Based on the Gibson "Square Shoulder" Hummingbird series of guitars, you know right away that the new Gibson Songwriter Special has the right DNA. To improve the breed even further, Gibson uses the vintage-style "wide-X" top bracing on this guitar for that warm, powerful, "old Gibson" sound. To bring the guitar up to the 21st Century, Gibson has refined the neck profile to make it slimmer and faster. They've also built in an L.R. Baggs pickup for those times you need to "plug in".The Songwriter Special uses all solid wood constructio. . .solid imported Honduran Mahogany for the back and sides, solid Sitka Spruce for the top. The neck is one piece Mahogany too, for added stability. The vintage-style "wide X" top bracing allows for greater top movement, and much improved projection. The bracing is scalloped by hand to keep weight down, and adding strength at the same time. This combination of tonewoods and bracing design makes for a p