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Head to head

Gibson Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst

Gibson Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood, Vintage Sunburst
Acoustic$7,499
No ratings yet
73Overall / 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 73 on our estimated score.

Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.

Gibson Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood, Vintage Sunburst wins on

No standout advantage.

Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst wins on
  • Better build (96 vs 91)
  • Better sound (68 vs 60)
  • Better value (67 vs 62)
  • Lower price ($4,999 vs $7,499)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricPre-War SJ-200 Rosewood, Vintage SunburstSongwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst
Overall7377
Build9196
Playability7272
Sound6068
Value6267

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecPre-War SJ-200 Rosewood, Vintage SunburstSongwriter Recording Artist, Left-Handed, Rosewood Burst
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeAcousticAcoustic
Years
CountryUSUS
Body woodRosewoodRosewood
Neck wood2-piece mapleMahogany
FretboardEbonyEbony
Strings66
Frets2020
Scale25.5"25.5"
PickupsNoneLR Baggs HiFi
Rating
Price$7,499$4,999
AccessoriesIncludes Gibson Accessory Kit
BackRosewoodRosewood
BindingMulti-ply top, multi-ply backMulti-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard and Headstock
Body FinishThin Finish Nitrocellulose, VOSGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeSJ-200Songwriter
Body StylesSuper Jumbo
BracingTraditional Hand Scalloped X-bracing, with hide glueTraditional Scalloped Wide X
BridgeSJ-200 Four Bar MoustacheBelly-up, Ebony, with Mother-of-Pearl Arrow inlays
Bridge PinsBoneTUSQ
CasePeriod Correct CaseHardshell
Fretboard inlayMother-of-pearl Graduated CrownsMother of Pearl Diamond Eye
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2020
JointCompound Dovetail Neck-to-bodyCompound Dovetail Neck-to-body; Hot Hide Glue
ModelCSJB20PWVSMCSSSWRARBL
NutBoneBone
Nut width43.81mm / 1.72in43.82mm / 1.73in
PickguardSJ-200, multi-colored dots, double borderCustom Line, Tortoise
ProfileRounded DRound
Saddle MaterialBoneBone
Scale length647.7mm / 25.5in647.7mm / 25.5in
SideRosewoodRosewood
String gauges0.053, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.016, 0.012.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
Top woodThermally Aged Red spruceThermally Aged Solid Sitka Spruce
Truss Rod CoverBlack with Wide White2-ply Black Bell
Tuner PlatingGoldGold
TunersGrover ImperialsGrover Open Back
Under Saddle PickupNoneLR Baggs HiFi
ControlsSoundhole-mounted Volume and Tone
FinishGold
Headstock InlayGibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl
Output Jack1/4" Endpin
PreampLR Baggs HiFi
Strap ButtonsEndpin Jack
Truss rodAdjustable

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