Skip to content
Head to head

Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst vs Harley Benton CLA-28VE WN

Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
Acoustic$3,199
No ratings yet
74Overall / 100
Harley Benton CLA-28VE WN
Harley Benton
CLA-28VE WN
Acoustic$326
No ratings yet
62Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 74 to 62 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 build (91 vs 58)
  • Better playability (75 vs 67)
Harley Benton CLA-28VE WN wins on
  • Lower price ($326 vs $3,199)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJ-45 50s Original, Vintage SunburstCLA-28VE WN
Overall7462
Build9158
Playability7567
Sound6060
Value6366

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJ-45 50s Original, Vintage SunburstCLA-28VE WN
BrandGibsonHarley Benton
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years
CountryUS
Body woodMahogany
Neck woodMahogany
FretboardRosewood
Strings66
Frets20
Scale24.75"24.96"
PickupsLR Baggs VTC
Rating
Price$3,199$326
AccessoriesIncludes Gibson Accessory Kit
BackMahogany
BindingMulti-ply top, single-ply back
Body FinishGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeJ-45
Body StylesRound Shoulder
BracingTraditional hand scalloped X-bracing
BridgeTraditional belly up
Bridge PinsTusq
CaseHardshell Case
ControlsVolume and Tone Controls
FinishNickelNatural matte
Fretboard inlayMother-of-pearl dots
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count20
JointCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body
ModelOCRS4550VS
NutBone
Nut width43.81mm / 1.72in45 mm
Pickguard50's, Tortoise
ProfileRounded
Saddle MaterialBone
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in634 mm
SideMahogany
String gauges0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012
Top woodSitka Spruce
Truss Rod CoverBlack
Tuner PlatingNickel
TunersGrover Strap Cream Button
Under Saddle PickupLR Baggs VTC

More J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst comparisons