Head to head
Gibson 30th Anniversary Starburst, Transparent Amber (Gibson Hardshell Case Included), Triple Antique vs Gibson J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst
Gibson
30th Anniversary Starburst, Transparent Amber (Gibson Hardshell Case Included), Triple AntiqueAcoustic$6,599
No ratings yet69Overall / 100
The verdict
The Gibson J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 78 to 69 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson 30th Anniversary Starburst, Transparent Amber (Gibson Hardshell Case Included), Triple Antique wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 87)
- Better playability (75 vs 64)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (68 vs 58)
- Lower price ($3,999 vs $6,599)
Scorecard
| Metric | 30th Anniversary Starburst, Transparent Amber (Gibson Hardshell Case Included), Triple Antique | J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 78 |
| Build | 87 | 96 |
| Playability | 64 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 58 | 68 |
Full specifications
| Spec | 30th Anniversary Starburst, Transparent Amber (Gibson Hardshell Case Included), Triple Antique | J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | — | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | — | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | — | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | — | 20 |
| Scale | — | 24.75" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs™ VTC | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $6,599 | $3,999 |
| Accessories | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit | — |
| Bridge | Custom Line | Belly-up, Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | Bone | TUSQ |
| Case | Gibson Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Controls | Volume and Tone controls in soundhole | Top-Mounted Master Volume and Tone |
| Model | MTSBTAG19 | OCRS16VS |
| Pickguard | None | Tortoise J-160E |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Bone |
| String gauges | 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Truss Rod Cover | B/W | 2-ply Black Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Gold | Nickel |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic w/ kidney buttons | Gotoh Keystone |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs™ VTC | — |
| Back | — | Mahogany |
| Binding | — | Multi-ply Top, Single-ply Back and Fretboard |
| Body Finish | — | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | — | J-160 |
| Body Styles | — | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | — | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing |
| Control Knobs | — | Gold Top Hat with Silver Reflector |
| Fingerboard Pickup | — | J-160E P-90 |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Pearloid Trapezoid |
| Fretboard radius | — | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | — | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl |
| Joint | — | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body; Hot Hide Glue |
| Nut | — | Bone |
| Nut width | — | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | — | Side-Mounted 1/4" |
| Profile | — | SlimTaper |
| Scale length | — | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | — | Mahogany |
| Strap Buttons | — | Cream Endpin |
| Top wood | — | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | — | Adjustable |
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