Head to head
Gibson 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Light Aged, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry Sunburst
Acoustic$6,499
No ratings yet74Overall / 100
Acoustic$3,999
No ratings yet78Overall / 100
The verdict
The Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry 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 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Light Aged, Vintage Sunburst wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry Sunburst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (68 vs 63)
- Lower price ($3,999 vs $6,499)
Scorecard
| Metric | 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Light Aged, Vintage Sunburst | Hummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 74 | 78 |
| Build | 91 | 96 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 63 | 68 |
Full specifications
| Spec | 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Light Aged, Vintage Sunburst | Hummingbird Standard EC, Left-Handed, Heritage Cherry Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Solid Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 19 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | — | LR Baggs VTC |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $6,499 | $3,999 |
| Accessories | Gibson Accessory Kit, Certificate of Authenticity | — |
| Back | Mahogany | Solid Mahogany |
| Binding | Single-ply Top and Back | 6-ply Top, 4-ply Back, Single Ply Fretboard |
| Body Finish | Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss |
| Body shape | J-45 | Hummingbird EC |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Square Shoulder |
| Bracing | Traditional Hand-scalloped X-bracing, Red Spruce Braces with Hide Glue | — |
| Bridge | Rosewood; Rectangle, Open Slot | Belly-up; Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | Bone | Ivory Plastic |
| Case | Period Correct Case | Hardshell |
| Finish | Aged Nickel | Gold |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Dot | Mother of Pearl Split Parallelogram |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 19 | 20 |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-Body | Glued In, Set Neck; Tapered Dovetail |
| Model | CSRS45VSLA | MCSSHBECHCSL |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.81mm / 1.72in | 43.0mm / 1.69in |
| Pickguard | Tear Drop Tortoise, Aged | Tortoiseshell Hummingbird with Graphics |
| Profile | Historic | Rounded C |
| Saddle Material | Bone | TUSQ |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Mahogany | Solid Mahogany |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Thermally Aged Red Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss Rod Cover | Black | 2-ply Black Bell |
| Tuners | Strap Style, Open Back, Cream Buttons, Aged | Grover Rotomatic |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl |
| Output Jack | — | Combination Battery Box and 1/4" Output Jack |
| Strap Buttons | — | 2 - Battery Box/Output Jack and Back of Heel |
| Truss rod | — | Dual Action |
| Tuner Plating | — | Gold |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | LR Baggs VTC |
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