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Head to head

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs ESP Sparrowhawk BLACK

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus
Electric$899
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
ESP Sparrowhawk BLACK
Electric$1,499
No ratings yet
83Overall / 100

The verdict

The ESP Sparrowhawk BLACK comes out ahead overall — 83 to 68 on our estimated score.

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

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus wins on
  • Lower price ($899 vs $1,499)
ESP Sparrowhawk BLACK wins on
  • Better build (93 vs 65)
  • Better playability (81 vs 75)
  • Better sound (74 vs 68)
  • Better value (80 vs 66)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, LazarusSparrowhawk BLACK
Overall6883
Build6593
Playability7581
Sound6874
Value6680

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, LazarusSparrowhawk BLACK
BrandEpiphoneESP
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—JP
Body woodMahoganyMahogany w/ Maple Cap
Neck wood1 Piece Mahogany3pc Mahogany
FretboardLaurelMacassar Ebony
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsGibson Burstbucker 2 / Gibson BurstBucker 3Seymour Duncan Distortion w/ Custom Gold Cover *(Pull Tone for Split) / Seymour Duncan Distortion w/ Custom Gold Cover *(Pull Volume for Split)
Rating——
Price$899$1,499
AccessoriesCertificate of Authenticity—
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and Fretboard—
Body FinishAged Gloss—
Body shapeLes Paul—
Body StylesLes Paul—
BridgeEpiphone LockTone Tune-O-MaticTonePros Locking TOM & Tailpiece
Bridge pickupGibson BurstBucker 3Seymour Duncan Distortion w/ Custom Gold Cover *(Pull Volume for Split)
CaseIncludes Vintage-Style Case with BONAMASSA Nerdville, CA GraphicSPARROWHAWK FORM FIT CASE
Control CoversBlack—
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial Pointers—
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, with 50s Wiring, CTS Potentiometers, and Mallory CapacitorsVolume(Push/Pull)/Tone(Push/Pull)/Toggle Switch
FinishNickelBlack
Fretboard inlayPearloid Trapezoid—
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in350mm
Fret Count22—
Headstock60s Kalamazoo—
Headstock InlayEpiphone logo in Mother of Pearl, Les Paul Model in Gold Silkscreen—
Jack Plate CoverCream—
JointGlued in, Long Tenon—
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH3—
Mounting RingsCream—
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 2Seymour Duncan Distortion w/ Custom Gold Cover *(Pull Tone for Split)
NutGraph TechMolded
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42mm
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft—
PickguardCream—
Pickup CoversNickel—
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft Toggle—
Profile50s Rounded Medium C—
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in24.75"
Strap Buttons2 - Bottom and Shoulder—
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046—
Switch TipAmber—
SwitchwasherCream with Gold Text—
TailpieceEpiphone LockTone Stop Bar—
Top woodMaple with Wide Grain AAAA Flame Maple Veneer—
Truss rod2-Way Adjustable—
Truss Rod CoverBell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White)—
Tuner PlatingNickel—
TunersEpiphone Deluxe with Tulip KeysLTD Locking
Case Included—Y
Construction—Set-Thru
Hardware—Gold
Neck profile—Thin U
Strap Button—Standard

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