Head to head
Epiphone Slash J-45, November Burst vs Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Epiphone Slash J-45, November Burst and Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst are closely matched overall — 72 to 74 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone Slash J-45, November Burst wins on
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (75 vs 63)
- Lower price ($799 vs $3,199)
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (91 vs 70)
Scorecard
| Metric | Slash J-45, November Burst | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 72 | 74 |
| Build | 70 | 91 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 75 | 63 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Slash J-45, November Burst | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Laurel | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs VTC |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $799 | $3,199 |
| Back | Solid 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 | Round Shoulder | Round Shoulder |
| Bridge | Laurel, Reverse Belly | Traditional belly up |
| Bridge Pins | Ivory | Tusq |
| Case | Hardshell Case with Slash Skully Logo Included | Hardshell Case |
| Controls | Soundhole mounted Volume and Tone | Volume and Tone Controls |
| Finish | Nickel | Nickel |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Dots | Mother-of-pearl dots |
| Fretboard radius | 406.4mm / 16.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock | 60s Kalamazoo | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Epiphone logo in Mother of Pearl | — |
| Joint | Tapered Dovetail; Glued-In | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body |
| Model | EISLASHJ45NVNH3 | OCRS4550VS |
| Nut | Graph Tech TUSQ | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 43.81mm / 1.72in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin Jack | — |
| Pickguard | Tortoise Shell, 50s J-45 Shape | 50's, Tortoise |
| Preamp | LR Baggs VTC | — |
| Profile | Slash Custom C-Shape | Rounded |
| Saddle Material | Graph Tech TUSQ | Bone |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Solid Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - Side of Heel and Endpin Jack | — |
| String gauges | .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 | 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012 |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Bell with Slash Signature | Black |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic | Grover Strap Cream Button |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs VTC |
| Accessories | — | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit |
| Bracing | — | Traditional hand scalloped X-bracing |