Head to head
Gibson Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst 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 Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Lower price ($3,199 vs $7,999)
Scorecard
| Metric | Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 73 | 74 |
| Build | 91 | 91 |
| Playability | 72 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 62 | 63 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | AAA Indian Rosewood | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 2-piece AAA Maple with Walnut Stringer | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Indian Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 12 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | Fishman Matrix | LR Baggs VTC |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,999 | $3,199 |
| Back | AAA Indian Rosewood | Mahogany |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard and Headstock | Multi-ply top, single-ply back |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | SJ-200 | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Jumbo | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Traditional Hand Scalloped X-bracing | Traditional hand scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | SJ-200 Moustache; Solid Rosewood with Four 60s Style Agoya Inlays | Traditional belly up |
| Bridge Pins | TUSQ | Tusq |
| Case | 12-String Hardshell with Brian May Signature on Exterior | Hardshell Case |
| Controls | Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone | Volume and Tone Controls |
| Finish | Gold | Nickel |
| Fretboard inlay | Agoya 8-point Star | Mother-of-pearl dots |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo in Mother of Pearl, Agoya Shell 8-point Star | — |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body |
| Model | AMJBBMVS | OCRS4550VS |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 47.63mm / 1.88in | 43.81mm / 1.72in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin | — |
| Pickguard | SJ-200 with Brian May Designed Planetary Artwork | 50's, Tortoise |
| Preamp | Fishman Matrix | — |
| Profile | Rounded | Rounded |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | AAA Indian Rosewood | Mahogany |
| Strap Buttons | Endpin Jack and Gold | — |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053, Octaves: .012, .016, .010, .014, .020, .030 | 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012 |
| Top wood | AAA Sitka Spruce | Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Black; Brian May Engraved Signature | Black |
| Tuner Plating | Gold | Nickel |
| Tuners | Grover Mini Rotomatic | Grover Strap Cream Button |
| Under Saddle Pickup | Fishman Matrix | LR Baggs VTC |
| Accessories | — | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit |
More Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst comparisons
- Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst vs SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst
- Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst vs 1960 Hummingbird Reissue, Heavy Aged, Washed Cherry Sunburst
- Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst vs J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst
- Brian May SJ-200 12-String, Vintage Sunburst vs J-200, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss