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.

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 dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_22 dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_23 dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_24 dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_25 dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_27 dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_29 dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_30 dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_31 dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_32 dogwoodguitars_gibsonrepair_33
[Show picture list]

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...]

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...]

Mastery of Craft

As a high end artisan woodworker of over 30 years, Greg's passion for excellence is a hallmark of his instruments. Every Dogwood guitar reflects this dedication to fine craftsmanship. All the skills required to make exceptional high end guitars- … [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: 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...]

Guitar Build Class: Tom S.

"I recently completed a rewarding two week twelve day deep dive into guitar building. The course was taught by Greg Maxwell of Dogwood Guitars in Mt. Vernon Ohio. “Course” is inadequate to describe this skill and technique refining experience.  … [Read More...]

Copyright © 2026 Dogwood Guitars