Head to head
Gibson 1963 Country Western Reissue, Heavy Aged, Smoked Natural vs Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Antique Natural
Acoustic$7,499
No ratings yet74Overall / 100
The verdict
The Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Antique Natural 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 1963 Country Western Reissue, Heavy Aged, Smoked Natural wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Antique Natural wins on
- Better build (96 vs 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Lower price ($4,999 vs $7,499)
Scorecard
| Metric | 1963 Country Western Reissue, Heavy Aged, Smoked Natural | Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Antique Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 74 | 77 |
| Build | 91 | 96 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 63 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | 1963 Country Western Reissue, Heavy Aged, Smoked Natural | Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Antique Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Rosewood |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Indian Rosewood | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | — | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,499 | $4,999 |
| Accessories | Certificate of Authenticity | — |
| Back | Mahogany, with Rosewood Marquetry Strip | Rosewood |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard and Headstock |
| Body Finish | Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | Hummingbird | Songwriter |
| Body Styles | Square Shoulder | Songwriter EC |
| Bracing | Traditional Hand-Scalloped X Bracing | Traditional Scalloped Wide X |
| Bridge | Rosewood; Traditional Belly-up | Belly-up, Ebony, with Mother-of-Pearl Arrow inlays |
| Bridge Pins | Bone | TUSQ |
| Case | Black Hardshell with Goldenrod Interior | Hardshell |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Parallelogram | Mother of Pearl Diamond Eye |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | CSSSCWSNHA | MCSSSCRAAN |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Pickguard | Country Western; Aged Tortoise | Custom Line, Tortoise |
| Profile | Rounded | Round |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | Mahogany | Rosewood |
| Strap Buttons | Cream End Pin | Endpin Jack |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Thermally Aged Sitka Spruce | Thermally Aged Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | Black Stamped | 2-ply Black Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Gold |
| Tuners | Gotoh with White Button | Grover Open Back |
| Controls | — | Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone |
| Finish | — | Gold |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Endpin |
| Preamp | — | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | LR Baggs HiFi |
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