Head to head
Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson Songwriter Chroma - Quilt Maple, Black Cherry
The verdict
The Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 74 to 69 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
- Better playability (75 vs 64)
- Better value (63 vs 58)
- Lower price ($3,199 vs $3,999)
Gibson Songwriter Chroma - Quilt Maple, Black Cherry wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst | Songwriter Chroma - Quilt Maple, Black Cherry |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 74 | 69 |
| Build | 91 | 87 |
| Playability | 75 | 64 |
| Sound | 60 | 60 |
| Value | 63 | 58 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst | Songwriter Chroma - Quilt Maple, Black Cherry |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | — |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | — |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | — |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | — |
| Scale | 24.75" | — |
| Pickups | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs™ Sessions |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $3,199 | $3,999 |
| Accessories | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit |
| Back | Mahogany | — |
| Binding | Multi-ply top, single-ply back | — |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | — |
| Body shape | J-45 | — |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | — |
| Bracing | Traditional hand scalloped X-bracing | — |
| Bridge | Traditional belly up | Traditional belly up |
| Bridge Pins | Tusq | Tusq |
| Case | Hardshell Case | Hardshell Case |
| Controls | Volume and Tone Controls | Controls in soundhole |
| Finish | Nickel | — |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother-of-pearl dots | — |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | — |
| Fret Count | 20 | — |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body | — |
| Model | OCRS4550VS | CHHBBCNE |
| Nut | Bone | — |
| Nut width | 43.81mm / 1.72in | — |
| Pickguard | 50's, Tortoise | Modern |
| Profile | Rounded | — |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Tusq |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | — |
| Side | Mahogany | — |
| String gauges | 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012 | 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012 |
| Top wood | Sitka Spruce | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | Black | B/W |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Gold |
| Tuners | Grover Strap Cream Button | Mini Grover Rotomatic w/ kidney buttons |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs™ Sessions |
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