Head to head
Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst vs ESP D-430E NATURAL GLOSS
The verdict
The ESP D-430E NATURAL GLOSS comes out ahead overall — 82 to 69 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
No standout advantage.
ESP D-430E NATURAL GLOSS wins on
- Better build (96 vs 66)
- Better playability (78 vs 72)
- Better value (81 vs 73)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | D-430E NATURAL GLOSS |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 82 |
| Build | 66 | 96 |
| Playability | 72 | 78 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 73 | 81 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | D-430E NATURAL GLOSS |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | ESP |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | JP |
| Body wood | Layered Mahogany | Rosewood |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Pau Ferro | Roasted Jatoba |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.51" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Fishman Sonicore | Fishman Sonicore |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $399 | — |
| Back | Layered Mahogany | — |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard | — |
| Body Finish | Gloss | — |
| Body shape | J-45 | — |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | — |
| Bridge | Reverse Belly Pau Ferro | Roasted Jatoba Bridge w/ Graphtech Nubone Saddle |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory with Black Dot | — |
| Case | Optional | - |
| Controls | Fishman Presys II with Volume, Bass and Treble controls, a Phase switch, and a built-in tuner with LED display | Active |
| Finish | Nickel | Natural Gloss |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Dot | — |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 350mm |
| Fret Count | 20 | — |
| Headstock | Epiphone Sloped Dovewing | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Historic Epiphone Logo in Gold Silkscreen | — |
| Joint | Tapered Dovetail; Glued-In | — |
| Model | EE2SVSNH3 | — |
| Nut | Ivory U-Rite | Graphtech Nubone |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 43mm |
| Output Jack | 1/4" with 9-volt Battery Compartment | — |
| Pickguard | Epiphone with Raised E Logo | — |
| Preamp | Fishman Presys II | — |
| Profile | Rounded C | — |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Bone | — |
| Scale length | 648.0mm / 25.51in | 25.5" |
| Side | Layered Mahogany | — |
| Strap Buttons | 2 | — |
| String gauges | .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 | — |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | 2-way Adjustable | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Bell | — |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | — |
| Tuners | Epiphone Premium Die Cast with Kidney Bean Metal Buttons | LTD |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman Sonicore | — |
| Bridge pickup | — | Fishman Sonicore |
| Case Included | — | N |
| Construction | — | Set-Neck |
| Hardware | — | Gold |
| Neck profile | — | Thin U |
| Strap Button | — | Standard |