Head to head
Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson L-00 Century 12-Fret, Left-Handed, Vintage Amber
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 $2,299)
Gibson L-00 Century 12-Fret, Left-Handed, Vintage Amber wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst | L-00 Century 12-Fret, Left-Handed, Vintage Amber |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80 | 74 |
| Build | 96 | 91 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 68 | 60 |
| Value | 77 | 63 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst | L-00 Century 12-Fret, Left-Handed, Vintage Amber |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Solid Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Utile | — |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 19 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs Element Bronze | — |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,999 | $2,299 |
| Back | Solid Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Binding | Single-ply Cream, Top and Back | Single-ply top and back |
| Body Finish | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Thin satin nitrocellulose lacquer |
| Body shape | J-45 | L-00 |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | — |
| Bracing | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing | — |
| Bridge | Traditional Belly Up; Rosewood | Rosewood rectangle |
| Bridge Pins | TUSQ | TUSQ |
| Case | Premium Soft Shell | Century Series tweed hardshell case |
| Controls | Soundhole Mounted Volume | — |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother-of-Pearl Dot | Mother-of-pearl dot |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 12 in. | 304.8 mm |
| Fret Count | 20 | 19 |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo in Gold Silkscreen | — |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue | Dovetail, 12th fret |
| Model | MCRS45SPCVS | OCSBLC12ANL |
| Nut | TUSQ | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | — |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin | — |
| Pickguard | Teardrop; Tortoise | L-00 |
| Preamp | LR Baggs Element Bronze | — |
| Profile | SlimTaper | SlimTaper |
| Saddle Material | TUSQ | Bone |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.7mm / 24.75in |
| Side | Solid Mahogany | Mahogany |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Sitka spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Black | — |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | — |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatic | Closed square |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs Element Bronze | — |
| Finish | — | Nickel |
More J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst comparisons
- J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst vs J-45 50s Original, Vintage Sunburst
- J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst vs SJ-200 Standard, Tri Burst
- J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst vs 1960 Hummingbird Reissue, Heavy Aged, Washed Cherry Sunburst
- J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst vs J-45 EC Studio, Vintage Sunburst