Head to head
Gibson 1957 SJ-200 Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural vs Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson 1957 SJ-200 Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural 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 1957 SJ-200 Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Lower price ($3,199 vs $8,299)
Scorecard
| Metric | 1957 SJ-200 Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 73 | 74 |
| Build | 91 | 91 |
| Playability | 72 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 62 | 63 |
Full specifications
| Spec | 1957 SJ-200 Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | AAA Flamed Maple | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 2-piece Maple | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | — | LR Baggs VTC |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $8,299 | $3,199 |
| Accessories | Gibson Accessory Kit, Certificate of Authenticity | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit |
| Back | AAA Flame Maple | Mahogany |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top, Multi-ply Back, Single-ply Headstock and Fretboard | Multi-ply top, single-ply back |
| Body Finish | Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | SJ-200 | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Super Jumbo | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Traditional Hand Scalloped X-bracing, with Hide Glue | Traditional hand scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | SJ-200 Four Bar Moustache | Traditional belly up |
| Bridge Pins | Bone | Tusq |
| Case | Period Correct Case | Hardshell Case |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Graduated Crowns | Mother-of-pearl dots |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl | — |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck to Body Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body |
| Model | CSJB2057DNLA | OCRS4550VS |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.81mm / 1.72in | 43.81mm / 1.72in |
| Pickguard | Murphy Lab Casted SJ-200 | 50's, Tortoise |
| Profile | Rounded | Rounded |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | AAA Flamed Maple | Mahogany |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012 |
| Top wood | Thermally Aged Sitka Spruce | Sitka Spruce |
| Truss Rod Cover | Black with Wide White Border | Black |
| Tuner Plating | Aged Gold | Nickel |
| Tuners | Gotoh with Keystone Buttons | Grover Strap Cream Button |
| Controls | — | Volume and Tone Controls |
| Finish | — | Nickel |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | LR Baggs VTC |
More 1957 SJ-200 Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural comparisons
- 1957 SJ-200 Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural vs SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst
- 1957 SJ-200 Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural vs 1960 Hummingbird Reissue, Heavy Aged, Washed Cherry Sunburst
- 1957 SJ-200 Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural vs J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst
- 1957 SJ-200 Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural vs J-200, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss