New IBG Hummingbird

[xStonr]

I purchased one of the new Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Hummingbird guitars in the less popular Aged Natural finish. The construction and feel of the guitar is fantastic. I love it's playability, the feel of the neck, and it's tone. But what's bugging me is the mismatched spruce top. Should I settle on the finish or am I being too picky about it's looks since I like the way it plays.

[TheGITM]

The term for that is called 'runout' and it's not uncommon, nor is it a defect, other than some just don't like the appearance.

Here is an AGF thread about runout... <---- click

[Jeremy]

If you like how it plays and sounds I wouldn't overly concern myself with the top; it doesn't look bad to me at all.

[Wade Hampton]

Right. It’s runout, and lots of far more expensive guitars than this one have it, too. It’s not a defect.

Return the guitar if you truly can’t stand it, but if you like everything about that guitar except the appearance of the top, it would be fairly short-sighted of you. There is NO guarantee that a replacement instrument will sound and play as well as this one.

That’s just my opinion, naturally, but the bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.


Wade Hampton Miller

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

If you like how it plays and sounds I wouldn't overly concern myself with the top; it doesn't look bad to me at all.

I’d agree. I think it looks just fine, and it will probably age beautifully.

Also, you can’t see the top while you’re playing it.

[mimmo]

That guitar is perfectly fine for me, congratulations.

[Coler]

Originally Posted by xStonr

I love it's playability, the feel of the neck, and it's tone.
[/IMG]

This is the important stuff.

Originally Posted by xStonr

Should I settle on the finish or am I being too picky about it's looks since I like the way it plays.

Yep, you should not let the run out get to you, given what you say above.

Now, the only thing is, you will find that some people really don't like run out. That might affect your ability to sell the guitar in the future, or the price you will get for it from one of those people.

I personally would not let it bother me at all. Most people I know are of the same attitude.

I don't know quite why but on your IBG Hummingbird the run out looks particularly spiffy. Something about the vintage vibe of the guitar.

[Mobilemike]

Top looks fine to me. That said, if it’s going to impede your enjoyment of the guitar, you’re within your rights to return it!

[PineMarten]

It would not be uncommon to see some runout on the Gibsons it's inspired by, that's one way to look at it.

[Murphy Slaw]

I'd keep it if I liked it.

[abn556]

I haven’t had the chance yet to A/B one of the IBG acoustic against a Gibson that inspired it. Did you get to play both? I’m curious how they sounded to you in person.

If your new Hummingbird sounds good and plays good, don’t worry about the run out unless you plan to resell the guitar here later.

[FingahPickah]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

Right. It’s runout, and lots of far more expensive guitars than this one have it, too. It’s not a defect.

Return the guitar if you truly can’t stand it, but if you like everything about that guitar except the appearance of the top, it would be fairly short-sighted of you. There is NO guarantee that a replacement instrument will sound and play as well as this one.

That’s just my opinion, naturally, but the bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.


Wade Hampton Miller

I second that emotion - Smokey Robinson

[xStonr]

Originally Posted by abn556

I haven’t had the chance yet to A/B one of the IBG acoustic against a Gibson that inspired it. Did you get to play both? I’m curious how they sounded to you in person.

If your new Hummingbird sounds good and plays good, don’t worry about the run out unless you plan to resell the guitar here later.

I did get to compare both Gibson and IBG. The Gibson did not sound 2k+ better to me but YMMV.

I think I'm keeping it. It sounds so good to me that I know if I return it I will be going down the rabbit hole searching for that tone.

[BoneDigger]

Here's my IBG Hummingbird. I would say it suffers from the same issue, but until your post, I never really thought much about it. It's a great sounding guitar and the run out really doesn't bother me at all.

[xStonr]

Originally Posted by BoneDigger

Here's my IBG Hummingbird. I would say it suffers from the same issue, but until your post, I never really thought much about it. It's a great sounding guitar and the run out really doesn't bother me at all.

Our guitars definitely look related. I see you changed the p/u to a soundhole type.