Head to head
Gibson G-Writer EC, Left-Handed, Natural vs Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 80 to 75 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson G-Writer EC, Left-Handed, Natural wins on
- Lower price ($1,599 vs $1,999)
Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (77 vs 71)
Scorecard
| Metric | G-Writer EC, Left-Handed, Natural | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 75 | 80 |
| Build | 91 | 96 |
| Playability | 72 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 71 | 77 |
Full specifications
| Spec | G-Writer EC, Left-Handed, Natural | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Walnut | Solid Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Utile | Utile |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs Element Bronze | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,599 | $1,999 |
| Back | Walnut | Solid Mahogany |
| Body Finish | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | Songwriter | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Square Shoulder | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | Belly Down, Closed Slot, Striped Ebony | Traditional Belly Up; Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | Black | TUSQ |
| Case | Gig Bag | Premium Soft Shell |
| Controls | Soundhole Mounted Volume | Soundhole Mounted Volume |
| Finish | Chrome | — |
| Fretboard inlay | G-Collection Single Bar | Mother-of-Pearl Dot |
| Fretboard radius | 406.4mm / 16.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | MCSSGWANL | MCRS45SPCVS |
| Nut | TUSQ | TUSQ |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin Jack | 1/4" Endpin |
| Pickguard | Black | Teardrop; Tortoise |
| Preamp | LR Baggs Element Bronze | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Profile | Advanced Response | SlimTaper |
| Saddle Material | TUSQ | TUSQ |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Walnut | Solid Mahogany |
| Strap Buttons | 2 | — |
| 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 | Walnut Laminate | 2-ply Black |
| Tuner Plating | Chrome | Nickel |
| Tuners | Grover Mini Rotomatic | Grover Rotomatic |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs Element Bronze | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Binding | — | Single-ply Cream, Top and Back |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Gibson Logo in Gold Silkscreen |
More G-Writer EC, Left-Handed, Natural comparisons
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- G-Writer EC, Left-Handed, Natural vs SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst
- G-Writer EC, Left-Handed, Natural vs 1960 Hummingbird Reissue, Heavy Aged, Washed Cherry Sunburst
- G-Writer EC, Left-Handed, Natural vs J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst