Head to head
Epiphone J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss vs Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
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
| Metric | J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 72 | 74 |
| Build | 70 | 91 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 75 | 63 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Laurel | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.72" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | Fishman Sonicore | LR Baggs VTC |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $799 | $3,199 |
| Back | Solid Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Binding | Top - 4-ply Ivory and Black; Back - 1-ply Ivory | Multi-ply top, single-ply back |
| Body Finish | Aged Gloss | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-45 | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Quarter Sawn Spruce | Traditional hand scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | Reverse Belly, Laurel | Traditional belly up |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory | Tusq |
| Case | Optional | Hardshell Case |
| Controls | Fishman Presys II with Volume, Bass and Treble controls, Phase Switch, and a built-in tuner with LED display | Volume and Tone Controls |
| Finish | Nickel | Nickel |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Dots | Mother-of-pearl dots |
| Fretboard radius | 305.0mm / 12.01in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock | 60s Kalamazoo with Silkscreen Epiphone Modern Script Logo in Gold | — |
| Joint | Tapered Dovetail | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body |
| Model | IGMTJ45CAVSNH1 | OCRS4550VS |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 43.81mm / 1.72in |
| Output Jack | End pin Jack | — |
| Pickguard | Tortoise Shell Tear Drop, Epoxy Style | 50's, Tortoise |
| Preamp | Fishman Presys II | — |
| Profile | Rounded C | Rounded |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 628.0mm / 24.72in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Solid Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - end pin jack and back of heel | — |
| String gauges | Gibson Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings .012, .016, .024w, .032, .042, .053 | 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012 |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Bell | Black |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | 3 on a plate: Ivory buttons, press in bushings | Grover Strap Cream Button |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman Sonicore | LR Baggs VTC |
| Accessories | — | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit |
More J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss comparisons
- J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss vs SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst
- J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss vs 1960 Hummingbird Reissue, Heavy Aged, Washed Cherry Sunburst
- J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss vs J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst
- J-45 EC, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss vs J-200, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss

