Head to head
Epiphone Songmaker DR-212, Natural vs Gibson SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst
The verdict
The Gibson SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst comes out ahead overall — 73 to 64 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone Songmaker DR-212, Natural wins on
- Better value (74 vs 62)
- Lower price ($289 vs $5,699)
Gibson SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst wins on
- Better build (91 vs 61)
- Better playability (72 vs 64)
Scorecard
| Metric | Songmaker DR-212, Natural | SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 64 | 73 |
| Build | 61 | 91 |
| Playability | 64 | 72 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 74 | 62 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Songmaker DR-212, Natural | SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Maple |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | 2-piece Maple |
| Fretboard | — | Indian Rosewood |
| Strings | 12 | 6 |
| Frets | — | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | — | LR Baggs Anthem |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $289 | $5,699 |
| Back | Mahogany | AAA Flame Maple |
| Body shape | DR-212 | SJ-200 |
| Body Styles | Square Shoulder,Songwriter | Super Jumbo |
| Bridge | Pau Ferro | Two bar SJ-200 Moustache; Rosewood |
| Case | Optional Acoustic AJ/Dreadnought Hard Case 940-EDREAD | Gibson Hardshell |
| Finish | Nickel | Gold |
| Headstock | Epiphone Clipped Ear (12-string) | — |
| Joint | Dovetail; Glued-in | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | EA2TNACH1 | MCJB20TB |
| Nut | PVC | TUSQ |
| Nut width | 48.5mm / 1.91in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Pickguard | Imitation Tortoise with foil E | SJ-200 Cream Flower with Border and Dots |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | Mahogany | AAA Flame Maple |
| Strap Buttons | 2 - bottom and side of heel | Gold |
| String gauges | Plain Steel .010/.10, .014/.014, Phosphor Bronze Wound .023/.008(p), .030/.012(p), .039/.018(p), .047/.027(w) | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Select Spruce | AAA Sitka Spruce |
| Truss Rod Cover | Bell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White); with DR-212 in white | 2-ply Bell, Black and White |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Gold |
| Tuners | Epiphone Deluxe | Grover Rotomatic |
| Binding | — | 5-ply Top, 3-ply Back |
| Body Finish | — | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Bracing | — | Traditional Hand-Scalloped X-Bracing |
| Bridge Pins | — | TUSQ |
| Controls | — | Soundhole Mounted Volume, Mix Control (mixes between internal mic and under-saddle piezo pickup), Phase Inversion Switch, Battery Check, Mic Level Control |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Mother of Pearl Graduated Crowns |
| Fretboard radius | — | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | — | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Mother of Pearl Gibson Logo and Crown |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Endpin Jack |
| Preamp | — | LR Baggs Anthem |
| Profile | — | Rounded |
| Saddle Material | — | TUSQ |
| Truss rod | — | Adjustable |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | LR Baggs Anthem |