Head to head
Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson 1963 Dove Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural
The verdict
The Gibson 1963 Dove Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural comes out ahead overall — 73 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
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (73 vs 62)
- Lower price ($399 vs $7,899)
Gibson 1963 Dove Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural wins on
- Better build (91 vs 66)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | 1963 Dove Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 73 |
| Build | 66 | 91 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 73 | 62 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | 1963 Dove Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Layered Mahogany | Flamed Maple |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Pau Ferro | Indian Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.51" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Fishman Sonicore | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $399 | $7,899 |
| Back | Layered Mahogany | Flame Maple |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard | Multi-ply Top, Multi-ply Back, Single-ply Fretboard |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-45 | Dove |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Square Shoulder |
| Bridge | Reverse Belly Pau Ferro | Dove; Rosewood with Two Mother-of-Pearl Dove Inlays |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory with Black Dot | Bone |
| Case | Optional | Period Correct Hardshell with Black Exterior and Gold Interior |
| 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 | Mother-of-Pearl Parallelogram |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock | Epiphone Sloped Dovewing | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Historic Epiphone Logo in Gold Silkscreen | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl |
| Joint | Tapered Dovetail; Glued-In | Compound Dovetail Neck to Body Joint |
| Model | EE2SVSNH3 | CSSSDV63DNLA |
| Nut | Ivory U-Rite | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 42.85mm / 1.69in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" with 9-volt Battery Compartment | — |
| Pickguard | Epiphone with Raised E Logo | Dove with Stamped Vines and Flowers and Mother-of-Pearl Dove |
| Preamp | Fishman Presys II | — |
| Profile | Rounded C | Round |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 648.0mm / 25.51in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | Layered Mahogany | Flamed Maple |
| Strap Buttons | 2 | Cream Endpin |
| String gauges | .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Thermally Aged Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | 2-way Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Bell | Black Border, White Center with DOVE Lettering |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Epiphone Premium Die Cast with Kidney Bean Metal Buttons | Kluson Waffleback |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman Sonicore | — |
| Accessories | — | Gibson Accessory Kit, Certificate of Authenticity |
| Bracing | — | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing; Hide Glue Fit |