Head to head
Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony
The verdict
The Gibson Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony comes out ahead overall — 75 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 64)
- Lower price ($399 vs $4,499)
Gibson Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony wins on
- Better build (91 vs 66)
- Better playability (78 vs 72)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 75 |
| Build | 66 | 91 |
| Playability | 72 | 78 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 73 | 64 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Layered Mahogany | Walnut |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Pau Ferro | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 24 |
| Scale | 25.51" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | Fishman Sonicore | LR Baggs VTC |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $399 | $4,499 |
| Back | Layered Mahogany | Walnut |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard | Single-ply Top and Back |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-45 | Songwriter |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Square Shoulder |
| Bridge | Reverse Belly Pau Ferro | Traditional Belly Up, Ebony |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory with Black Dot | TUSQ |
| Case | Optional | Custom Hardshell Case |
| 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 | — |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Dot | Mother of Pearl Teeth |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 406.4mm / 16.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 24 |
| Headstock | Epiphone Sloped Dovewing | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Historic Epiphone Logo in Gold Silkscreen | Gibson Logo and Vic Rattlehead in Mother of Pearl |
| Joint | Tapered Dovetail; Glued-In | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | EE2SVSNH3 | AMSSDMEB |
| Nut | Ivory U-Rite | TUSQ |
| 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 | Black Modified Songwriter with Vic Rattlehead Artwork |
| Preamp | Fishman Presys II | LR Baggs VTC |
| Profile | Rounded C | Advanced Response |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Bone | TUSQ |
| Scale length | 648.0mm / 25.51in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Layered Mahogany | Walnut |
| Strap Buttons | 2 | — |
| String gauges | .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | 2-way Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Bell | 2-ply Black/White with Dave Mustaine Signature |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Epiphone Premium Die Cast with Kidney Bean Metal Buttons | Grover Rotomatic |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman Sonicore | LR Baggs VTC |
| Bracing | — | Traditional Hand Scalloped Advanced X-bracing |