Gibson Acoustic Songwriter Recording Artist EC Antique Natural Modern

A Modern Dreadnought Fueled by Gibson DNA

Introduced in the late 1990s, the Songwriter family targets a large-format dreadnought capable of handling today's playing styles while retaining the character of pre-war inspired Gibsons. This Recording Artist EC version takes the concept further with a thermally treated Sitka spruce top, a scalloped "Advanced X" bracing in 1930s style, and a cutaway designed for comfort. Made in Bozeman (Montana, USA), it stands as a high-end reference oriented towards studio and stage use.

For Whom and Which Styles?

The Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist EC is aimed at intermediate to professional guitarists seeking an expressive, precise, and reliable instrument when plugged in. Ideal for modern folk, pop, country, acoustic rock, and fingerpicking, it also retains enough body for energetic strumming and dense accompaniments without sacrificing note-to-note clarity.

Sound Characteristics

The thermally treated Sitka spruce top delivers an immediate sense of maturity, with a quick response, firm lows, and silky highs. The rosewood (back and sides) provides depth, brightness, and sustain, while the scalloped "Advanced X" bracing enhances projection and dynamics, especially useful when alternating between subtle nuances and strong pick attacks. The cutaway facilitates access to the upper register for melodic phrases and arrangements while maintaining the rich resonance of a dreadnought. When plugged in, the L.R. Baggs HiFi electronics (dual sensor mounted under the bridge plate, internal preamp) prioritize a natural and balanced string-to-string output, with volume and tone controls in the rosette for quick sound adjustments on stage.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

For daily use: 6-string acoustic phosphor bronze strings, gauge 12-53, standard acoustic guitar strap (strap button mounting), humidifier for the case to stabilize humidity, and a universal clip-on tuner.

Technical specifications

Shape	Songwriter EC (square-shouldered dreadnought with cutaway)	Frets	20
Top	thermally treated Sitka spruce	Joint	compound dovetail, hot hide glue
Back and sides	rosewood	Inlays	"Diamond Eye" mother-of-pearl
Bracing	scalloped "Advanced X" (1930s style)	Bridge	ebony "belly-up" with mother-of-pearl arrow inlays
Binding	multi-ply top and back	Nut	bone
Rosette	wide abalone	Saddle	bone
Pickguard	"Custom Line" tortoiseshell	Bridge pins	TUSQ
Available finish	"Antique Natural"	Tuners	Grover open-back, gold finish
Wood	mahogany	Pickups	L.R. Baggs HiFi (dual sensor mounted under bridge plate)
Profile	Round (comfortable)	Preamp	internal, natural voicing
Scale length	25.5" / 647.7 mm	Controls	volume and tone mounted in rosette
Nut width	1.725" / 43.8 mm	Case	Gibson hardshell included
Fingerboard	ebony, bound	Made in	Bozeman, Montana (USA)