Head to head
Gibson J-185 Century 12-Fret, Ebony vs Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 80 to 74 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson J-185 Century 12-Fret, Ebony wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (77 vs 63)
- Lower price ($1,999 vs $2,499)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-185 Century 12-Fret, Ebony | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 74 | 80 |
| Build | 91 | 96 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 63 | 77 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-185 Century 12-Fret, Ebony | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Solid Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Utile |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | — | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | — | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $2,499 | $1,999 |
| Back | Mahogany | Solid Mahogany |
| Binding | Single-ply top and back | Single-ply Cream, Top and Back |
| Body Finish | Thin satin nitrocellulose lacquer | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-185 | J-45 |
| Bridge | Rosewood rectangle | Traditional Belly Up; Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | TUSQ | TUSQ |
| Case | Century Series tweed hardshell case | Premium Soft Shell |
| Finish | Nickel | — |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother-of-pearl dot | Mother-of-Pearl Dot |
| Fretboard radius | 12 in. | 304.8 mm | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Joint | Dovetail, 12th fret | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | OCJB8512EB | MCRS45SPCVS |
| Nut | Bone | TUSQ |
| Pickguard | Teardrop, tortoiseshell | Teardrop; Tortoise |
| Profile | SlimTaper | SlimTaper |
| Saddle Material | Bone | TUSQ |
| Scale length | 628.7mm / 24.75in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Mahogany | Solid Mahogany |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Sitka spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Tuners | Closed square | Grover Rotomatic |
| Body Styles | — | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | — | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing |
| Controls | — | Soundhole Mounted Volume |
| Fret Count | — | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Gibson Logo in Gold Silkscreen |
| Nut width | — | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Endpin |
| Preamp | — | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Truss rod | — | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | — | 2-ply Black |
| Tuner Plating | — | Nickel |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | LR Baggs Element Bronze |