Gibson Montana Special Acoustic Guitars: USA Craftsmanship at an Affordable Price

The Gibson USA Montana Special Series offers a fresh take on some of the most iconic acoustic guitar shapes ever built. Handcrafted in Bozeman, Montana, these guitars carry forward a long-standing tradition of exceptional craftsmanship, consistent quality, and unmistakable Gibson tone. With a focus on value, this new range delivers professional-grade guitars that are both accessible and stage-ready.

Since the late 1980s, Gibson has been building its acoustic guitars in Bozeman, Montana. The facility is known for its meticulous attention to detail, combining traditional techniques with modern technology to produce instruments that consistently meet the expectations of working musicians and collectors alike. Each guitar is built by hand using solid tonewoods and finished in nitrocellulose lacquer, a time-honoured approach that allows the instrument to breathe and resonate naturally.

Let’s take a look at each model in the Montana Special series, what makes them unique, and the key specifications that set them apart.

Gibson J-45 Special 

The J-45 is often described as Gibson’s most famous acoustic guitar. Originally introduced in 1942, it quickly earned a reputation as a reliable and versatile instrument capable of handling any musical style. Known for its warm mids, strong low end, and excellent projection, the J-45 has become a favourite among singer-songwriters and rhythm players.

This awesome guitar continues this legacy with a few modern updates that make it more comfortable and accessible without sacrificing its tonal identity. It features a solid sitka spruce top paired with solid mahogany back and sides, delivering the classic Gibson sound that balances warmth with clarity. The body shape is the familiar round-shoulder dreadnought, but this model has a slightly reduced body depth which offers improved playing comfort and a more focused bass response.

Key specs include a 24.75 inch scale length, a 1.725 inch nut width, and a SlimTaper neck profile made from utile, a sustainable hardwood with tonal properties similar to mahogany. The rosewood fingerboard provides a smooth playing surface, and the 20 standard frets are easily accessible thanks to the rounded body shape. The guitar is finished in satin nitrocellulose and fitted with an L.R. Baggs Element Bronze pickup system for a natural and responsive plugged-in tone.

Available finishes include Vintage Sunburst and Wine Red, both offering a timeless visual appeal.

Gibson Hummingbird Special

The Hummingbird was first released in 1960 and quickly became one of Gibson’s most visually striking and tonally versatile acoustics. Known for its square-shouldered body and ornate pickguard design, the Hummingbird has been used by artists across every genre, from country legends to rock icons.

This new design preserves the charm of the original model while refining it for today’s players. This version features a slightly shallower body depth, giving it a more balanced low end and an easier fit against the body. It still uses the classic tonewood combination of a solid sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides, producing a clear and rich tone with plenty of dynamic range.

It has a 24.75 inch scale length, a 1.725 inch nut width, and a Round neck profile that makes both chords and leads feel effortless. The fingerboard is rosewood, and the bridge is also rosewood with traditional belly-up styling. The concert-depth body adds comfort without losing the Hummingbird’s signature projection and presence.

The pickguard features a simplified version of the traditional artwork, and the satin nitro finish is available in Wine Red or Vintage Cherry Sunburst. Like the rest of the Montana Special series, it comes equipped with an L.R. Baggs Element Bronze pickup system for a professional, ready-to-gig sound right out of the case.

Gibson L-00

The L-00 dates back to the 1930s and was originally designed as a compact, affordable guitar with a big voice. Its small-body design and short scale length made it ideal for blues, fingerstyle, and folk players. Over the decades, it developed a reputation for its strong midrange punch and its ability to cut through in a mix despite its size.

The L-00 Special in the Montana Series pays homage to this heritage while making a few changes to enhance comfort and tone. It features a solid sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides. The key difference in this model is its 12-fret neck joint, which moves the bridge closer to the centre of the soundboard. This small change has a significant tonal impact, increasing midrange response and giving the guitar a more vintage-style voice.

The L-00 Special has a 24.75 inch scale length, a 1.725 inch nut width, and the same SlimTaper utile neck as its larger siblings. The compact body is particularly comfortable for seated playing, and it’s a great choice for players with a lighter touch or those who want an intimate, vocal-friendly tone.

It’s finished in satin nitrocellulose and available in Wine Red or Vintage Sunburst, both of which highlight the wood grain and give the guitar a warm, vintage aesthetic. The built-in L.R. Baggs Element Bronze pickup ensures it sounds just as good amplified as it does acoustically.

Why Should You Buy A Montana Special?

Each guitar in the Gibson Montana Special series is built in the same Bozeman workshop that produces Gibson’s highest-end acoustics. The use of all-solid tonewoods, nitrocellulose finishes, and handcrafted construction ensures that these instruments live up to the Gibson name in both sound and feel.

What makes the Montana Special range truly compelling is the balance it strikes between tradition, playability, and price. These guitars offer the core tone and build quality of their more expensive Standard counterparts, but with simplified cosmetics and player-focused tweaks that bring the price down without compromising performance.

For musicians looking for an authentic Gibson experience without the full custom-shop price tag, the Montana Special Series offers an outstanding value. Whether you're drawn to the power of the J-45, the versatility of the Hummingbird, or the intimacy of the L-00, there's a model in this range that delivers classic tone with modern reliability.

If you'd like to see the Montana Special range in person, visit the Peach Guitars showroom or check out our detailed product listings online. Our team is always happy to help you find the right Gibson acoustic to match your style and sound.

As always, you can buy with confidence from Peach Guitars. From meticulously inspecting each piece of equipment, professionally setting up each guitar, tracking every package, and delivering the best after-sales customer service, our team will do our best to make you feel welcome and offer genuine, professional advice.