Head to head
Gibson 1963 Dove Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural vs Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Rosewood Burst
The verdict
The Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Rosewood Burst comes out ahead overall — 77 to 73 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson 1963 Dove Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Rosewood Burst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (67 vs 62)
- Lower price ($4,999 vs $7,899)
Scorecard
| Metric | 1963 Dove Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural | Songwriter Recording Artist, Rosewood Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 73 | 77 |
| Build | 91 | 96 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 62 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | 1963 Dove Reissue, Light Aged, Dark Natural | Songwriter Recording Artist, Rosewood Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Flamed Maple | Rosewood |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Indian Rosewood | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | — | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,899 | $4,999 |
| Accessories | Gibson Accessory Kit, Certificate of Authenticity | — |
| Back | Flame Maple | Rosewood |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top, Multi-ply 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 | Dove | Songwriter |
| Body Styles | Square Shoulder | — |
| Bracing | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing; Hide Glue Fit | Traditional Scalloped Wide X |
| Bridge | Dove; Rosewood with Two Mother-of-Pearl Dove Inlays | Belly-up, Ebony, with Mother-of-Pearl Arrow inlays |
| Bridge Pins | Bone | TUSQ |
| Case | Period Correct Hardshell with Black Exterior and Gold Interior | Hardshell |
| Finish | Nickel | Gold |
| 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 | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | CSSSDV63DNLA | MCSSSWRARB |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 42.85mm / 1.69in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Pickguard | Dove with Stamped Vines and Flowers and Mother-of-Pearl Dove | Custom Line, Tortoise |
| Profile | Round | Round |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | Flamed Maple | Rosewood |
| Strap Buttons | Cream Endpin | 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 Border, White Center with DOVE Lettering | 2-ply Black Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Gold |
| Tuners | Kluson Waffleback | Grover Open Back |
| Controls | — | Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Endpin |
| Preamp | — | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | LR Baggs HiFi |
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