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Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Antique Natural

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus
Electric$899
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Antique Natural
Electric$5,499
No ratings yet
77Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Antique Natural comes out ahead overall — 77 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 $5,499)
Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Antique Natural wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 65)
  • Better sound (74 vs 68)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Antique Natural
Overall6877
Build6587
Playability7575
Sound6874
Value6667

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Antique Natural
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—US
Body woodMahogany2-piece Mahogany
Neck wood1 Piece MahoganyMahogany
FretboardLaurelIndian Rosewood
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsGibson Burstbucker 2 / Gibson BurstBucker 3Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted) / Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Rating——
Price$899$5,499
AccessoriesCertificate of Authenticity—
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and Fretboard—
Body FinishAged GlossNitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina)
Body shapeLes PaulExplorer
Body StylesLes PaulExplorer
BridgeEpiphone LockTone Tune-O-MaticABR-1 No-Wire
Bridge pickupGibson BurstBucker 3Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
CaseIncludes Vintage-Style Case with BONAMASSA Nerdville, CA GraphicHistoric Explorer Brown/Pink Hardshell
Control CoversBlackBrown Explorer
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial PointersTrue Historic Black Top Hat with Dial Pointer
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, with 50s Wiring, CTS Potentiometers, and Mallory Capacitors2 Volume, 1 Tone, 500K CTS Vintage Taper Potentiometers, Phone Book Capacitor
FinishNickelAged Gold
Fretboard inlayPearloid TrapezoidCellulose Dot
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2222
Headstock60s Kalamazoo1958 Explorer
Headstock InlayEpiphone logo in Mother of Pearl, Les Paul Model in Gold SilkscreenGibson Logo in Mother of Pearl
Jack Plate CoverCream—
JointGlued in, Long TenonHide Glue Fit
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH358MEXPANVOGH1
Mounting RingsCreamTrue Historic Black
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 2Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
NutGraph TechNylon
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42.8mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4" Switchcraft
PickguardCream4-ply White
Pickup CoversNickelTrue Historic Aged Gold
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft Toggle3-Way Switchcraft
Profile50s Rounded Medium C50s Vintage
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 Text—
TailpieceEpiphone LockTone Stop BarLightweight Aluminum Stop 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 Black
Tuner PlatingNickelAged Gold
TunersEpiphone Deluxe with Tulip KeysKluson Single Ring Reissue

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