EPIPHONE INSPIRED BY GIBSON HUMMINGBIRD £749

Inspired By or rival to?

- Rob Laing

The Gibson Hummingbird is one of the iconic acoustics; it’s been found in the hands of everyone from Keef to Sheryl Crow, Lenny Kravitz and Radiohead and Dylan. With its ornate pickguard depicting flowers and, yes, a hummingbird, there’s no mistaking this for any other square-shouldered flight of fancy either. But the Gibson versions have always priced most of us out. So the news last year of a new Epiphone model with the same solid wood back and sides as the Gibson sibling was a welcome feathered friend. Now it’s here, does it sing?

First impressions are a little mixed; don’t get us wrong, this is a stunner. The dark mahogany grain of the neck, back and sides screams premium; bound in aged ivory. The top’s Aged Antique Natural caramel hues bathe in a worn gloss that looks authentically played in. The Hummingbird has history and it shows here.