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Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue 3-Pickup, Light Aged, Ebony

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus
Electric$899
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue 3-Pickup, Light Aged, Ebony
Electric$8,999
No ratings yet
78Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue 3-Pickup, Light Aged, Ebony comes out ahead overall — 78 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 $8,999)
Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue 3-Pickup, Light Aged, Ebony wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 65)
  • Better sound (79 vs 68)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue 3-Pickup, Light Aged, Ebony
Overall6878
Build6587
Playability7575
Sound6879
Value6668

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue 3-Pickup, Light Aged, Ebony
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—US
Body woodMahogany1-Piece Mahogany
Neck wood1 Piece MahoganySolid Mahogany
FretboardLaurelEbony
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsGibson Burstbucker 2 / Gibson BurstBucker 3Custombucker Alnico 3 / Custombucker Alnico 3
Rating——
Price$899$8,999
AccessoriesCertificate of Authenticity—
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and Fretboard—
Body FinishAged GlossMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeLes PaulLes Paul
Body StylesLes PaulLes Paul
BridgeEpiphone LockTone Tune-O-MaticABR-1
Bridge pickupGibson BurstBucker 3Custombucker Alnico 3
CaseIncludes Vintage-Style Case with BONAMASSA Nerdville, CA GraphicHardshell
Control CoversBlackTrue Historic; Custom Shop Medallion
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial PointersTrue Historic Black Top Hat
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, with 50s Wiring, CTS Potentiometers, and Mallory Capacitors3 Volume, Master Tone, Vintage Taper Potentiometers, Paper in Oil Capacitors
FinishNickelGold; Murphy Lab Light Aged
Fretboard inlayPearloid TrapezoidMother of Pearl Custom Block
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2222
Headstock60s Kalamazoo—
Headstock InlayEpiphone logo in Mother of Pearl, Les Paul Model in Gold SilkscreenGibson Logo and Custom Split Block Inlay in Mother of Pearl
Jack Plate CoverCream—
JointGlued in, Long TenonGlued In, Set Neck; Hide Glue Fit
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH3CUS18834
Mounting RingsCreamTrue Historic Black
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 2Custombucker Alnico 3
NutGraph TechNylon
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42.86mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4" Switchcraft
PickguardCreamTrue Historic
Pickup CoversNickel—
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft Toggle3-way Switchcraft Toggle
Profile50s Rounded Medium C50s Rounded Medium C
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap Buttons2 - Bottom and Shoulder2 - Brass
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch TipAmberTrue Historic Amber
SwitchwasherCream with Gold TextTrue Historic Black
TailpieceEpiphone LockTone Stop BarStop Bar
Top woodMaple with Wide Grain AAAA Flame Maple Veneer—
Truss rod2-Way AdjustableAuthentic 1950s No-Tube
Truss Rod CoverBell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White)True Historic
Tuner PlatingNickelGold
TunersEpiphone Deluxe with Tulip KeysKluson Waffleback with Plastic Buttons
Middle pickup—Custombucker Alnico 3

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