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Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs Gibson 1957 Les Paul Junior Reissue with Bigsby, Light Aged, Vintage Sunburst

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus
Electric$899
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
Gibson 1957 Les Paul Junior Reissue with Bigsby, Light Aged, Vintage Sunburst
Electric$6,199
No ratings yet
72Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1957 Les Paul Junior Reissue with Bigsby, Light Aged, Vintage Sunburst comes out ahead overall — 72 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
  • Better sound (68 vs 60)
  • Lower price ($899 vs $6,199)
Gibson 1957 Les Paul Junior Reissue with Bigsby, Light Aged, Vintage Sunburst wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 65)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1957 Les Paul Junior Reissue with Bigsby, Light Aged, Vintage Sunburst
Overall6872
Build6587
Playability7575
Sound6860
Value6662

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1957 Les Paul Junior Reissue with Bigsby, Light Aged, Vintage Sunburst
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—US
Body woodMahoganySolid Mahogany
Neck wood1 Piece MahoganySolid Mahogany
FretboardLaurelRosewood
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsGibson Burstbucker 2 / Gibson BurstBucker 3Dogear P-90
Rating——
Price$899$6,199
AccessoriesCertificate of AuthenticityCertificate of Authenticity Booklet
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 3Dogear P-90
CaseIncludes Vintage-Style Case with BONAMASSA Nerdville, CA GraphicCustom Shop Hardshell
Control CoversBlack—
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial PointersGold Top Hat
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, with 50s Wiring, CTS Potentiometers, and Mallory Capacitors1 Volume, 1 Tone; Hand-wired with CTS 500k Potentiometers
FinishNickelNickel
Fretboard inlayPearloid TrapezoidCelluloid Dot
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2222
Headstock60s Kalamazoo—
Headstock InlayEpiphone logo in Mother of Pearl, Les Paul Model in Gold Silkscreen—
Jack Plate CoverCream—
JointGlued in, Long TenonLong Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH3LPJRSC57PSL21893
Mounting RingsCream—
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 2—
NutGraph TechNylon
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42.85mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4" Switchcraft
PickguardCreamBlack
Pickup CoversNickel—
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft Toggle—
Profile50s Rounded Medium C1950s Chunky D-Shape
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap Buttons2 - Bottom and Shoulder2
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch TipAmber—
SwitchwasherCream with Gold Text—
TailpieceEpiphone LockTone Stop BarBigsby
Top woodMaple with Wide Grain AAAA Flame Maple Veneer—
Truss rod2-Way AdjustableAuthentic 1950s No-Tube
Truss Rod CoverBell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White)Single-Ply Black
Tuner PlatingNickel—
TunersEpiphone Deluxe with Tulip KeysKluson 3 on a Side, White Button
Weight Relief—None

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