Head to head
Epiphone J-45 Express, Pelham Blue, Exclusive vs Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 74 to 67 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone J-45 Express, Pelham Blue, Exclusive wins on
- Better value (76 vs 63)
- Lower price ($299 vs $3,199)
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (91 vs 61)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 Express, Pelham Blue, Exclusive | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 67 | 74 |
| Build | 61 | 91 |
| Playability | 72 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 76 | 63 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 Express, Pelham Blue, Exclusive | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Layered Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Laurel | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 19 | 20 |
| Scale | 22.68" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | — | LR Baggs VTC |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $299 | $3,199 |
| Accessories | Three Guitar Picks | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit |
| Back | Layered Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Binding | 4-ply Top, Single-ply Back | Multi-ply top, single-ply back |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-45 | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Small Body | Round Shoulder |
| Bridge | Reverse Belly; Laurel | Traditional belly up |
| Bridge Pins | White Plastic with Black Dot | Tusq |
| Case | Gig Bag | Hardshell Case |
| Finish | Nickel | Nickel |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Dot | Mother-of-pearl dots |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 19 | 20 |
| Headstock | 7/8 Scale Kalamazoo | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Epiphone Logo in Silver Silkscreen | — |
| Joint | Glued In, Set Neck | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body |
| Model | ES1PPJ45PENH1 | OCRS4550VS |
| Nut | Molded White | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 43.81mm / 1.72in |
| Pickguard | Tear Drop; Tortoise | 50's, Tortoise |
| Profile | C | Rounded |
| Saddle Material | Compensated White | Bone |
| Scale length | 576.0mm / 22.68in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Layered Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - Bottom and Side of Heel | — |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012 |
| Top wood | Layered Spruce | Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | 3-ply Bell | Black |
| Tuners | Mini Die-Cast | Grover Strap Cream Button |
| Bracing | — | Traditional hand scalloped X-bracing |
| Controls | — | Volume and Tone Controls |
| Tuner Plating | — | Nickel |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | LR Baggs VTC |
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