Head to head
Epiphone Classical E1 (Nylon; 1.75" nut), Antique Natural vs Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 74 to 64 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone Classical E1 (Nylon; 1.75" nut), Antique Natural wins on
- Better value (74 vs 63)
- Lower price ($199 vs $3,199)
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (91 vs 62)
- Better playability (75 vs 64)
Scorecard
| Metric | Classical E1 (Nylon; 1.75" nut), Antique Natural | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 64 | 74 |
| Build | 62 | 91 |
| Playability | 64 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 74 | 63 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Classical E1 (Nylon; 1.75" nut), Antique Natural | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Select Mahogany; Reduced body depth; 4/4 size | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Laurel with PRO-Ease Lubricant | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 19 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.6" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | — | LR Baggs VTC |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $199 | $3,199 |
| Accessories | Beginner’s Guide to Guitar booklet by Craig Anderton, eMedia® on-line lessons, Humidifier | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit |
| Binding | 4-ply Ivory and Black | Multi-ply top, single-ply back |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | Classical | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Small Body | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Custom PRO-Prietary™ Bracing | Traditional hand scalloped X-bracing |
| Case | Optional Gig bag Classical 4/4-Size 940-XCGIG | Hardshell Case |
| Fret Count | 19 | 20 |
| Headstock | Slotted Headstock | — |
| Joint | Dovetail; Glued-in | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body |
| Model | EAPCANCH1 | OCRS4550VS |
| Nut | Graph Tech NuBone | Bone |
| Nut width | 44.45mm / 1.75in | 43.81mm / 1.72in |
| Profile | EZ-Profile D | Rounded |
| Saddle Material | Graph Tech NuBone | Bone |
| Scale length | 650.24mm / 25.6in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| String gauges | Epiphone Ultra-Light Classical (.028-.042) | 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012 |
| Top wood | Select Cedar | Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | — |
| Tuners | Epiphone Deluxe Classical 16:1 ratio | Grover Strap Cream Button |
| Back | — | Mahogany |
| Bridge | — | Traditional belly up |
| Bridge Pins | — | Tusq |
| Controls | — | Volume and Tone Controls |
| Finish | — | Nickel |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Mother-of-pearl dots |
| Fretboard radius | — | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Pickguard | — | 50's, Tortoise |
| Side | — | Mahogany |
| Truss Rod Cover | — | Black |
| Tuner Plating | — | Nickel |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | LR Baggs VTC |
More Classical E1 (Nylon; 1.75" nut), Antique Natural comparisons
- Classical E1 (Nylon; 1.75" nut), Antique Natural vs SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst
- Classical E1 (Nylon; 1.75" nut), Antique Natural vs 1960 Hummingbird Reissue, Heavy Aged, Washed Cherry Sunburst
- Classical E1 (Nylon; 1.75" nut), Antique Natural vs J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst
- Classical E1 (Nylon; 1.75" nut), Antique Natural vs J-200, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss