Head to head
Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Antique Natural
The verdict
The Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Antique Natural comes out ahead overall — 77 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 value (73 vs 67)
- Lower price ($399 vs $4,999)
Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Antique Natural wins on
- Better build (96 vs 66)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Antique Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 77 |
| Build | 66 | 96 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 73 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Antique Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Layered Mahogany | Rosewood |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Pau Ferro | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.51" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | Fishman Sonicore | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $399 | $4,999 |
| Back | Layered Mahogany | 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 | Songwriter |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Songwriter EC |
| Bridge | Reverse Belly Pau Ferro | Belly-up, Ebony, with Mother-of-Pearl Arrow inlays |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory with Black Dot | TUSQ |
| Case | Optional | Hardshell |
| 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 | Mother of Pearl Diamond Eye |
| 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; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | EE2SVSNH3 | MCSSSCRAAN |
| 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 |
| Pickguard | Epiphone with Raised E Logo | Custom Line, Tortoise |
| Preamp | Fishman Presys II | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Profile | Rounded C | Round |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 648.0mm / 25.51in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | Layered Mahogany | Rosewood |
| Strap Buttons | 2 | Endpin Jack |
| String gauges | .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Thermally Aged Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | 2-way Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Bell | 2-ply Black Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Gold |
| Tuners | Epiphone Premium Die Cast with Kidney Bean Metal Buttons | Grover Open Back |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman Sonicore | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Bracing | — | Traditional Scalloped Wide X |