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Head to head

Gibson J-45 Anniversary Limited Edition, Cremona Burst vs Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst

Gibson J-45 Anniversary Limited Edition, Cremona Burst
Acoustic$4,499
No ratings yet
74Overall / 100
Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst
Acoustic$4,999
No ratings yet
77Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst comes out ahead overall — 77 to 74 on our estimated score.

Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.

Gibson J-45 Anniversary Limited Edition, Cremona Burst wins on
  • Lower price ($4,499 vs $4,999)
Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst wins on
  • Better build (96 vs 91)
  • Better sound (68 vs 60)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJ-45 Anniversary Limited Edition, Cremona BurstSongwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst
Overall7477
Build9196
Playability7572
Sound6068
Value6367

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJ-45 Anniversary Limited Edition, Cremona BurstSongwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years——
CountryUSUS
Body woodMahoganyRosewood
Neck woodMahoganyMahogany
FretboardRosewoodEbony
Strings66
Frets—20
Scale24.75"25.5"
PickupsBaggs VTCLR Baggs HiFi
Rating——
Price$4,499$4,999
AccessoriesGibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity—
BackMahoganyRosewood
BindingMulti-ply top and backMulti-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard and Headstock
Body FinishGloss nitrocellulose lacquerGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeJ-45Songwriter
BridgeBelly UpBelly-up, Ebony, with Mother-of-Pearl Arrow inlays
Bridge PinsTUSQTUSQ
CaseGibson HardshellHardshell
Controls1 volume, 1 toneSoundhole-mounted Volume and Tone
FinishGoldGold
Fretboard inlayMother-of-pearl dotMother of Pearl Diamond Eye
Fretboard radius12 in. | 304.8 mm304.8mm / 12.0in
JointDovetailCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body; Hot Hide Glue
ModelMCRS45BCCBMCSSSWRARBL
NutBoneBone
PickguardTeardropCustom Line, Tortoise
ProfileSlimTaperRound
Saddle MaterialBoneBone
Scale length628.7mm / 24.75in647.7mm / 25.5in
SideMahoganyRosewood
String gauges.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
Top woodBearclaw spruceThermally Aged Solid Sitka Spruce
TunersGrover Open BackGrover Open Back
Under Saddle PickupBaggs VTCLR Baggs HiFi
Bracing—Traditional Scalloped Wide X
Fret Count—20
Headstock Inlay—Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl
Nut width—43.82mm / 1.73in
Output Jack—1/4" Endpin
Preamp—LR Baggs HiFi
Strap Buttons—Endpin Jack
Truss rod—Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover—2-ply Black Bell
Tuner Plating—Gold

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