Head to head
Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst vs Epiphone Songmaker DR-212, Natural
The verdict
The Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 69 to 64 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 playability (72 vs 64)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
Epiphone Songmaker DR-212, Natural wins on
- Lower price ($289 vs $399)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | Songmaker DR-212, Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 64 |
| Build | 66 | 61 |
| Playability | 72 | 64 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 73 | 74 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | Songmaker DR-212, Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Epiphone |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Layered Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Pau Ferro | — |
| Strings | 6 | 12 |
| Frets | 20 | — |
| Scale | 25.51" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Fishman Sonicore | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $399 | $289 |
| Back | Layered Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard | — |
| Body Finish | Gloss | — |
| Body shape | J-45 | DR-212 |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Square Shoulder,Songwriter |
| Bridge | Reverse Belly Pau Ferro | Pau Ferro |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory with Black Dot | — |
| Case | Optional | Optional Acoustic AJ/Dreadnought Hard Case 940-EDREAD |
| 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 | — |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | — |
| Fret Count | 20 | — |
| Headstock | Epiphone Sloped Dovewing | Epiphone Clipped Ear (12-string) |
| Headstock Inlay | Historic Epiphone Logo in Gold Silkscreen | — |
| Joint | Tapered Dovetail; Glued-In | Dovetail; Glued-in |
| Model | EE2SVSNH3 | EA2TNACH1 |
| Nut | Ivory U-Rite | PVC |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 48.5mm / 1.91in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" with 9-volt Battery Compartment | — |
| Pickguard | Epiphone with Raised E Logo | Imitation Tortoise with foil E |
| Preamp | Fishman Presys II | — |
| Profile | Rounded C | — |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Bone | — |
| Scale length | 648.0mm / 25.51in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | Layered Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Strap Buttons | 2 | 2 - bottom and side of heel |
| String gauges | .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 | Plain Steel .010/.10, .014/.014, Phosphor Bronze Wound .023/.008(p), .030/.012(p), .039/.018(p), .047/.027(w) |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Select Spruce |
| Truss rod | 2-way Adjustable | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Bell | Bell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White); with DR-212 in white |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Epiphone Premium Die Cast with Kidney Bean Metal Buttons | Epiphone Deluxe |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman Sonicore | — |