Head to head
Gibson Keb’ Mo’ “3.0” 12-Fret J-45, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst
Acoustic$4,999
No ratings yet77Overall / 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 Keb’ Mo’ “3.0” 12-Fret J-45, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Lower price ($4,299 vs $4,999)
Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
Scorecard
| Metric | Keb’ Mo’ “3.0” 12-Fret J-45, Vintage Sunburst | Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 74 | 77 |
| Build | 91 | 96 |
| Playability | 75 | 72 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 63 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Keb’ Mo’ “3.0” 12-Fret J-45, Vintage Sunburst | Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Rosewood |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 19 | 20 |
| Scale | 25" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $4,299 | $4,999 |
| Back | Mahogany | Rosewood |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top, Single-ply Back and Fretboard | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard and Headstock |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | J-45 | Songwriter |
| Body Styles | Round Shoulder | — |
| Bracing | Traditional Hand-scalloped Advanced X-bracing | Traditional Scalloped Wide X |
| Bridge | Belly Down, Closed Slot, Rosewood | Belly-up, Ebony, with Mother-of-Pearl Arrow inlays |
| Bridge Pins | Black Plastic | TUSQ |
| Case | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Controls | Soundhole Mounted Volume and Tone | Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone |
| Finish | Nickel | Gold |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Dot | Mother of Pearl Diamond Eye |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 19 | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | Mother of Pearl Gibson Logo and Crown | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl |
| Joint | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body Joint; Hot Hide Glue | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body; Hot Hide Glue |
| Model | AMRSKMVS | MCSSSWRARBL |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 45.85mm / 1.81in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin Jack | 1/4" Endpin |
| Pickguard | None | Custom Line, Tortoise |
| Preamp | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Profile | Keb' Mo' Neck | Round |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 635.0mm / 25.0in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | Mahogany | Rosewood |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Thermally Aged Sitka Spruce | Thermally Aged Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Bell, Black and White | 2-ply Black Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Gold |
| Tuners | Grover Open-back | Grover Open Back |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Strap Buttons | — | Endpin Jack |
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