Head to head
Epiphone El Niño Travel Acoustic, Natural vs Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 69 to 64 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone El Niño Travel Acoustic, Natural wins on
- Lower price ($179 vs $399)
Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (66 vs 61)
- Better playability (72 vs 64)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
Scorecard
| Metric | El Niño Travel Acoustic, Natural | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 64 | 69 |
| Build | 61 | 66 |
| Playability | 64 | 72 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 74 | 73 |
Full specifications
| Spec | El Niño Travel Acoustic, Natural | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Epiphone |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Layered Agathis | Layered Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Granadillo | Pau Ferro |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 22.68" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | — | Fishman Sonicore |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $179 | $399 |
| Back | Layered Agathis | Layered Mahogany |
| Body Finish | Satin Open Grain | Gloss |
| Body shape | J-45 | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Small Body | Round Shoulder |
| Bridge | Reverse belly Granadillo | Reverse Belly Pau Ferro |
| Case | Gig bag included | Optional |
| Finish | Nickel | Nickel |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock | Small Sloped Dovewing | Epiphone Sloped Dovewing |
| Joint | Dowel | Tapered Dovetail; Glued-In |
| Model | EANNANNH1 | EE2SVSNH3 |
| Nut | PVC | Ivory U-Rite |
| Profile | C | Rounded C |
| Saddle Material | Compensated | Compensated Bone |
| Scale length | 576.0mm / 22.68in | 648.0mm / 25.51in |
| Side | Layered Agathis | Layered Mahogany |
| String gauges | Phosphor Bronze .013, .017, .026, .035, .045, .056 | .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 |
| Top wood | Select Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Tuners | Epiphone Covered | Epiphone Premium Die Cast with Kidney Bean Metal Buttons |
| Binding | — | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard |
| Bridge Pins | — | Ivory with Black Dot |
| Controls | — | Fishman Presys II with Volume, Bass and Treble controls, a Phase switch, and a built-in tuner with LED display |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Pearloid Dot |
| Fretboard radius | — | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Historic Epiphone Logo in Gold Silkscreen |
| Nut width | — | 43.0mm / 1.69in |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" with 9-volt Battery Compartment |
| Pickguard | — | Epiphone with Raised E Logo |
| Preamp | — | Fishman Presys II |
| Strap Buttons | — | 2 |
| Truss rod | — | 2-way Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | — | 2-ply Bell |
| Tuner Plating | — | Nickel |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | Fishman Sonicore |