Skip to content
Head to head

Gibson 1939 SJ-100 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Faded Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst

Gibson 1939 SJ-100 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Faded Vintage Sunburst
Acoustic$8,999
No ratings yet
73Overall / 100
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
Acoustic$3,199
No ratings yet
74Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1939 SJ-100 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Faded Vintage Sunburst and Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst 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 J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
  • Lower price ($3,199 vs $8,999)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
Metric1939 SJ-100 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Faded Vintage SunburstJ-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
Overall7374
Build9191
Playability7275
Sound6060
Value6263

Full specifications

Specification comparison
Spec1939 SJ-100 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Faded Vintage SunburstJ-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years
CountryUSUS
Body woodMahoganyMahogany
Neck wood2-piece MapleMahogany
FretboardEbonyRosewood
Strings66
Frets2020
Scale25.5"24.75"
PickupsLR Baggs VTC
Rating
Price$8,999$3,199
BackMahoganyMahogany
BindingMulti-ply Top, Single-ply Back and FretboardMulti-ply top, single-ply back
Body FinishMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose LacquerGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeSJ-100J-45
Body StylesJumboRound Shoulder
BracingTraditional Hand-Scalloped X Bracing, Hide Glue FitTraditional hand scalloped X-bracing
BridgeEbony MoustacheTraditional belly up
Bridge PinsBoneTusq
CaseGibson Custom HardshellHardshell Case
Fretboard inlayMother of Pearl DotMother-of-pearl dots
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2020
HeadstockVintage Gibson Stair-Step
Headstock InlayGibson Script Logo in Mother of Pearl
JointCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide GlueCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body
ModelCSJB10VSHAOCRS4550VS
NutBoneBone
Nut width43.82mm / 1.73in43.81mm / 1.72in
PickguardSJ-100; Firestripe50's, Tortoise
ProfileRoundedRounded
Saddle MaterialBoneBone
Scale length647.7mm / 25.5in628.65mm / 24.75in
SideMahoganyMahogany
Strap ButtonsCream End Pin
String gauges.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .0530.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012
Top woodThermally Aged Red SpruceSitka Spruce
Truss rodAdjustable
Truss Rod CoverBlack, StampedBlack
Tuner PlatingNickel; Murphy Lab AgedNickel
TunersWaverly with Ivoroid KnobGrover Strap Cream Button
AccessoriesIncludes Gibson Accessory Kit
ControlsVolume and Tone Controls
FinishNickel
Under Saddle PickupLR Baggs VTC

More 1939 SJ-100 Reissue, Heavy Aged, Faded Vintage Sunburst comparisons