Head to head
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson L-1 Anniversary Limited Edition, Cremona Burst
The verdict
The Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst and Gibson L-1 Anniversary Limited Edition, Cremona Burst are closely matched overall — 74 to 74 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 $4,999)
Gibson L-1 Anniversary Limited Edition, Cremona Burst wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst | L-1 Anniversary Limited Edition, Cremona Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 74 | 74 |
| Build | 91 | 91 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 63 | 63 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst | L-1 Anniversary Limited Edition, Cremona Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | — |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | — |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs VTC | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $3,199 | $4,999 |
| Accessories | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit | Anniversary truss rod cover |
| Back | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Binding | Multi-ply top, single-ply back | Single-ply top and back |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer |
| Body shape | J-45 | L-1 |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | — |
| Bracing | Traditional hand scalloped X-bracing | — |
| Bridge | Traditional belly up | Rectangle with pyramid wings |
| Bridge Pins | Tusq | Bone |
| Case | Hardshell Case | Hardshell Gibson case |
| Controls | Volume and Tone Controls | — |
| Finish | Nickel | Nickel |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother-of-pearl dots | Mother of pearl dot |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | — |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body | Dovetail, 12th fret |
| Model | OCRS4550VS | MCSBL1BCCB |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.81mm / 1.72in | — |
| Pickguard | 50's, Tortoise | None |
| Profile | Rounded | Historic V |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 635.0mm / 25.0in |
| Side | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| String gauges | 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Sitka Spruce | Thermally aged red spruce |
| Truss Rod Cover | Black | — |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | — |
| Tuners | Grover Strap Cream Button | Open-back |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs VTC | — |
| Fingerboard Pickup | — | None |
| Preamp | — | None |
More J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst comparisons
- J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst vs SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst
- 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

