Head to head
Gibson J-15, Antique 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 J-15, Antique Natural wins on
- Lower price ($1,799 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 72)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-15, Antique Natural | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 75 | 80 |
| Build | 91 | 96 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 72 | 77 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-15, Antique Natural | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | — | Solid Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 2-piece maple | Utile |
| Fretboard | Walnut | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs™ Element | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,799 | $1,999 |
| Accessories | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit | — |
| Bridge | Rectangular, closed slot, Walnut | Traditional Belly Up; Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | Tusq | TUSQ |
| Case | Gibson Hardshell | Premium Soft Shell |
| Controls | 1 Volume | Soundhole Mounted Volume |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother-of-pearl dots | Mother-of-Pearl Dot |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Model | RS15ANN19 | MCRS45SPCVS |
| Nut | Tusq | TUSQ |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Pickguard | Tear Drop | Teardrop; Tortoise |
| Profile | SlimTaper | SlimTaper |
| Saddle Material | Tusq | TUSQ |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| String gauges | 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Truss Rod Cover | B/W | 2-ply Black |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Mini Grover Rotomatic | Grover Rotomatic |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs™ Element | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Back | — | Solid Mahogany |
| Binding | — | Single-ply Cream, Top and Back |
| Body Finish | — | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | — | J-45 |
| Body Styles | — | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | — | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Gibson Logo in Gold Silkscreen |
| Joint | — | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Endpin |
| Preamp | — | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Side | — | Solid Mahogany |
| Top wood | — | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | — | Adjustable |