Head to head
Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson J-45 Studio Walnut, Walnut Burst
The verdict
The Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 80 to 74 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 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (77 vs 63)
- Lower price ($1,999 vs $2,399)
Gibson J-45 Studio Walnut, Walnut Burst wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst | J-45 Studio Walnut, Walnut Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80 | 74 |
| Build | 96 | 91 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 77 | 63 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst | J-45 Studio Walnut, Walnut Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Solid Mahogany | Walnut |
| Neck wood | Utile | Utile |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Walnut |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs Element Bronze | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,999 | $2,399 |
| Back | Solid Mahogany | Walnut |
| Binding | Single-ply Cream, Top and Back | Multi-ply Top, Single-ply Back |
| Body Finish | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitro Lacquer (Top), Satin Nitro Lacquer (Back, Neck, & Sides) |
| Body shape | J-45 | J-45 |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing | Traditional Hand-scalloped X-bracking |
| Bridge | Traditional Belly Up; Rosewood | Belly-up, Walnut |
| Bridge Pins | TUSQ | Tusq |
| Case | Premium Soft Shell | Modern Hardshell |
| Controls | Soundhole Mounted Volume | Soundhole-mounted Volume |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother-of-Pearl Dot | Mother-of-pearl Dot |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 406.4mm / 16.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo in Gold Silkscreen | Gold Gibson Logo Decal |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body, Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | MCRS45SPCVS | MCRS4SWSWBG |
| Nut | TUSQ | Tusq |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin | 1/4" Endpin |
| Pickguard | Teardrop; Tortoise | Tear Drop with Beveled Edge, Tortoise |
| Preamp | LR Baggs Element Bronze | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Profile | SlimTaper | Advanced Response |
| Saddle Material | TUSQ | Tusq |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Solid Mahogany | Walnut |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Black | Black Bell, Studio |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Nickel |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic | Grover Rotomatic |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs Element Bronze | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Accessories | — | Includes Gibson Accessory Kit |
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