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Head to head

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

Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
Acoustic$3,199
No ratings yet
74Overall / 100
Harley Benton CLD-1048SCE NS
Harley Benton
CLD-1048SCE NS
Acoustic$271
No ratings yet
65Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 74 to 65 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)
Harley Benton CLD-1048SCE NS wins on
  • Better value (75 vs 63)
  • Lower price ($271 vs $3,199)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJ-45 50s Original, Vintage SunburstCLD-1048SCE NS
Overall7465
Build9158
Playability7572
Sound6060
Value6375

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJ-45 50s Original, Vintage SunburstCLD-1048SCE 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 / 12.0in400 mm (15 3/4")
Fret Count20
JointCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body
ModelOCRS4550VS
NutBone
Nut width43.81mm / 1.72in48.0 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 XTAPB Light .012 - .053 (Art. #471307#)
Top woodSitka Spruce
Truss Rod CoverBlack
Tuner PlatingNickel
TunersGrover Strap Cream Button
Under Saddle PickupLR Baggs VTC
Back And SidesSapele
Nut And SaddleBone

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