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Head to head

Epiphone J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss vs Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst

Epiphone J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss
Acoustic$799
No ratings yet
72Overall / 100
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
Acoustic$3,199
No ratings yet
74Overall / 100

The verdict

The Epiphone J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss and Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst are closely matched overall — 72 to 74 on our estimated score.

Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.

Epiphone J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss wins on
  • Better sound (68 vs 60)
  • Better value (75 vs 63)
  • Lower price ($799 vs $3,199)
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
  • Better build (91 vs 70)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJ-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst GlossJ-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
Overall7274
Build7091
Playability7575
Sound6860
Value7563

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJ-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst GlossJ-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years
CountryUS
Body woodMahoganyMahogany
Neck woodMahoganyMahogany
FretboardLaurelRosewood
Strings66
Frets2020
Scale24.72"24.75"
PickupsFishman SonicoreLR Baggs VTC
Rating
Price$799$3,199
BackSolid MahoganyMahogany
BindingTop - 4-ply Ivory and Black; Back - 1-ply IvoryMulti-ply top, single-ply back
Body FinishAged GlossGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeJ-45J-45
Body StylesRound ShoulderRound Shoulder
BracingQuarter Sawn SpruceTraditional hand scalloped X-bracing
BridgeReverse Belly, LaurelTraditional belly up
Bridge PinsIvoryTusq
CaseOptionalHardshell Case
ControlsFishman Presys II with Volume, Bass and Treble controls, Phase Switch, and a built-in tuner with LED displayVolume and Tone Controls
FinishNickelNickel
Fretboard inlayMother of Pearl DotsMother-of-pearl dots
Fretboard radius305.0mm / 12.01in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2020
Headstock60s Kalamazoo with Silkscreen Epiphone Modern Script Logo in Gold
JointTapered DovetailCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body
ModelIGMTJ45CAVSNH1OCRS4550VS
NutBoneBone
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in43.81mm / 1.72in
Output JackEnd pin Jack
PickguardTortoise Shell Tear Drop, Epoxy Style50's, Tortoise
PreampFishman Presys II
ProfileRounded CRounded
Saddle MaterialBoneBone
Scale length628.0mm / 24.72in628.65mm / 24.75in
SideSolid MahoganyMahogany
Strap Buttons2 - end pin jack and back of heel
String gaugesGibson Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings .012, .016, .024w, .032, .042, .0530.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012
Top woodSolid Sitka SpruceSitka Spruce
Truss rodDual Action
Truss Rod Cover2-ply BellBlack
Tuner PlatingNickelNickel
Tuners3 on a plate: Ivory buttons, press in bushingsGrover Strap Cream Button
Under Saddle PickupFishman SonicoreLR Baggs VTC
AccessoriesIncludes Gibson Accessory Kit

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