Head to head
Gibson Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony vs Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony and Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst are closely matched overall — 75 to 74 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-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Lower price ($3,199 vs $4,499)
Scorecard
| Metric | Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 75 | 74 |
| Build | 91 | 91 |
| Playability | 78 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 64 | 63 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Dave Mustaine Songwriter, Ebony | J-45 50s 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 | LR Baggs VTC |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $4,499 | $3,199 |
| Back | Walnut | Mahogany |
| Binding | Single-ply Top and Back | Multi-ply top, single-ply back |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | Songwriter | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Square Shoulder | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Traditional Hand Scalloped Advanced X-bracing | Traditional hand scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | Traditional Belly Up, Ebony | Traditional belly up |
| Bridge Pins | TUSQ | Tusq |
| Case | Custom Hardshell Case | Hardshell Case |
| Controls | Soundhole Mounted Volume and Tone | Volume and Tone Controls |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Teeth | Mother-of-pearl dots |
| 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 | — |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body |
| Model | AMSSDMEB | OCRS4550VS |
| Nut | TUSQ | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.81mm / 1.72in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin Jack | — |
| Pickguard | Black Modified Songwriter with Vic Rattlehead Artwork | 50's, Tortoise |
| Preamp | LR Baggs VTC | — |
| Profile | Advanced Response | Rounded |
| 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 | 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012 |
| Top wood | Sitka Spruce | Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Black/White with Dave Mustaine Signature | Black |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic | Grover Strap Cream Button |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs VTC |
| Accessories | — | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit |
| Finish | — | Nickel |