Head to head
Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst vs Harley Benton CLD-65AE NT
The verdict
The Epiphone J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst and Harley Benton CLD-65AE NT 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
No standout advantage.
Harley Benton CLD-65AE NT wins on
- Better value (80 vs 73)
- Lower price ($206 vs $399)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | CLD-65AE NT |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 70 |
| Build | 66 | 63 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 73 | 80 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst | CLD-65AE NT |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Harley Benton |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Layered Mahogany | — |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Nato |
| Fretboard | Pau Ferro | Pau Ferro |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | — |
| Scale | 25.51" | 25.55" |
| Pickups | Fishman Sonicore | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $399 | $206 |
| 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 | — |
| 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 |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Dot | 3 mm pearloid dots and 1.5 mm side dots |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 380 mm |
| 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 | — |
| 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 | 649 mm |
| Side | Layered Mahogany | — |
| Strap Buttons | 2 | — |
| String gauges | .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 | — |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid Acacia |
| 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 | — |
| Back And Sides | — | Laminate acacia |
| Neck profile | — | C-shape |
| Open Gear Chrome Machine Heads 18 | — | 1 |
| Style | — | Dreadnought |