Head to head
Epiphone J-45 Studio, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst
The verdict
The Gibson SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst comes out ahead overall — 73 to 69 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone J-45 Studio, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (73 vs 62)
- Lower price ($349 vs $5,699)
Gibson SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst wins on
- Better build (91 vs 66)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 Studio, Vintage Sunburst | SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 73 |
| Build | 66 | 91 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 73 | 62 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 Studio, Vintage Sunburst | SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Select Mahogany | Maple |
| Neck wood | Okoume | 2-piece Maple |
| Fretboard | Laurel | Indian Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | — | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | — | LR Baggs Anthem |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $349 | $5,699 |
| Back | Layered Mahogany | AAA Flame Maple |
| Binding | 4-ply Ivory and Black Top, Single-ply Ivory Back | 5-ply Top, 3-ply Back |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-45 | SJ-200 |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Super Jumbo |
| Bridge | Laurel | Two bar SJ-200 Moustache; Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory | TUSQ |
| Case | Optional | Gibson Hardshell |
| Controls | Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone | Soundhole Mounted Volume, Mix Control (mixes between internal mic and under-saddle piezo pickup), Phase Inversion Switch, Battery Check, Mic Level Control |
| Finish | Nickel | Gold |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Dot | Mother of Pearl Graduated Crowns |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock | 60s Kalamazoo | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Epiphone Logo in Gold Silkscreen | Mother of Pearl Gibson Logo and Crown |
| Joint | Glued-in | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | EA22VSNH3 | MCJB20TB |
| Nut | White Plastic | TUSQ |
| Nut width | 42.93mm / 1.69in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin | 1/4" Endpin Jack |
| Pickguard | Tear Drop-shaped Dark Tortoise Shell Epoxy-style | SJ-200 Cream Flower with Border and Dots |
| Preamp | Fishman Presys VT | LR Baggs Anthem |
| Profile | SlimTaper D | Rounded |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Plastic | TUSQ |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | Layered Mahogany | AAA Flame Maple |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - Side of Heel and Endpin Jack | Gold |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .025, .034, .041, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | AAA Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Black Bell, Studio | 2-ply Bell, Black and White |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Gold |
| Tuners | Premium Nickel | Grover Rotomatic |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman S-Core | LR Baggs Anthem |
| Bracing | — | Traditional Hand-Scalloped X-Bracing |