Head to head
Epiphone FT-100CE, 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 67 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone FT-100CE, Natural wins on
- Better value (76 vs 63)
- Lower price ($239 vs $3,199)
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (91 vs 61)
Scorecard
| Metric | FT-100CE, Natural | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 67 | 74 |
| Build | 61 | 91 |
| Playability | 72 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 76 | 63 |
Full specifications
| Spec | FT-100CE, Natural | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Layered Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Laurel | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | Passive Piezo Under Saddle | LR Baggs VTC |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $239 | $3,199 |
| Back | Layered Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Binding | Single-ply, Top and Back | Multi-ply top, single-ply back |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | FT-100 | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Square Shoulder,Songwriter | Round Shoulder |
| Bridge | Belly Down; Laurel | Traditional belly up |
| Bridge Pins | Black PVC | Tusq |
| Case | Optional | Hardshell Case |
| Finish | Nickel | Nickel |
| Fretboard inlay | Dot | Mother-of-pearl dots |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock | 60s Sloped Dovewing | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Epiphone Historic Logo in Gold Silkscreen | — |
| Joint | Dovetail; Glued-in | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body |
| Model | EEFTNACH1 | OCRS4550VS |
| Nut | PVC | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 43.81mm / 1.72in |
| Output Jack | Standard 1/4" Output Jack | — |
| Pickguard | Black Teardrop with Printed E Logo | 50's, Tortoise |
| Preamp | None | — |
| Profile | SlimTaper C | Rounded |
| Saddle Material | Imitation Bone; Compensated | Bone |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Layered Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - Bottom and Heel Cap | — |
| String gauges | .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 | 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012 |
| Top wood | Layered Spruce | Sitka Spruce |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Bell | Black |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Stamped, Covered | Grover Strap Cream Button |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Passive Piezo Under Saddle | LR Baggs VTC |
| Accessories | — | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit |
| Bracing | — | Traditional hand scalloped X-bracing |
| Controls | — | Volume and Tone Controls |