Head to head
Epiphone IGC 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 80 to 70 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone IGC 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Lower price ($1,299 vs $1,999)
Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 70)
- Better value (77 vs 68)
Scorecard
| Metric | IGC 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Vintage Sunburst | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 70 | 80 |
| Build | 70 | 96 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 68 | 77 |
Full specifications
| Spec | IGC 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Vintage Sunburst | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Solid Mahogany | Solid Mahogany |
| Neck wood | One Piece Mahogany | Utile |
| Fretboard | Indian Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 19 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,299 | $1,999 |
| Accessories | Leather Strap Adapter | — |
| Back | Solid Mahogany | Solid Mahogany |
| Binding | Single-ply Ivory, Top and Back | Single-ply Cream, Top and Back |
| Body Finish | Vintage Gloss | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-45 | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Scalloped X-Bracing | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | Rosewood Rectangle, Closed Slot | Traditional Belly Up; Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | Bone | TUSQ |
| Case | Red Line-inspired Hardshell with Inspired by Gibson Custom Graphics | Premium Soft Shell |
| Controls | Soundhole Mounted Volume and Tone | Soundhole Mounted Volume |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother-of-Pearl Dot | Mother-of-Pearl Dot |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 19 | 20 |
| Headstock | Gibson Open Book with Inspired by Gibson Custom Logo on Rear | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Gold Silkscreen Epiphone Logo and Banner Art with Epiphone Inspired by Gibson | Gibson Logo in Gold Silkscreen |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | ECJ45RVSNNH1 | MCRS45SPCVS |
| Nut | Bone | TUSQ |
| Nut width | 44.0mm / 1.73in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin | 1/4" Endpin |
| Pickguard | Tear Drop; Tortoise Shell | Teardrop; Tortoise |
| Preamp | LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Profile | V | SlimTaper |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Bone | TUSQ |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Solid Mahogany | Solid Mahogany |
| Strap Buttons | Endpin Jack | — |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Thermally Aged Solid Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | Single Ply 3-Hole Black Bell | 2-ply Black |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Open Back Three-on-a-Plate; Cream Button | Grover Rotomatic |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
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