Head to head
Gibson Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony vs Gibson J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 78 to 75 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Lower price ($3,999 vs $4,499)
Scorecard
| Metric | Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony | J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 75 | 78 |
| Build | 91 | 96 |
| Playability | 78 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 64 | 68 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony | J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Walnut | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs VTC | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $4,499 | $3,999 |
| Back | Walnut | Mahogany |
| Binding | Single-ply Top and Back | Multi-ply Top, Single-ply Back and Fretboard |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | Songwriter | J-160 |
| Body Styles | Square Shoulder | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Traditional Hand Scalloped Advanced X-bracing | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | Traditional Belly Up, Ebony | Belly-up, Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | TUSQ | TUSQ |
| Case | Custom Hardshell Case | Hardshell |
| Controls | Soundhole Mounted Volume and Tone | Top-Mounted Master Volume and Tone |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Teeth | Pearloid Trapezoid |
| Fretboard radius | 406.4mm / 16.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 24 | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo and Vic Rattlehead 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 | AMSSDMEB | OCRS16VS |
| Nut | TUSQ | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin Jack | Side-Mounted 1/4" |
| Pickguard | Black Modified Songwriter with Vic Rattlehead Artwork | Tortoise J-160E |
| Preamp | LR Baggs VTC | — |
| Profile | Advanced Response | SlimTaper |
| Saddle Material | TUSQ | Bone |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Walnut | Mahogany |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Black/White with Dave Mustaine Signature | 2-ply Black Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic | Gotoh Keystone |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs VTC | — |
| Control Knobs | — | Gold Top Hat with Silver Reflector |
| Fingerboard Pickup | — | J-160E P-90 |
| Strap Buttons | — | Cream Endpin |