Head to head
Gibson 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Light Aged, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst
Acoustic$6,499
No ratings yet74Overall / 100
Acoustic$4,999
No ratings yet77Overall / 100
The verdict
The Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst comes out ahead overall — 77 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 Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Lower price ($4,999 vs $6,499)
Scorecard
| Metric | 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Light Aged, Vintage Sunburst | Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 74 | 77 |
| Build | 91 | 96 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 63 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, Light Aged, Vintage Sunburst | Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Rosewood |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 19 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | — | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $6,499 | $4,999 |
| Accessories | Gibson Accessory Kit, Certificate of Authenticity | — |
| Back | Mahogany | Rosewood |
| Binding | Single-ply Top and Back | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard and Headstock |
| Body Finish | Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-45 | Songwriter |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | — |
| Bracing | Traditional Hand-scalloped X-bracing, Red Spruce Braces with Hide Glue | Traditional Scalloped Wide X |
| Bridge | Rosewood; Rectangle, Open Slot | Belly-up, Ebony, with Mother-of-Pearl Arrow inlays |
| Bridge Pins | Bone | TUSQ |
| Case | Period Correct Case | Hardshell |
| Finish | Aged Nickel | Gold |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Dot | Mother of Pearl Diamond Eye |
| 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 | CSRS45VSLA | MCSSSWRARBL |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.81mm / 1.72in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Pickguard | Tear Drop Tortoise, Aged | Custom Line, Tortoise |
| Profile | Historic | Round |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | Mahogany | Rosewood |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Thermally Aged Red Spruce | Thermally Aged Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss Rod Cover | Black | 2-ply Black Bell |
| Tuners | Strap Style, Open Back, Cream Buttons, Aged | Grover Open Back |
| Controls | — | Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Endpin |
| Preamp | — | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Strap Buttons | — | Endpin Jack |
| Truss rod | — | Adjustable |
| Tuner Plating | — | Gold |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | LR Baggs HiFi |
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