Head to head
Epiphone IGC 1957 SJ-200, 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 69 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone IGC 1957 SJ-200, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Lower price ($1,499 vs $1,999)
Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 70)
- Better value (77 vs 67)
Scorecard
| Metric | IGC 1957 SJ-200, Vintage Sunburst | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 80 |
| Build | 70 | 96 |
| Playability | 72 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 67 | 77 |
Full specifications
| Spec | IGC 1957 SJ-200, Vintage Sunburst | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Solid Figured Maple | Solid Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Flame Maple with Walnut Center Stringer | Utile |
| Fretboard | Laurel | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | L.R. Baggs Bronze Piezo | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,499 | $1,999 |
| Back | Solid Figured Maple | Solid Mahogany |
| Binding | Six-ply Top, Four-ply Back, Single-ply Fretboard and Headstock | Single-ply Cream, Top and Back |
| Body Finish | Polyurethane VOS | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | SJ-200 | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Jumbo | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Scalloped X-bracing | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | Open J-200 Moustache; Laurel with 2 Mother of Pearl Bars | Traditional Belly Up; Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | Bone | TUSQ |
| Case | Hardshell with Inspired by Gibson Custom Logo | Premium Soft Shell |
| Controls | Soundhole Mounted Volume and Tone | Soundhole Mounted Volume |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Graduated Crown | Mother-of-Pearl Dot |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock | Gibson Open Book Shaped with Inspired by Gibson Custom Double Diamond Logo Etched on Back | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Epiphone Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl | Gibson Logo in Gold Silkscreen |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | ECJ2057VSVGH1 | MCRS45SPCVS |
| Nut | Bone | TUSQ |
| Nut width | 43.79mm / 1.72in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin | 1/4" Endpin |
| Pickguard | J-200 Engraved Celluloid | Teardrop; Tortoise |
| Preamp | L.R. Baggs Element Bronze VTC | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Profile | C | SlimTaper |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Bone | TUSQ |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Solid Figured Maple | Solid Mahogany |
| Strap Buttons | Endpin Jack | — |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024w, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Thermally Aged Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply, 3-hole 1957 SJ-200 | 2-ply Black |
| Tuner Plating | Gold | Nickel |
| Tuners | Epiphone Deluxe | Grover Rotomatic |
| Under Saddle Pickup | L.R. Baggs Bronze Piezo | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
More IGC 1957 SJ-200, Vintage Sunburst comparisons
- IGC 1957 SJ-200, Vintage Sunburst vs J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
- IGC 1957 SJ-200, Vintage Sunburst vs SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst
- IGC 1957 SJ-200, Vintage Sunburst vs 1960 Hummingbird Reissue, Heavy Aged, Washed Cherry Sunburst
- IGC 1957 SJ-200, Vintage Sunburst vs J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst