Head to head
Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst vs Epiphone J-45 Express, Ebony
The verdict
The Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst and Epiphone J-45 Express, Ebony are closely matched overall — 69 to 67 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (66 vs 61)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
Epiphone J-45 Express, Ebony wins on
- Lower price ($299 vs $399)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | J-45 Express, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 67 |
| Build | 66 | 61 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 73 | 76 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | J-45 Express, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Epiphone |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Layered Mahogany | Layered Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Pau Ferro | Laurel |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 19 |
| Scale | 25.51" | 22.68" |
| Pickups | Fishman Sonicore | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $399 | $299 |
| Back | Layered Mahogany | Layered Mahogany |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard | 4-ply Top, Single-ply Back |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Gloss |
| Body shape | J-45 | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Small Body |
| Bridge | Reverse Belly Pau Ferro | Reverse Belly; Laurel |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory with Black Dot | White Plastic with Black Dot |
| Case | Optional | Gig Bag |
| Controls | Fishman Presys II with Volume, Bass and Treble controls, a Phase switch, and a built-in tuner with LED display | — |
| Finish | Nickel | Nickel |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Dot | Pearloid Dot |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 19 |
| Headstock | Epiphone Sloped Dovewing | 7/8 Scale Kalamazoo |
| Headstock Inlay | Historic Epiphone Logo in Gold Silkscreen | Epiphone Logo in Silver Silkscreen |
| Joint | Tapered Dovetail; Glued-In | Glued In, Set Neck |
| Model | EE2SVSNH3 | ES1PPJ45EBNH1 |
| Nut | Ivory U-Rite | Molded White |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 43.0mm / 1.69in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" with 9-volt Battery Compartment | — |
| Pickguard | Epiphone with Raised E Logo | Tear Drop; Tortoise |
| Preamp | Fishman Presys II | — |
| Profile | Rounded C | C |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Bone | Compensated White |
| Scale length | 648.0mm / 25.51in | 576.0mm / 22.68in |
| Side | Layered Mahogany | Layered Mahogany |
| Strap Buttons | 2 | 2 - Bottom and Side of Heel |
| String gauges | .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Layered Spruce |
| Truss rod | 2-way Adjustable | Dual Action |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Bell | 3-ply Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | — |
| Tuners | Epiphone Premium Die Cast with Kidney Bean Metal Buttons | Mini Die-Cast |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman Sonicore | — |
| Accessories | — | Three Guitar Picks |