Head to head
Epiphone IGC J-180 LS, Frost Blue vs Gibson SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst
The verdict
The Gibson SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst comes out ahead overall — 73 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, Frost Blue wins on
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (67 vs 62)
- Lower price ($899 vs $5,699)
Gibson SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst wins on
- Better build (91 vs 70)
Scorecard
| Metric | IGC J-180 LS, Frost Blue | SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 73 |
| Build | 70 | 91 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 67 | 62 |
Full specifications
| Spec | IGC J-180 LS, Frost Blue | SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Solid Mahogany | Maple |
| Neck wood | Solid Mahogany | 2-piece Maple |
| Fretboard | Laurel | Indian Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs Bronze Piezo | LR Baggs Anthem |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $899 | $5,699 |
| Binding | Three-ply Top, Single-ply Back and Fretboard | 5-ply Top, 3-ply Back |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-180 | SJ-200 |
| Body Styles | Jumbo | Super Jumbo |
| Bracing | Scalloped X-bracing, Shifted for Long Scale | Traditional Hand-Scalloped X-Bracing |
| Bridge | Reverse Belly, Laurel | Two bar SJ-200 Moustache; Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | Bone, No Dots | TUSQ |
| Case | Hardshell Case with Inspired by Gibson Custom Logo | Gibson Hardshell |
| Controls | Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone | Soundhole Mounted Volume, Mix Control (mixes between internal mic and under-saddle piezo pickup), Phase Inversion Switch, Battery Check, Mic Level Control |
| Finish | Nickel | Gold |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Star | Mother of Pearl Graduated Crowns |
| 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 | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Epiphone Logo and Star in Mother of Pearl | Mother of Pearl Gibson Logo and Crown |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | ECJ180LSFRBNH1 | MCJB20TB |
| Nut | Bone | TUSQ |
| Nut width | 43.79mm / 1.72in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin | 1/4" Endpin Jack |
| Pickguard | None | SJ-200 Cream Flower with Border and Dots |
| Preamp | LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC | LR Baggs Anthem |
| Profile | C | Rounded |
| Saddle Material | Bone, Compensated | TUSQ |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Strap Buttons | 1 - Side of Heel (Plus Endpin Jack) | Gold |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024w, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Thermally Aged Solid Sitka Spruce | AAA Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply, 3-hole Bell | 2-ply Bell, Black and White |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Gold |
| Tuners | Epiphone Deluxe with Keystone Buttons | Grover Rotomatic |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs Bronze Piezo | LR Baggs Anthem |
| Back | — | AAA Flame Maple |
| Side | — | AAA Flame Maple |