Head to head
Epiphone IGC J-180 LS, Ebony vs Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Epiphone IGC J-180 LS, Ebony and Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst are closely matched overall — 69 to 69 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone IGC J-180 LS, Ebony wins on
No standout advantage.
Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better value (73 vs 67)
- Lower price ($399 vs $899)
Scorecard
| Metric | IGC J-180 LS, Ebony | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 69 |
| Build | 70 | 66 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 67 | 73 |
Full specifications
| Spec | IGC J-180 LS, Ebony | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Epiphone |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Solid Mahogany | Layered Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Solid Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Laurel | Pau Ferro |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.51" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs Bronze Piezo | Fishman Sonicore |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $899 | $399 |
| Binding | Three-ply Top, Single-ply Back and Fretboard | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Gloss |
| Body shape | J-180 | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Jumbo | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Scalloped X-bracing, Shifted for Long Scale | — |
| Bridge | Reverse Belly, Laurel | Reverse Belly Pau Ferro |
| Bridge Pins | Bone, No Dots | Ivory with Black Dot |
| Case | Hardshell Case with Inspired by Gibson Custom 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 |
| Finish | Nickel | Nickel |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Star | Pearloid Dot |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock | Gibson Open Book; Inspired by Gibson Custom Double Diamond Logo Etched on Headstock Rear | Epiphone Sloped Dovewing |
| Headstock Inlay | Epiphone Logo and Star in Mother of Pearl | Historic Epiphone Logo in Gold Silkscreen |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail | Tapered Dovetail; Glued-In |
| Model | ECJ180LSEBNH1 | EE2SVSNH3 |
| Nut | Bone | Ivory U-Rite |
| Nut width | 43.79mm / 1.72in | 43.0mm / 1.69in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin | 1/4" with 9-volt Battery Compartment |
| Pickguard | None | Epiphone with Raised E Logo |
| Preamp | LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC | Fishman Presys II |
| Profile | C | Rounded C |
| Saddle Material | Bone, Compensated | Compensated Bone |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 648.0mm / 25.51in |
| Strap Buttons | 1 - Side of Heel (Plus Endpin Jack) | 2 |
| 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 | 2-way Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply, 3-hole Bell | 2-ply Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Epiphone Deluxe with Keystone Buttons | Epiphone Premium Die Cast with Kidney Bean Metal Buttons |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs Bronze Piezo | Fishman Sonicore |
| Back | — | Layered Mahogany |
| Side | — | Layered Mahogany |