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Head to head

Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst vs Harley Benton CLC-650SM-CE VS Solid Wood

Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
Acoustic$3,199
No ratings yet
74Overall / 100
Harley Benton CLC-650SM-CE VS Solid Wood
Acoustic$359
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 74 to 68 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 63)
Harley Benton CLC-650SM-CE VS Solid Wood wins on
  • Better sound (68 vs 60)
  • Better value (72 vs 63)
  • Lower price ($359 vs $3,199)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJ-45 50s Original, Vintage SunburstCLC-650SM-CE VS Solid Wood
Overall7468
Build9163
Playability7572
Sound6068
Value6372

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJ-45 50s Original, Vintage SunburstCLC-650SM-CE VS Solid Wood
BrandGibsonHarley Benton
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years——
CountryUS—
Body woodMahoganySelected solid African A-grade mahogany with armrest
Neck woodMahoganyOkoume
FretboardRosewoodHPL
Strings66
Frets20—
Scale24.75"25.71"
PickupsLR Baggs VTC—
Rating——
Price$3,199$359
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—
FinishNickel—
Fretboard inlayMother-of-pearl dots6 mm mother-of-pearl dots
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in400 mm
Fret Count20—
JointCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body—
ModelOCRS4550VS—
NutBone—
Nut width43.81mm / 1.72in43 mm
Pickguard50's, Tortoise—
ProfileRounded—
Saddle MaterialBone—
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in653 mm
SideMahogany—
String gauges0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012—
Top woodSitka SpruceSelected solid African A-grade mahogany
Truss Rod CoverBlack—
Tuner PlatingNickel—
TunersGrover Strap Cream Button—
Under Saddle PickupLR Baggs VTC—
Bridge Basis—HPL
Colour Of Body—Natural
Construction—Grand Concert Style with Venetian Cutaway
Neck profile—C
Nut And Bridge Saddle—Bone
Suitable Case—Art. #122212# (not included)
Top Colour—Ultra high-gloss Vintage Sunburst

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