Head to head
Gibson 1939 SJ-100 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Faded Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony
Acoustic$8,999
No ratings yet73Overall / 100
The verdict
The Gibson 1939 SJ-100 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Faded Vintage Sunburst and Gibson Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony are closely matched overall — 73 to 74 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson 1939 SJ-100 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Faded Vintage Sunburst wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony wins on
- Lower price ($7,499 vs $8,999)
Scorecard
| Metric | 1939 SJ-100 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Faded Vintage Sunburst | Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 73 | 74 |
| Build | 91 | 91 |
| Playability | 72 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 62 | 63 |
Full specifications
| Spec | 1939 SJ-100 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Faded Vintage Sunburst | Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Maple |
| Neck wood | 2-piece Maple | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | — | LR Baggs M1 Soundhole Pickup |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $8,999 | $7,499 |
| Back | Mahogany | Maple |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top, Single-ply Back and Fretboard | — |
| Body Finish | Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Nitrocellulose VOS |
| Body shape | SJ-100 | J-180 |
| Body Styles | Jumbo | Jumbo |
| Bracing | Traditional Hand-Scalloped X Bracing, Hide Glue Fit | Traditional Hand Scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | Ebony Moustache | Belly Up Adjustable, Pinless |
| Bridge Pins | Bone | None |
| Case | Gibson Custom Hardshell | Cat Stevens Case Included |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Dot | Graduated Mother of Pearl Stars |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock | Vintage Gibson Stair-Step | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Script Logo in Mother of Pearl | — |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | CSJB10VSHA | AMJBCSEB |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Pickguard | SJ-100; Firestripe | Tortoise J-180 Double Moustache |
| Profile | Rounded | 60s Custom |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Black TUSQ, Adjustable |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Mahogany | Maple |
| Strap Buttons | Cream End Pin | — |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | — |
| Top wood | Thermally Aged Red Spruce | Thermally Aged Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | Black, Stamped | Cat Stevens; Extra Black and White TRC Included in the Case |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel; Murphy Lab Aged | Nickel |
| Tuners | Waverly with Ivoroid Knob | Keystone Waffleback |
| Accessories | — | Certificate of Authenticity and a selection of patches, pins, and stickers inspired by the iconic artwork of Cat Stevens |
| Controls | — | Volume Control on the Pickup |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Endpin Jack |
| Preamp | — | LR Baggs M1 |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | LR Baggs M1 Soundhole Pickup |
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