Head to head
Gibson SJ-200 Standard 3-Piece Back, Merlot Burst vs Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Rosewood Burst
The verdict
The Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist EC, 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 SJ-200 Standard 3-Piece Back, Merlot Burst wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Rosewood Burst wins on
- Better build (96 vs 91)
- Better sound (68 vs 60)
- Better value (67 vs 62)
- Lower price ($4,999 vs $7,699)
Scorecard
| Metric | SJ-200 Standard 3-Piece Back, Merlot Burst | Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Rosewood Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 73 | 77 |
| Build | 91 | 96 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 62 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | SJ-200 Standard 3-Piece Back, Merlot Burst | Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Rosewood Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Rosewood with AAA Flame Maple Center Strip | Rosewood |
| Neck wood | 2-piece Maple | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 1" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,699 | $4,999 |
| Back | Rosewood with AAA Flame Maple Center Strip | Rosewood |
| Binding | Multi-ply | Multi-ply Top and Back, Single-ply Fretboard and Headstock |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | SJ-200 | Songwriter |
| Body Styles | Jumbo | Songwriter EC |
| Bracing | J-200 | Traditional Scalloped Wide X |
| Bridge | Four Bar SJ-200 Moustache; Ebony | Belly-up, Ebony, with Mother-of-Pearl Arrow inlays |
| Bridge Pins | Bone | TUSQ |
| Case | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Controls | Volume and Tone | Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone |
| Fretboard inlay | Abalone Crowns | Mother of Pearl Diamond Eye |
| Fretboard radius | 12.0mm / 0.47in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo and Custom Split Diamond in Mother of Pearl | Gibson Logo and Crown in Mother of Pearl |
| Model | DTCJB20MBPSL1106 | MCSSSCRARB |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 1.73mm / 0.07in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Endpin Jack | 1/4" Endpin |
| Profile | Round | Round |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 25.5mm / 1.0in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | Sitka spruce | Thermally Aged Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Tuner Plating | Gold | Gold |
| Tuners | Grover Imperial | Grover Open Back |
| Under Saddle Pickup | LR Baggs VTC | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Finish | — | Gold |
| Joint | — | Compound Dovetail Neck-to-body; Hot Hide Glue |
| Pickguard | — | Custom Line, Tortoise |
| Preamp | — | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Strap Buttons | — | Endpin Jack |
| Truss Rod Cover | — | 2-ply Black Bell |
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