Head to head
Epiphone J-200, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss vs Gibson Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony
The verdict
The Gibson Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony comes out ahead overall — 74 to 69 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone J-200, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss wins on
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Lower price ($999 vs $7,499)
Gibson Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony wins on
- Better build (91 vs 70)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-200, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss | Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 74 |
| Build | 70 | 91 |
| Playability | 72 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 67 | 63 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-200, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss | Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Solid Figured Maple | Maple |
| Neck wood | Two-piece maple / mahogany center strip | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Laurel | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.55" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | Fishman® Presys VT™ | LR Baggs M1 Soundhole Pickup |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $999 | $7,499 |
| Back | Solid Figured Maple with center strip | Maple |
| Binding | 6-ply Top and 4-ply Back | — |
| Body Finish | Aged Gloss | Nitrocellulose VOS |
| Body shape | J-200 | J-180 |
| Body Styles | Super Jumbo | Jumbo |
| Bracing | Quarter Sawn Spruce | Traditional Hand Scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | J-200 Moustache™ | Belly Up Adjustable, Pinless |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory | None |
| Case | Optional | Cat Stevens Case Included |
| Controls | Fishman Presys VT Soundhole mounted Volume and Tone | Volume Control on the Pickup |
| End Of Board Width | 57.35mm / 2.26in | — |
| Finish | Gold | — |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Graduated Crowns | Graduated Mother of Pearl Stars |
| Fretboard radius | 305.0mm / 12.01in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock | 60s Kalamazoo with 1-ply binding | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Modern Epiphone in Mother of Pearl, Mother of Pearl Gibson Crown inlay | — |
| Joint | Tapered Dovetail | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | IGMTJ200AVSGH1 | AMJBCSEB |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | Endpin Jack | 1/4" Endpin Jack |
| Pickguard | J-200 Style Tortoise Shell with 2 Color Graphics | Tortoise J-180 Double Moustache |
| Preamp | Fishman Sonitone | LR Baggs M1 |
| Profile | 60s SlimTaper D | 60s Custom |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Black TUSQ, Adjustable |
| Scale length | 649.0mm / 25.55in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Solid Figured Maple | Maple |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - bottom and side of heel | — |
| String gauges | Gibson Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings .012, .016, .024w, .032, .042, .053 | — |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Thermally Aged Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Bell | Cat Stevens; Extra Black and White TRC Included in the Case |
| Tuner Plating | Gold | Nickel |
| Tuners | Epiphone Deluxe with Keystone buttons and press in bushings | Keystone Waffleback |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman® Presys VT™ | LR Baggs M1 Soundhole Pickup |
| Accessories | — | Certificate of Authenticity and a selection of patches, pins, and stickers inspired by the iconic artwork of Cat Stevens |
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