Head to head
Epiphone J-45 Studio, Vintage Sunburst vs Harley Benton CLF-50E Anth Metallic
The verdict
The Harley Benton CLF-50E Anth Metallic comes out ahead overall — 72 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
No standout advantage.
Harley Benton CLF-50E Anth Metallic wins on
- Better value (82 vs 73)
- Lower price ($217 vs $349)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 Studio, Vintage Sunburst | CLF-50E Anth Metallic |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 72 |
| Build | 66 | 66 |
| Playability | 72 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 73 | 82 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 Studio, Vintage Sunburst | CLF-50E Anth Metallic |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Harley Benton |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Select Mahogany | — |
| Neck wood | Okoume | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Laurel | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | — | — |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.8" |
| Pickups | — | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $349 | $217 |
| Back | Layered Mahogany | — |
| Binding | 4-ply Ivory and Black Top, Single-ply Ivory Back | — |
| Body Finish | Gloss | — |
| Body shape | J-45 | — |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | — |
| Bridge | Laurel | Sonokeling rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory | — |
| Case | Optional | — |
| Controls | Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone | — |
| Finish | Nickel | Natural high gloss with anthracite-coloured top |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Dot | — |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 380 mm |
| Fret Count | 20 | — |
| Headstock | 60s Kalamazoo | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Epiphone Logo in Gold Silkscreen | — |
| Joint | Glued-in | — |
| Model | EA22VSNH3 | — |
| Nut | White Plastic | — |
| Nut width | 42.93mm / 1.69in | 43 mm |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin | — |
| Pickguard | Tear Drop-shaped Dark Tortoise Shell Epoxy-style | — |
| Preamp | Fishman Presys VT | — |
| Profile | SlimTaper D | — |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Plastic | — |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 630 mm |
| Side | Layered Mahogany | — |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - Side of Heel and Endpin Jack | — |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .025, .034, .041, .053 | — |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid selected Canadian sitka spruce |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Black Bell, Studio | — |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | — |
| Tuners | Premium Nickel | — |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman S-Core | — |
| Back And Sides | — | Selected Sonokeling mahogany |
| Neck profile | — | D |
| Open Chrome Machine Heads With 18 | — | 1 gear ratio |
| Style | — | Parlor |