Dogwood Guitars

  • Home
  • Semi-Retirement
  • Guitar Galleries
  • Services
  • Lutherie Classes
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Pictorials / Repairs / 1975 Gibson Hummingbird Restoration

1975 Gibson Hummingbird Restoration

While meeting with a customer and his daughter about designing a guitar for her, he showed me his Gibson Hummingbird that his daughter had been playing.

Using the serial number and other identifying characteristics, I was able to date the guitar as a 1975. This confirmed the owner’s recollection that the Hummingbird was a mid-70’s instrument which he had purchased used after graduating from high school in the early 1980’s.

The guitar was in pretty rough condition, mostly due to some poorly done older repairs. The bridge was not original and had been glued on in the wrong location causing the guitar to play out of tune. The bridge plate inside the guitar was damaged and the replacement bridge was shaved too thin and had cracked. The guitar also needed a neck reset and some cracks in the top repaired. I agreed to take on these repairs and to make the guitar playable for the daughter while her Dogwood Guitar was being made. Click the thumbnail image below for a photo essay detailing the repairs made to the guitar.

[Show as slideshow]
dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_01
dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_02
dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_03

dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_04
dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_05
dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_06

dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_07
dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_08
dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_09

dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_10
dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_11
dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_12

dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_13
dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_14
dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_15

dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_16
dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_17
dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_18

dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_19
dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_20
dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_21

1 2 ►

Guitar Galleries

The guitars featured in these photo galleries are just a few examples of Greg's work. As a long-time high end furniture maker, Greg has a real passion for tools and figured wood. His guitars reflect these twin loves with their beautiful wood choices, … [Read More...]

Customer Testimonial: Mosrite

"I've owned this vintage 1960's Mosrite "Ventures" model guitar for thirty years and have finally found a luthier I can trust to work on it. Greg agreed to do the work while I waited and it was obvious from the beginning that he knew what he was … [Read More...]

Customer Testimonials: Strat and Tele Setups

"I have 2 guitars and have been playing for over 20 years.  In that time I have had my instruments set-up by several different companies, some that have been in the business for longer than I have been playing.  I can honestly say that no one has … [Read More...]

Exceptional Tonewoods

Fine wood is the heart of every Dogwood guitar. Greg has been collecting rare and highly figured wood for over three decades, and he is always on the lookout for the best sets of both top and back/side wood for his custom guitars. Exotic wood of the … [Read More...]

Customer Testimonials: Martin Fret Work

"I took my Martin D-28 to Dogwood guitars to get it worked on, It was in pretty bad shape when I bought it used. Someone had tried to install frets on their own and it was buzzing and the action was hard to play. I called Greg and he said to stop by … [Read More...]

Customer Testimonial: Les Paul Setup

"The work you did on the fretboard, frets and bridge of my Les Paul fixed the problem I was having and it plays better than ever. Dogwood Guitars has become my #1 choice for guitar repairs and I'll be sure to recommend you to my musician friends. … [Read More...]

Copyright © 2025 Dogwood Guitars