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Head to head

Gibson J-45 Standard Rosewood, Rosewood Burst vs Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst

Gibson J-45 Standard Rosewood, Rosewood Burst
Acoustic$3,699
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 Standard Rosewood, Rosewood Burst wins on
  • Lower price ($3,699 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 Standard Rosewood, Rosewood BurstSongwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst
Overall7477
Build9196
Playability7572
Sound6068
Value6367

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJ-45 Standard Rosewood, Rosewood BurstSongwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years
CountryUSUS
Body woodRosewoodRosewood
Neck woodMahoganyMahogany
FretboardIndian RosewoodEbony
Strings66
Frets2020
Scale24.75"25.5"
PickupsLR Baggs VTCLR Baggs HiFi
Rating
Price$3,699$4,999
BackRosewoodRosewood
BindingMulti-ply Top, Single-ply BackMulti-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard and Headstock
Body FinishGloss Nitrocellulose LacquerGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeJ-45Songwriter
Body StylesRound Shoulder
BracingTraditional Hand-Scalloped X BracingTraditional Scalloped Wide X
BridgeReverse Belly, RosewoodBelly-up, Ebony, with Mother-of-Pearl Arrow inlays
Bridge PinsTUSQTUSQ
CaseGibson HardshellHardshell
ControlsSoundhole Mounted Volume and ToneSoundhole-mounted Volume and Tone
FinishGoldGold
Fretboard inlayMother of Pearl DotMother of Pearl Diamond Eye
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2020
Headstock InlayGibson Logo in Mother of PearlGibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl
JointCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide GlueCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body; Hot Hide Glue
ModelMCRS45RWRBMCSSSWRARBL
NutTUSQBone
Nut width43.82mm / 1.73in43.82mm / 1.73in
Output Jack1/4" Endpin Jack1/4" Endpin
PickguardTortoise Tear DropCustom Line, Tortoise
PreampLR Baggs VTCLR Baggs HiFi
ProfileSlimTaperRound
Saddle MaterialTUSQBone
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in647.7mm / 25.5in
SideRosewoodRosewood
Strap ButtonsEndpin JackEndpin Jack
String gauges.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
Top woodSitka SpruceThermally Aged Solid Sitka Spruce
Truss rodAdjustableAdjustable
Truss Rod Cover2-ply Black Bell2-ply Black Bell
Tuner PlatingGoldGold
TunersGrover RotomaticGrover Open Back
Under Saddle PickupLR Baggs VTCLR Baggs HiFi

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