Head to head
Epiphone IGC 1963 Dove Reissue, Left-Handed, Natural 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 1963 Dove Reissue, Left-Handed, Natural wins on
- Lower price ($1,399 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 1963 Dove Reissue, Left-Handed, Natural | 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 1963 Dove Reissue, Left-Handed, Natural | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Solid Figured Maple | Solid Mahogany |
| Neck wood | One-Piece Mahogany; Thermally Aged | Utile |
| Fretboard | Indian Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,399 | $1,999 |
| Accessories | Leather Strap Adapter | — |
| Back | Solid Figured Maple | Solid Mahogany |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard | Single-ply Cream, Top and Back |
| Body Finish | Vintage Gloss | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | Dove | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Square Shoulder | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Traditional Scalloped X-Brace; Quarter-Sawn, Solid Spruce | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | Dove; Rosewood with Mother-of-Pearl Dove Inlays | 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 Split Parallelogram | Mother-of-Pearl Dot |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock | Gibson Open Book with Inspired by Gibson Custom Logo on Rear | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Epiphone Logo and Gibson Crown in Aged Mother-of-Pearl | Gibson Logo in Gold Silkscreen |
| Joint | Dovetail | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | ECDVR3NANH1L | MCRS45SPCVS |
| Nut | Bone | TUSQ |
| Nut width | 42.86mm / 1.69in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin | 1/4" Endpin |
| Pickguard | Traditional Dove; Acrylic/Celluloid Sandwich with Mother-of-Pearl Dove | Teardrop; Tortoise |
| Preamp | LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Profile | Rounded | 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, .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 | Two-Ply, Vintage Wide Black Trim, White and Black, Engraved DOVE | 2-ply Black |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Kluson Waffleback with Metal Keystone Button | Grover Rotomatic |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
More IGC 1963 Dove Reissue, Left-Handed, Natural comparisons
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