Head to head
Gibson J-45 vs Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst
The verdict
The Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 80 to 69 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson J-45 wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 84)
- Better playability (75 vs 67)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (77 vs 58)
- Lower price ($1,999 vs $2,200)
Scorecard
| Metric | J-45 | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 69 | 80 |
| Build | 84 | 96 |
| Playability | 67 | 75 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 58 | 77 |
Full specifications
| Spec | J-45 | J-45 Special, Satin Vintage Sunburst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | 1942 | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Solid Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Utile |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | None | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $2,200 – $2,800 | $1,999 |
| Body shape | Round-shoulder Dreadnought | J-45 |
| Top wood | Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Back | — | Solid Mahogany |
| Binding | — | Single-ply Cream, Top and Back |
| Body Finish | — | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body Styles | — | Round Shoulder |
| Bracing | — | Traditional Scalloped X-bracing |
| Bridge | — | Traditional Belly Up; Rosewood |
| Bridge Pins | — | TUSQ |
| Case | — | Premium Soft Shell |
| Controls | — | Soundhole Mounted Volume |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Mother-of-Pearl Dot |
| Fretboard radius | — | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | — | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | — | Gibson Logo in Gold Silkscreen |
| Joint | — | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | — | MCRS45SPCVS |
| Nut | — | TUSQ |
| Nut width | — | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Endpin |
| Pickguard | — | Teardrop; Tortoise |
| Preamp | — | LR Baggs Element Bronze |
| Profile | — | SlimTaper |
| Saddle Material | — | TUSQ |
| Scale length | — | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Side | — | Solid Mahogany |
| String gauges | — | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Truss rod | — | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | — | 2-ply Black |
| Tuner Plating | — | Nickel |
| Tuners | — | Grover Rotomatic |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | LR Baggs Element Bronze |