Head to head
Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst vs Harley Benton CLA-15MCE
The verdict
The Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst and Harley Benton CLA-15MCE are closely matched overall — 69 to 70 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 playability (72 vs 64)
Harley Benton CLA-15MCE wins on
- Better value (79 vs 73)
- Lower price ($271 vs $399)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | CLA-15MCE |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 70 |
| Build | 66 | 70 |
| Playability | 72 | 64 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 73 | 79 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | CLA-15MCE |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Harley Benton |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Layered Mahogany | Okoume |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Okoume |
| Fretboard | Pau Ferro | Pau Ferro |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.51" | 25.31" |
| Pickups | Fishman Sonicore | Fishman Presys-II preamp system with built-in tuner |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $399 | $271 |
| Back | Layered Mahogany | — |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard | — |
| Body Finish | Gloss | — |
| Body shape | J-45 | — |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | — |
| Bridge | Reverse Belly Pau Ferro | Pau Ferro |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory with Black Dot | — |
| Case | Optional | — |
| Controls | Fishman Presys II with Volume, Bass and Treble controls, a Phase switch, and a built-in tuner with LED display | — |
| Finish | Nickel | Natural, matte |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Dot | — |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | — |
| Fret Count | 20 | — |
| Headstock | Epiphone Sloped Dovewing | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Historic Epiphone Logo in Gold Silkscreen | — |
| Joint | Tapered Dovetail; Glued-In | — |
| Model | EE2SVSNH3 | — |
| Nut | Ivory U-Rite | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 43 mm |
| Output Jack | 1/4" with 9-volt Battery Compartment | — |
| Pickguard | Epiphone with Raised E Logo | — |
| Preamp | Fishman Presys II | — |
| Profile | Rounded C | — |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Bone | — |
| Scale length | 648.0mm / 25.51in | 643 mm |
| Side | Layered Mahogany | — |
| Strap Buttons | 2 | — |
| String gauges | .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 | D'Addarío XTAPB Light .012 - .053 (Art. #471307#) |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid okoume |
| Truss rod | 2-way Adjustable | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Bell | — |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | — |
| Tuners | Epiphone Premium Die Cast with Kidney Bean Metal Buttons | — |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman Sonicore | — |
| Neck profile | — | Modified Oval C |
| Style | — | Auditorium 000-14 with cutaway |
| Suitable Case | — | Art. #208576# (not included) |