Head to head
Epiphone J-45 Standard EC, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson G-45, Natural
The verdict
The Gibson G-45, Natural comes out ahead overall — 75 to 70 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone J-45 Standard EC, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Lower price ($849 vs $1,199)
Gibson G-45, Natural wins on
- Better build (91 vs 70)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 Standard EC, Vintage Sunburst | G-45, Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 70 | 75 |
| Build | 70 | 91 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 68 | 72 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 Standard EC, Vintage Sunburst | G-45, Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Solid Mahogany | Walnut |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Utile |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | Fishman S-Core | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $849 | $1,199 |
| Back | Solid Mahogany | Walnut |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top, Single Ply Back | — |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-45 EC | J-45 |
| Bridge | Belly-up, Rosewood | Rectangular, Closed Slot, Striped Ebony |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory Plastic | Black |
| Case | Premium Gig Bag | Gig Bag |
| Controls | Side-mounted Volume, Bass, Treble, Phase Switch, and Tuner | — |
| Finish | Nickel | Chrome |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother-of-Pearl Dot | Acrylic Dot |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 406.4mm / 16.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock | 60s Kalamazoo | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Epiphone Logo in Mother of Pearl | — |
| Joint | Glued In, Set Neck with Tapered Dovetail Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | EIAJ4CVSNH1 | MCRSG5AN |
| Nut | Bone | TUSQ |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | Combination Battery Box and 1/4" Output Jack | — |
| Pickguard | J-45 Teardrop; Tortoise, Epoxy Style | Black |
| Preamp | Fishman PreSys II | — |
| Profile | Rounded C | Advanced Response |
| Saddle Material | Bone | TUSQ |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Solid Mahogany | Walnut |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - Endpin Jack and Back of Neck Heel | 2 |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Solid Spruce | Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Black Bell | Walnut Laminate |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Chrome |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic | Grover Mini Rotomatic |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman S-Core | — |
| Body Styles | — | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | — | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing |
More J-45 Standard EC, Vintage Sunburst comparisons
- J-45 Standard EC, Vintage Sunburst vs J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
- J-45 Standard EC, Vintage Sunburst vs SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst
- J-45 Standard EC, Vintage Sunburst vs 1960 Hummingbird Reissue, Heavy Aged, Washed Cherry Sunburst
- J-45 Standard EC, Vintage Sunburst vs J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst