here is not only to make them more economical, but also easier to handle, more comfortable to sit with, and to offer a different sound.
This is the main thing: these reimagined classics from Gibson now have a leaner, tighter, less bass-driven sound. It’s another tonal colour for the palette, and its a sound that will drop straight into a mix at the studio, so engineers and recording artists will love them!
Satin Nitrocellulose Finishes
Each guitar is available in two finishes: wine red and a burst (Vintage Sunburst for the J-45 and the L-00, Cherry Sunburst for the Hummingbird). As with all Gibson guitars, these are nitrocellulose finishes, but unlike many guitars, these have a satin patina instead of full gloss. This gives them an entirely different presence, look and vibe within the Gibson family of instruments. It also means that each guitar will resonate, age and season differently to comparable models, lending them their own legitimate look and voice.
Let’s now take a brief look at each model in turn…
Gibson Hummingbird Special
For many, the Gibson Hummingbird is their dream acoustic guitar. It’s a timeless beauty, and has been seen in the arms of iconic rock, pop, country and folk stars for over 60 years.
Gibson offer a few distinct variations on the Hummingbird, and this is not only perhaps the most unique, but definitely the most affordable.
Handmade in Bozeman, Montana, the Gibson Hummingbird Special features that new concert depth body I mentioned, made from mahogany with a Sitka spruce top. These are all-solid timbers and the top is braced traditionally with a scalloped X-pattern for a classic tone. The leaner low end and more manageable body size will actually make this Hummingbird accessible to more players, and those solid timbers will bring out plenty of classic Gibson tone.
I’m pleased to see quality appointments onboard, such as a TUSQ nut and saddle, along with a top quality LR Baggs pickup system. This guitar will be perfect for writing, recording and gigging, and with those famous split parallelogram inlays and a (simplified) Hummingbird pickguard, this is one gorgeous guitar inside and out.
Gibson J-45 Special
What is the best selling Gibson acoustic guitar ever? Yup, you guessed it: the Gibson J-45. It’s also one of the most recorded acoustic guitars in history too, and this new model seems set to join those hallowed ranks.
The Gibson J-45 Special preserves that famous ‘slope shouldered’ silhouette, and marries it to the new ‘Concert Depth Body’ like the Hummingbird Special. This famous workhorse guitar is made - as it should be - with a mahogany body and spruce top. Like the other guitars in this range, the neck is made with Utile.
What now?
Utile. No, Gibson aren’t dropping another ‘richlite’ on us: this is a proper wood, found in Central and West Africa. Utile is a dense, durable wood that is a worthy alternative to mahogany, and is readily available. Using Utile helps to bring these guitars in at a certain price, and the timber performs a very similar job to its traditional predecessor, so I feel like it’s a more than acceptable alternative.
Gibson L-00 Special
The last of today’s models is based on the oldest. The Gibson L-00 is nearly a century old, and this new Gibson L-00 Special is perhaps the closest match to its vintage counterpart, perhaps due to the fact that the body depth was already appropriately downsized.
The L-00 is arguably Gibson’s most popular small-body guitar, and is a particular favourite with fingerstyle and blues players. That smaller size and narrowed waist really focuses the notes and projects a strident voice.
Stage and Studio Ready
These new additions to Gibson’s acoustic range (they form part of the Modern Collection) are built to be a whole new entry point to USA-made Gibson acoustic guitars. Very visibly based on the classics, these are tweaked and tuned to be more available, more accessible and ready to perform.
If you love Gibson acoustic guitars but always felt like you couldn’t afford one, then now might be your time. The Gibson Specials are here.
Click to View the New Gibson Specials
