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Epiphone IGC Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood Reissue, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst

Epiphone IGC Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood Reissue, Vintage Sunburst
Acoustic$1,499
No ratings yet
69Overall / 100
Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst
Acoustic$1,999
No ratings yet
80Overall / 100

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 Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood Reissue, 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

Estimated scores
MetricIGC Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood Reissue, Vintage SunburstJ-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst
Overall6980
Build7096
Playability7275
Sound6868
Value6777

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecIGC Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood Reissue, Vintage SunburstJ-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years——
Country—US
Body woodSolid RosewoodSolid Mahogany
Neck wood2-piece Maple with Rosewood StringerUtile
FretboardEbonyRosewood
Strings66
Frets2020
Scale25.5"24.75"
PickupsLR Baggs VTCLR Baggs Element Bronze
Rating——
Price$1,499$1,999
BackSolid RosewoodSolid Mahogany
BindingMulti-ply Top, Back, and Headstock, Single-ply FretboardSingle-ply Cream, Top and Back
Body FinishVintage GlossSatin Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeSJ-200J-45
Body StylesJumboRound Shoulder
BracingTraditional Scalloped X-Brace; Quarter Sawn Solid SpruceTraditional Scalloped X-bracing
BridgeEbony SJ-200 Open Two Bar Moustache with Mother of Pearl InlaysTraditional Belly Up; Rosewood
Bridge PinsBoneTUSQ
CaseRed Line-inspired Hardshell with Inspired by Gibson Custom GraphicsPremium Soft Shell
ControlsSoundhole Mounted Volume and ToneSoundhole Mounted Volume
Fretboard inlayMother of Pearl Graduated CrownMother-of-Pearl Dot
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2020
HeadstockGibson Open Book with Stinger and Inspired by Gibson Custom Logo on Rear—
Headstock InlayVintage Epiphone Logo and Gibson Crown in Aged Mother of PearlGibson Logo in Gold Silkscreen
JointGlued In, Set Neck; Dovetail JointCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue
ModelECPW200VSGH1MCRS45SPCVS
NutBoneTUSQ
Nut width44.2mm / 1.74in43.82mm / 1.73in
Output Jack1/4" Endpin1/4" Endpin
PickguardSJ-200 with Vintage-style GraphicsTeardrop; Tortoise
PreampLR Baggs VTCLR Baggs Element Bronze
ProfileRounded DSlimTaper
Saddle MaterialCompensated BoneTUSQ
Scale length647.7mm / 25.5in628.65mm / 24.75in
SideSolid RosewoodSolid Mahogany
Strap ButtonsEndpin Jack—
String gauges.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
Top woodThermally Aged Solid SpruceSolid Sitka Spruce
Truss rodDual ActionAdjustable
Truss Rod Cover2-ply Black, Wide White2-ply Black
Tuner PlatingGoldNickel
TunersGrover ImperialGrover Rotomatic
Under Saddle PickupLR Baggs VTCLR Baggs Element Bronze

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