Head to head
Gibson Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony vs Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Rosewood Burst
The verdict
The Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Rosewood Burst 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 Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Rosewood Burst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Lower price ($4,999 vs $7,499)
Scorecard
| Metric | Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony | Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Rosewood Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 74 | 77 |
| Build | 91 | 96 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 63 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Cat Stevens J-180 Collector's Edition, Ebony | Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Rosewood Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Maple | Rosewood |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs M1 Soundhole Pickup | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,499 | $4,999 |
| Accessories | Certificate of Authenticity and a selection of patches, pins, and stickers inspired by the iconic artwork of Cat Stevens | — |
| Back | Maple | Rosewood |
| Body Finish | Nitrocellulose VOS | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-180 | Songwriter |
| Body Styles | Jumbo | Songwriter EC |
| Bracing | Traditional Hand Scalloped X-bracing | Traditional Scalloped Wide X |
| Bridge | Belly Up Adjustable, Pinless | Belly-up, Ebony, with Mother-of-Pearl Arrow inlays |
| Bridge Pins | None | TUSQ |
| Case | Cat Stevens Case Included | Hardshell |
| Controls | Volume Control on the Pickup | Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone |
| Fretboard inlay | Graduated Mother of Pearl Stars | Mother of Pearl Diamond Eye |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | AMJBCSEB | MCSSSCRARB |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin Jack | 1/4" Endpin |
| Pickguard | Tortoise J-180 Double Moustache | Custom Line, Tortoise |
| Preamp | LR Baggs M1 | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Profile | 60s Custom | Round |
| Saddle Material | Black TUSQ, Adjustable | Bone |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | Maple | Rosewood |
| Top wood | Thermally Aged Sitka Spruce | Thermally Aged Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | Cat Stevens; Extra Black and White TRC Included in the Case | 2-ply Black Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Gold |
| Tuners | Keystone Waffleback | Grover Open Back |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs M1 Soundhole Pickup | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Binding | — | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard and Headstock |
| Finish | — | Gold |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl |
| Strap Buttons | — | Endpin Jack |
| String gauges | — | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
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