Head to head
Epiphone J-200 Studio EC, Black vs Epiphone J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss
The verdict
The Epiphone J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss comes out ahead overall — 72 to 69 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone J-200 Studio EC, Black wins on
- Lower price ($549 vs $799)
Epiphone J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | J-200 Studio EC, Black | J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 72 |
| Build | 66 | 70 |
| Playability | 72 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 73 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-200 Studio EC, Black | J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Epiphone |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Select Maple | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Hard Maple | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Pau Ferro | Laurel |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.72" |
| Pickups | Fishman Sonicore | Fishman Sonicore |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $549 | $799 |
| Back | Select Maple | Solid Mahogany |
| Binding | Headstock = 1-layer | Top - 4-ply Ivory and Black; Back - 1-ply Ivory |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Aged Gloss |
| Body shape | J-200 | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Super Jumbo | Round Shoulder |
| Bridge | Pau Ferro; Classic Moustache shape | Reverse Belly, Laurel |
| Controls | Fishman® Presys™ with Volume control, Phase and Contour switches, and a built-in tuner with LED display | Fishman Presys II with Volume, Bass and Treble controls, Phase Switch, and a built-in tuner with LED display |
| Finish | Gold | Nickel |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Crown inlays | Mother of Pearl Dots |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 305.0mm / 12.01in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock | 60s Kalamazoo | 60s Kalamazoo with Silkscreen Epiphone Modern Script Logo in Gold |
| Headstock Inlay | Modern Epiphone script logo in Mother of Pearl, Gibson™ Crown inlay in Mother of Pearl | — |
| Joint | Glued-In, Set Neck | Tapered Dovetail |
| Model | EEJ2BKGH1 | IGMTJ45CAVSNH1 |
| Nut | PVC | Bone |
| Nut width | 42.67mm / 1.68in | 43.0mm / 1.69in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" | End pin Jack |
| Pickguard | Imitation Tortoise with Iconic J-200™ Graphics | Tortoise Shell Tear Drop, Epoxy Style |
| Preamp | Fishman Presys | Fishman Presys II |
| Profile | 60s SlimTaper D | Rounded C |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 628.0mm / 24.72in |
| String gauges | .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 | Gibson Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings .012, .016, .024w, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Solid Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | 2-way; Adjustable | Dual Action |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-Layer; (B/W); With EJ in Silkprint | 2-ply Bell |
| Tuners | Grover® Rotomatic®; 18:1 ratio | 3 on a plate: Ivory buttons, press in bushings |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman Sonicore | Fishman Sonicore |
| Bracing | — | Quarter Sawn Spruce |
| Bridge Pins | — | Ivory |
| Case | — | Optional |
| Saddle Material | — | Bone |
| Side | — | Solid Mahogany |
| Strap Buttons | — | 2 - end pin jack and back of heel |
| Tuner Plating | — | Nickel |