Head to head
Gibson J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson Songwriter EC Custom, Ebony
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 $4,999)
Gibson Songwriter EC Custom, Ebony wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst | Songwriter EC Custom, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 78 | 73 |
| Build | 96 | 91 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 68 | 62 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-160E Original, Vintage Sunburst | Songwriter EC Custom, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Rosewood |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | — | LR Baggs Session VTC |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $3,999 | $4,999 |
| Back | Mahogany | Rosewood |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top, Single-ply Back and Fretboard | Multi-ply Top, Back, and Headstock, Single-ply Fretboard |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-160 | Songwriter |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Square Shoulder,Songwriter |
| Bracing | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing | Traditional Hand-Scalloped X Bracing |
| Bridge | Belly-up, Rosewood | Traditional Belly Up, Ebony |
| Bridge Pins | TUSQ | Brass |
| Case | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Control Knobs | Gold Top Hat with Silver Reflector | — |
| Controls | Top-Mounted Master Volume and Tone | Soundhole Mounted Volume and Tone |
| Fingerboard Pickup | J-160E P-90 | — |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Trapezoid | Mother of Pearl Graduated Block |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl | Gibson Logo and Custom Split Diamond in Mother of Pearl |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body; Hot Hide Glue | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | OCRS16VS | CSSSSCEB |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | Side-Mounted 1/4" | 1/4" Endpin |
| Pickguard | Tortoise J-160E | Hummingbird Artist |
| Profile | SlimTaper | Rounded |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Bone |
| 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 | Custom |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Gold |
| Tuners | Gotoh Keystone | Grover Rotomatic |
| Preamp | — | LR Baggs Session VTC |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | LR Baggs Session VTC |
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