Head to head
Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony
The verdict
The Gibson Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony comes out ahead overall — 74 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 63)
- Lower price ($399 vs $7,499)
Gibson Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony wins on
- Better build (91 vs 66)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 74 |
| Build | 66 | 91 |
| Playability | 72 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 73 | 63 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Layered Mahogany | Maple |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Pau Ferro | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.51" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | Fishman Sonicore | LR Baggs M1 Soundhole Pickup |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $399 | $7,499 |
| Back | Layered Mahogany | Maple |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard | — |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Nitrocellulose VOS |
| Body shape | J-45 | J-180 |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Jumbo |
| Bridge | Reverse Belly Pau Ferro | Belly Up Adjustable, Pinless |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory with Black Dot | None |
| Case | Optional | Cat Stevens Case Included |
| Controls | Fishman Presys II with Volume, Bass and Treble controls, a Phase switch, and a built-in tuner with LED display | Volume Control on the Pickup |
| Finish | Nickel | — |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Dot | Graduated Mother of Pearl Stars |
| 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 | — |
| Joint | Tapered Dovetail; Glued-In | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | EE2SVSNH3 | AMJBCSEB |
| Nut | Ivory U-Rite | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" with 9-volt Battery Compartment | 1/4" Endpin Jack |
| Pickguard | Epiphone with Raised E Logo | Tortoise J-180 Double Moustache |
| Preamp | Fishman Presys II | LR Baggs M1 |
| Profile | Rounded C | 60s Custom |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Bone | Black TUSQ, Adjustable |
| Scale length | 648.0mm / 25.51in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Layered Mahogany | Maple |
| Strap Buttons | 2 | — |
| String gauges | .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 | Cat Stevens; Extra Black and White TRC Included in the Case |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Epiphone Premium Die Cast with Kidney Bean Metal Buttons | Keystone Waffleback |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman Sonicore | LR Baggs M1 Soundhole Pickup |
| Accessories | — | Certificate of Authenticity and a selection of patches, pins, and stickers inspired by the iconic artwork of Cat Stevens |
| Bracing | — | Traditional Hand Scalloped X-bracing |