Head to head
Gibson SJ-200 Western Classic, Vintage Sunburst vs Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Antique Natural
The verdict
The Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Antique Natural 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 Western Classic, Vintage Sunburst wins on
No standout advantage.
Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Antique Natural 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
| Metric | SJ-200 Western Classic, Vintage Sunburst | Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Antique Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 73 | 77 |
| Build | 91 | 96 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 60 | 68 |
| Value | 62 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | SJ-200 Western Classic, Vintage Sunburst | Songwriter Recording Artist EC, Antique Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Acoustic | Acoustic |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Neck wood | 2-piece Maple with Walnut Stringer | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | — | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $7,499 | $4,999 |
| Binding | 5-ply Top, 4-ply Back, 3-ply Fretboard and Headstock | 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 | Super Jumbo | Songwriter EC |
| Bracing | Traditional Hand-Scalloped X-Bracing | Traditional Scalloped Wide X |
| Bridge | Four bar SJ-200 Moustache; Ebony | Belly-up, Ebony, with Mother-of-Pearl Arrow inlays |
| Bridge Pins | TUSQ | TUSQ |
| Case | Gibson Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Finish | Gold | Gold |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Blocks | Mother of Pearl Diamond Eye |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 20 | 20 |
| Headstock Inlay | Mother of Pearl Gibson Logo and Western Classic Torch Inlays | 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 | CSJBWCVS | MCSSSCRAAN |
| Nut | Bone | Bone |
| Nut width | 43.82mm / 1.73in | 43.82mm / 1.73in |
| Pickguard | Tortoise Western Classic, Bound | Custom Line, Tortoise |
| Profile | Rounded | Round |
| Saddle Material | Bone | Bone |
| Scale length | 647.7mm / 25.5in | 647.7mm / 25.5in |
| Side | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Strap Buttons | Gold Screw Endpin | Endpin Jack |
| String gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Top wood | AAA Sitka Spruce | Thermally Aged Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-ply Bell, Black with Wide White Border | 2-ply Black Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Gold | Gold |
| Tuners | Waverly | Grover Open Back |
| Back | — | Rosewood |
| Controls | — | Soundhole-mounted Volume and Tone |
| Output Jack | — | 1/4" Endpin |
| Preamp | — | LR Baggs HiFi |
| Under Saddle Pickup | — | LR Baggs HiFi |
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