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Head to head

Gibson 1963 Country Western Reissue, Heavy Aged, Smoked Natural vs Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst

Gibson 1963 Country Western Reissue, Heavy Aged, Smoked Natural
Acoustic$7,499
No ratings yet
74Overall / 100
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
Acoustic$3,199
No ratings yet
74Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1963 Country Western Reissue, Heavy Aged, Smoked Natural and Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst are closely matched overall — 74 to 74 on our estimated score.

Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.

Gibson 1963 Country Western Reissue, Heavy Aged, Smoked Natural wins on

No standout advantage.

Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
  • Lower price ($3,199 vs $7,499)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
Metric1963 Country Western Reissue, Heavy Aged, Smoked NaturalJ-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
Overall7474
Build9191
Playability7575
Sound6060
Value6363

Full specifications

Specification comparison
Spec1963 Country Western Reissue, Heavy Aged, Smoked NaturalJ-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years
CountryUSUS
Body woodMahoganyMahogany
Neck woodMahoganyMahogany
FretboardIndian RosewoodRosewood
Strings66
Frets2020
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsLR Baggs VTC
Rating
Price$7,499$3,199
AccessoriesCertificate of AuthenticityIncludes Gibson Accessory Kit
BackMahogany, with Rosewood Marquetry StripMahogany
BindingMulti-ply Top and Back, Single-ply FretboardMulti-ply top, single-ply back
Body FinishMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose LacquerGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeHummingbirdJ-45
Body StylesSquare ShoulderRound Shoulder
BracingTraditional Hand-Scalloped X BracingTraditional hand scalloped X-bracing
BridgeRosewood; Traditional Belly-upTraditional belly up
Bridge PinsBoneTusq
CaseBlack Hardshell with Goldenrod InteriorHardshell Case
Fretboard inlayMother of Pearl ParallelogramMother-of-pearl dots
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2020
Headstock InlayGibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl
JointCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide GlueCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body
ModelCSSSCWSNHAOCRS4550VS
NutBoneBone
Nut width43.82mm / 1.73in43.81mm / 1.72in
PickguardCountry Western; Aged Tortoise50's, Tortoise
ProfileRoundedRounded
Saddle MaterialBoneBone
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 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 Sitka SpruceSitka Spruce
Truss rodAdjustable
Truss Rod CoverBlack StampedBlack
Tuner PlatingNickelNickel
TunersGotoh with White ButtonGrover Strap Cream Button
ControlsVolume and Tone Controls
FinishNickel
Under Saddle PickupLR Baggs VTC

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