Head to head
Epiphone USA Frontier, Frontier Burst vs Gibson J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 78 to 68 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone USA Frontier, Frontier Burst wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 70)
- Better value (68 vs 58)
- Lower price ($3,999 vs $4,499)
Scorecard
| Metric | USA Frontier, Frontier Burst | J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 68 | 78 |
| Build | 70 | 96 |
| Playability | 72 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 68 |
| Value | 58 | 68 |
Full specifications
| Spec | USA Frontier, Frontier Burst | J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Solid Figured Maple | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Indian Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs VTC | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $4,499 | $3,999 |
| Back | Solid Figured Maple | Mahogany |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top and Back | Multi-ply Top, Single-ply Back and Fretboard |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | Frontier | J-160 |
| Body Styles | Square Shoulder | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Traditional hand-scalloped X bracing | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | Indian Rosewood; Belly Up | Belly-up, Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | Tusq | TUSQ |
| Case | Epiphone Hardshell Case Included | Hardshell |
| Controls | 1 Volume, 1 Tone, Soundhole-mounted | Top-Mounted Master Volume and Tone |
| Finish | Gold | — |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Slotted Rectangle | Pearloid Trapezoid |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | 1962 Epiphone Logo and Beehive Inlay in Mother of Pearl | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | OCSSEFFB | OCRS16VS |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin | Side-Mounted 1/4" |
| Pickguard | Imitation Tortoise with Engraved Lariat and Cactus Graphics | Tortoise J-160E |
| Profile | Rounded C | SlimTaper |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Solid Figured Maple | Mahogany |
| Strap Buttons | Cream | Cream Endpin |
| String gauges | .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | Bullet shaped; 2-layer (B/W) | 2-ply Black Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Gold | Nickel |
| Tuners | Gotoh Keystone | Gotoh Keystone |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs VTC | — |
| Control Knobs | — | Gold Top Hat with Silver Reflector |
| Fingerboard Pickup | — | J-160E P-90 |