Head to head
Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst 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 $7,999)
Gibson Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (91 vs 66)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 73 |
| Build | 66 | 91 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 73 | 62 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Layered Mahogany | AAA Indian Rosewood |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | 2-piece AAA Maple with Walnut Stringer |
| Fretboard | Pau Ferro | Indian Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 12 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.51" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Fishman Sonicore | Fishman Matrix |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $399 | $7,999 |
| Back | Layered Mahogany | AAA Indian Rosewood |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard and Headstock |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-45 | SJ-200 |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Jumbo |
| Bridge | Reverse Belly Pau Ferro | SJ-200 Moustache; Solid Rosewood with Four 60s Style Agoya Inlays |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory with Black Dot | TUSQ |
| Case | Optional | 12-String Hardshell with Brian May Signature on Exterior |
| Controls | Fishman Presys II with Volume, Bass and Treble controls, a Phase switch, and a built-in tuner with LED display | Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone |
| Finish | Nickel | Gold |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Dot | Agoya 8-point Star |
| 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 in Mother of Pearl, Agoya Shell 8-point Star |
| Joint | Tapered Dovetail; Glued-In | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | EE2SVSNH3 | AMJBBMVS |
| Nut | Ivory U-Rite | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 47.63mm / 1.88in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" with 9-volt Battery Compartment | 1/4" Endpin |
| Pickguard | Epiphone with Raised E Logo | SJ-200 with Brian May Designed Planetary Artwork |
| Preamp | Fishman Presys II | Fishman Matrix |
| Profile | Rounded C | Rounded |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 648.0mm / 25.51in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | Layered Mahogany | AAA Indian Rosewood |
| Strap Buttons | 2 | Endpin Jack and Gold |
| String gauges | .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053, Octaves: .012, .016, .010, .014, .020, .030 |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | AAA Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | 2-way Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Bell | 2-ply Black; Brian May Engraved Signature |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Gold |
| Tuners | Epiphone Premium Die Cast with Kidney Bean Metal Buttons | Grover Mini Rotomatic |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman Sonicore | Fishman Matrix |
| Bracing | — | Traditional Hand Scalloped X-bracing |