Head to head
Epiphone IGC 1942 Banner J-45, Vintage Sunburst vs Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Epiphone IGC 1942 Banner J-45, Vintage Sunburst and Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst are closely matched overall — 70 to 69 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone IGC 1942 Banner J-45, Vintage Sunburst wins on
No standout advantage.
Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better value (73 vs 68)
- Lower price ($399 vs $1,299)
Scorecard
| Metric | IGC 1942 Banner J-45, Vintage Sunburst | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 70 | 69 |
| Build | 70 | 66 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 68 | 73 |
Full specifications
| Spec | IGC 1942 Banner J-45, Vintage Sunburst | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Epiphone |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Solid Mahogany | Layered Mahogany |
| Neck wood | One Piece Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Laurel | Pau Ferro |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 19 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | L.R. Baggs Bronze Piezo | Fishman Sonicore |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,299 | $399 |
| Back | Solid Mahogany | Layered Mahogany |
| Binding | Single-ply, Top and Back | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard |
| Body Finish | Polyurethane VOS | Gloss |
| Body shape | J-45 | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Scalloped X-bracing | — |
| Bridge | Laurel Rectangle | Reverse Belly Pau Ferro |
| Bridge Pins | Bone | Ivory with Black Dot |
| Case | Hardshell with Inspired by Gibson Logo | Optional |
| Controls | Soundhole Mounted Volume and Tone | Fishman Presys II with Volume, Bass and Treble controls, a Phase switch, and a built-in tuner with LED display |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Dot | Pearloid Dot |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 19 | 20 |
| Headstock | Gibson Open Book Shaped with Inspired by Gibson Custom Double Diamond Logo Etched on Back | Epiphone Sloped Dovewing |
| Headstock Inlay | Vintage Epiphone Logo and Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Banner in Gold Silkscreen | Historic Epiphone Logo in Gold Silkscreen |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail | Tapered Dovetail; Glued-In |
| Model | ECJ4542VSVNH1 | EE2SVSNH3 |
| Nut | Bone | Ivory U-Rite |
| Nut width | 44.0mm / 1.73in | 43.0mm / 1.69in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin | 1/4" with 9-volt Battery Compartment |
| Pickguard | Tortoise Tear Drop | Epiphone with Raised E Logo |
| Preamp | L.R. Baggs Element Bronze VTC | Fishman Presys II |
| Profile | V | Rounded C |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Bone | Compensated Bone |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 648.0mm / 25.51in |
| Side | Solid Mahogany | Layered Mahogany |
| Strap Buttons | Endpin Jack | 2 |
| 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 | 2-way Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | Single-ply, 3-hole Bell | 2-ply Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | 3 on a Plate, Open Back with Cream Buttons | Epiphone Premium Die Cast with Kidney Bean Metal Buttons |
| Under Saddle Pickup | L.R. Baggs Bronze Piezo | Fishman Sonicore |
| Finish | — | Nickel |
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