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Head to head

Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst vs Harley Benton CLD-1048SCE-LH NS

Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
Acoustic$3,199
No ratings yet
74Overall / 100
Harley Benton CLD-1048SCE-LH NS
Harley Benton
CLD-1048SCE-LH NS
Acoustic$271
No ratings yet
67Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 74 to 67 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)
  • Better playability (75 vs 64)
Harley Benton CLD-1048SCE-LH NS wins on
  • Better sound (68 vs 60)
  • Better value (77 vs 63)
  • Lower price ($271 vs $3,199)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJ-45 50s Original, Vintage SunburstCLD-1048SCE-LH NS
Overall7467
Build9163
Playability7564
Sound6068
Value6377

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJ-45 50s Original, Vintage SunburstCLD-1048SCE-LH NS
BrandGibsonHarley Benton
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years——
CountryUS—
Body woodMahogany—
Neck woodMahoganyOkoume
FretboardRosewoodPau Ferro
Strings66
Frets20—
Scale24.75"25.51"
PickupsLR Baggs VTC—
Rating——
Price$3,199$271
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 Satin
Fretboard inlayMother-of-pearl dotsDot
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in—
Fret Count20—
JointCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body—
ModelOCRS4550VS—
NutBone—
Nut width43.81mm / 1.72in48 mm
Pickguard50's, Tortoise—
ProfileRounded—
Saddle MaterialBone—
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in648 mm
SideMahogany—
String gauges0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012D'Addarío XTAPB1253 012. - .053 (Art.#471307#)
Top woodSitka Sprucesolid spruce
Truss Rod CoverBlack—
Tuner PlatingNickel—
TunersGrover Strap Cream Button—
Under Saddle PickupLR Baggs VTC—
Back And Sides—Sapele
Nut And Saddle—Bone

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