Head to head
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson Johnny Cash SJ-200, Vintage Cherry Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst and Gibson Johnny Cash SJ-200, Vintage Cherry Sunburst are closely matched overall — 74 to 73 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Lower price ($3,199 vs $14,999)
Gibson Johnny Cash SJ-200, Vintage Cherry Sunburst wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst | Johnny Cash SJ-200, Vintage Cherry Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 74 | 73 |
| Build | 91 | 91 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 63 | 62 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst | Johnny Cash SJ-200, Vintage Cherry Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | AAA Flamed Maple |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | 2-piece Flamed Maple with Walnut Stringer |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Indian Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs VTC | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $3,199 | $14,999 |
| Accessories | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit | Certificate of Authenticity |
| Back | Mahogany | AAA Flame Maple |
| Binding | Multi-ply top, single-ply back | 5-ply Top, 3-ply Back, Single-ply Headstock and Fretboard |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-45 | SJ-200 |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Super Jumbo |
| Bracing | Traditional hand scalloped X-bracing | Traditional Hand-Scalloped X-Bracing |
| Bridge | Traditional belly up | Four Bar SJ-200 Moustache; Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | Tusq | TUSQ - White with Black Dot |
| Case | Hardshell Case | Custom Johnny Cash Hardshell |
| Controls | Volume and Tone Controls | — |
| Finish | Nickel | Gold |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother-of-pearl dots | Mother of Pearl Johnny Cash |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | OCRS4550VS | AMJBJC20VCS |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.81mm / 1.72in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Pickguard | 50's, Tortoise | Black Johnny Cash Batwing |
| Profile | Rounded | Rounded |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | Mahogany | AAA Flamed Maple |
| String gauges | 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Sitka Spruce | AAA Sitka Spruce |
| Truss Rod Cover | Black | Black with Wide White |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Gold |
| Tuners | Grover Strap Cream Button | Gotoh with Green Keystone Button |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs VTC | — |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl |
| Strap Buttons | — | Cream End Pin |
| Truss rod | — | Adjustable |
More J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst comparisons
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- J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst vs 1960 Hummingbird Reissue, Heavy Aged, Washed Cherry Sunburst
- J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst vs J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst
- J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst vs J-200, Aged Vintage Sunburst Gloss