Head to head
Gibson 1936 J-35 Reissue, Left-Handed, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 78 to 74 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson 1936 J-35 Reissue, Left-Handed, Vintage Sunburst wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (68 vs 63)
- Lower price ($3,999 vs $4,999)
Scorecard
| Metric | 1936 J-35 Reissue, Left-Handed, Vintage Sunburst | J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 74 | 78 |
| Build | 91 | 96 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 63 | 68 |
Full specifications
| Spec | 1936 J-35 Reissue, Left-Handed, Vintage Sunburst | J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 19 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | None | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $4,999 | $3,999 |
| Accessories | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit | — |
| Back | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Binding | Multi-ply top, single-ply back | Multi-ply Top, Single-ply Back and Fretboard |
| Body Finish | Thin Finish Nitrocellulose, VOS | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-35 | J-160 |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Traditional hand-scalloped Advanced X-bracing, red spruce braces with hide glue | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | Rectangle, open slot, historic spacing | Belly-up, Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | Bone | TUSQ |
| Case | Period Correct Case | Hardshell |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother-of-pearl Dots | Pearloid Trapezoid |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 19 | 20 |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | CSRS3536VSL | OCRS16VS |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 44.95mm / 1.77in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Pickguard | AJ | Tortoise J-160E |
| Profile | Historic | SlimTaper |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| String gauges | 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Thermally Aged Red Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss Rod Cover | Black | 2-ply Black Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Strap cream button | Gotoh Keystone |
| Under Saddle Pickup | None | — |
| Control Knobs | — | Gold Top Hat with Silver Reflector |
| Controls | — | Top-Mounted Master Volume and Tone |
| Fingerboard Pickup | — | J-160E P-90 |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl |
| Output Jack | — | Side-Mounted 1/4" |
| Strap Buttons | — | Cream Endpin |
| Truss rod | — | Adjustable |
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