Head to head
Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson J-45 Standard, Purple Burst
The verdict
The Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 80 to 72 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 87)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (77 vs 62)
- Lower price ($1,999 vs $2,999)
Gibson J-45 Standard, Purple Burst wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst | J-45 Standard, Purple Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80 | 72 |
| Build | 96 | 87 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 77 | 62 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst | J-45 Standard, Purple Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Solid Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Utile | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs Element Bronze | LR Baggs VTC |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,999 | $2,999 |
| Back | Solid Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Binding | Single-ply Cream, Top and Back | — |
| Body Finish | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-45 | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing | Traditional Hand-scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | Traditional Belly Up; Rosewood | Traditional belly up, Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | TUSQ | Tusq |
| Case | Premium Soft Shell | Gibson Hardshell |
| Controls | Soundhole Mounted Volume | 1 Volume, 1 Tone |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother-of-Pearl Dot | Mother-of-pearl dots |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo in Gold Silkscreen | — |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue | — |
| Model | MCRS45SPCVS | MCRS45PB |
| Nut | TUSQ | Black |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin | — |
| Pickguard | Teardrop; Tortoise | Tear Drop |
| Preamp | LR Baggs Element Bronze | LR Baggs VTC |
| Profile | SlimTaper | SlimTaper |
| Saddle Material | TUSQ | Tusq |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Solid Mahogany | Mahogany |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | 0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012 |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Black | B/W |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic | Grover Rotomatics w/ Kidney Buttons |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs Element Bronze | LR Baggs VTC |
| Accessories | — | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit |
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