Head to head
Epiphone USA Chris Stapleton Frontier, Frontier Burst vs Gibson SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst
The verdict
The Gibson SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst comes out ahead overall — 73 to 63 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone USA Chris Stapleton Frontier, Frontier Burst wins on
- Lower price ($4,999 vs $5,699)
Gibson SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst wins on
- Better build (91 vs 65)
- Better value (62 vs 54)
Scorecard
| Metric | USA Chris Stapleton Frontier, Frontier Burst | SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 63 | 73 |
| Build | 65 | 91 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 54 | 62 |
Full specifications
| Spec | USA Chris Stapleton Frontier, Frontier Burst | SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | AA Figured Maple | Maple |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | 2-piece Maple |
| Fretboard | Indian Rosewood | Indian Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | L.R. Baggs VTC | LR Baggs Anthem |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $4,999 | $5,699 |
| Accessories | Certificate of Authenticity | — |
| Back | AA Figured Maple | AAA Flame Maple |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard | 5-ply Top, 3-ply Back |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | Frontier | SJ-200 |
| Body Styles | Square Shoulder | Super Jumbo |
| Bracing | Traditional Hand Scalloped X-bracing | Traditional Hand-Scalloped X-Bracing |
| Bridge | Traditional Belly Up, Indian Rosewood | Two bar SJ-200 Moustache; Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | TUSQ | TUSQ |
| Case | Custom Hardshell Case with Pink Interior and Tooled Exterior | 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 |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Slotted Rectangle | Mother of Pearl Graduated Crowns |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock | 1962 Epiphone Small Peghead | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Mother of Pearl 1962 Epiphone Logo and Beehive | Mother of Pearl Gibson Logo and Crown |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | AMSSSFFB | MCJB20TB |
| Nut | Bone | TUSQ |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin Jack | 1/4" Endpin Jack |
| Pickguard | Dual Tortoise, Engraved with Frontier Lariat & Cactus Graphics | SJ-200 Cream Flower with Border and Dots |
| Preamp | L.R. Baggs VTC | LR Baggs Anthem |
| Profile | Rounded C | Rounded |
| Saddle Material | Bone | TUSQ |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | AA Figured Maple | AAA Flame Maple |
| Strap Buttons | Cream - in Case | Gold |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Thermally Aged Sitka Spruce | AAA Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-Screw White/Black Bullet | 2-ply Bell, Black and White |
| Tuner Plating | Gold | Gold |
| Tuners | Gotoh Keystone | Grover Rotomatic |
| Under Saddle Pickup | L.R. Baggs VTC | LR Baggs Anthem |
| Finish | — | Gold |
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