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Head to head

Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst vs Harley Benton CLD-10SCE BK

Gibson J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
Acoustic$3,199
No ratings yet
74Overall / 100
Harley Benton CLD-10SCE BK
Harley Benton
CLD-10SCE BK
Acoustic$217
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 66)
  • Better playability (75 vs 64)
Harley Benton CLD-10SCE BK wins on
  • Better sound (68 vs 60)
  • Better value (78 vs 63)
  • Lower price ($217 vs $3,199)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJ-45 50s Original, Vintage SunburstCLD-10SCE BK
Overall7468
Build9166
Playability7564
Sound6068
Value6378

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJ-45 50s Original, Vintage SunburstCLD-10SCE BK
BrandGibsonHarley Benton
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years——
CountryUS—
Body woodMahogany—
Neck woodMahoganyOkoume
FretboardRosewoodPau ferro
Strings66
Frets20—
Scale24.75"25.51"
PickupsLR Baggs VTCFishman Presys-II preamp with built-in tuner
Rating——
Price$3,199$217
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 upPau ferro
Bridge PinsTusq—
CaseHardshell Case—
ControlsVolume and Tone Controls—
FinishNickelBlack Satin
Fretboard inlayMother-of-pearl dotsDot
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in—
Fret Count20—
JointCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body—
ModelOCRS4550VS—
NutBone—
Nut width43.81mm / 1.72in43.0 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, 0.012—
Top woodSitka SpruceSolid spruce
Truss Rod CoverBlack—
Tuner PlatingNickel—
TunersGrover Strap Cream Button—
Under Saddle PickupLR Baggs VTC—
Back And Sides—Sapele
Build—Dreadnought with cutaway

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