Head to head
Gibson J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson SJ-200 Studio Rosewood, Satin Natural
The verdict
The Gibson J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 78 to 73 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (68 vs 62)
- Lower price ($3,999 vs $4,199)
Gibson SJ-200 Studio Rosewood, Satin Natural wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst | SJ-200 Studio Rosewood, Satin Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 78 | 73 |
| Build | 96 | 91 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 68 | 62 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst | SJ-200 Studio Rosewood, Satin Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Rosewood |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Utile |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | — | L.R. Baggs Element Bronze |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $3,999 | $4,199 |
| Back | Mahogany | Rosewood |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top, Single-ply Back and Fretboard | Multi-ply Top, Single-ply Back |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-160 | SJ-200 |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Jumbo |
| Bracing | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing | Traditional Hand-scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | Belly-up, Rosewood | Moustache, Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | TUSQ | Tusq |
| Case | Hardshell | Modern Hardshell |
| Control Knobs | Gold Top Hat with Silver Reflector | — |
| Controls | Top-Mounted Master Volume and Tone | Soundhole-mounted Volume |
| Fingerboard Pickup | J-160E P-90 | — |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Trapezoid | Mother-of-pearl Graduated Crown |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 406.4mm / 16.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl | Gold Gibson Logo and Crown Decal |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body; Hot Hide Glue | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body, Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | OCRS16VS | MCJB2SRSAN |
| Nut | Bone | Tusq |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | Side-Mounted 1/4" | 1/4" Endpin |
| Pickguard | Tortoise J-160E | J-200 Plain, Tortoise |
| Profile | SlimTaper | Advanced Response |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Tusq |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | Mahogany | Rosewood |
| Strap Buttons | Cream Endpin | — |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Black Bell | Bell, Studio |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Gotoh Keystone | Grover Rotomatic |
| Preamp | — | L.R. Baggs Element Bronze |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | L.R. Baggs Element Bronze |
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