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Head to head

Epiphone Songmaker DR-100, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst

Epiphone Songmaker DR-100, Vintage Sunburst
Acoustic$169
No ratings yet
63Overall / 100
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
Acoustic$3,199
No ratings yet
74Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 74 to 63 on our estimated score.

Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.

Epiphone Songmaker DR-100, Vintage Sunburst wins on
  • Better value (73 vs 63)
  • Lower price ($169 vs $3,199)
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
  • Better build (91 vs 58)
  • Better playability (75 vs 64)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricSongmaker DR-100, Vintage SunburstJ-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
Overall6374
Build5891
Playability6475
Sound6060
Value7363

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecSongmaker DR-100, Vintage SunburstJ-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years——
Country—US
Body woodMahoganyMahogany
Neck woodMahoganyMahogany
Fretboard—Rosewood
Strings66
Frets2020
Scale25.5"24.75"
Pickups—LR Baggs VTC
Rating——
Price$169$3,199
Body FinishGlossGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeDR-100J-45
Body StylesSquare Shoulder,SongwriterRound Shoulder
CaseOptional Acoustic AJ/Dreadnought Hard Case 940-EDREAD; Dread/AJ Acoustic EpiLite™ Case 940-EDREADHGHardshell Case
Fretboard inlayDotMother-of-pearl dots
Fret Count2020
HeadstockEpiphone Sloped Dovewing—
JointDovetail; Glued-inCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body
ModelEA10VSCH1OCRS4550VS
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in43.81mm / 1.72in
Pickguard1-Ply; Black PVC50's, Tortoise
ProfileSlimTaper CRounded
Scale length647.7mm / 25.5in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap Buttons2 - bottom and Side of heel—
String gauges.013, .017, .026, .035, .045, .0560.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012
Top woodSelect SpruceSitka Spruce
Truss rod2-way Adjustable—
TunersPremium Die CastGrover Strap Cream Button
Accessories—Includes Gibson Accessory Kit
Back—Mahogany
Binding—Multi-ply top, single-ply back
Bracing—Traditional hand scalloped X-bracing
Bridge—Traditional belly up
Bridge Pins—Tusq
Controls—Volume and Tone Controls
Finish—Nickel
Fretboard radius—304.8mm / 12.0in
Nut—Bone
Saddle Material—Bone
Side—Mahogany
Truss Rod Cover—Black
Tuner Plating—Nickel
Under Saddle Pickup—LR Baggs VTC

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