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Head to head

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer, Walnut

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus
Electric$899
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer, Walnut
Electric$4,999
No ratings yet
75Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer, Walnut comes out ahead overall — 75 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 $4,999)
Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer, Walnut wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 65)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1958 Mahogany Explorer, Walnut
Overall6875
Build6587
Playability7575
Sound6868
Value6665

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1958 Mahogany Explorer, Walnut
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—US
Body woodMahoganySolid Mahogany
Neck wood1 Piece MahoganySolid Mahogany
FretboardLaurelIndian Rosewood, Hide Glue Fit
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsGibson Burstbucker 2 / Gibson BurstBucker 3Custombucker Alnico 3 / Custombucker Alnico 3
Rating——
Price$899$4,999
AccessoriesCertificate of AuthenticityCertificate of Authenticity
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and FretboardNone
Body FinishAged GlossNitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina)
Body shapeLes PaulExplorer
Body StylesLes PaulExplorer
BridgeEpiphone LockTone Tune-O-MaticABR-1
Bridge pickupGibson BurstBucker 3Custombucker Alnico 3
CaseIncludes Vintage-Style Case with BONAMASSA Nerdville, CA GraphicCustom Shop Hardshell
Control CoversBlack—
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial PointersAmber Butyrate Top Hats
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, with 50s Wiring, CTS Potentiometers, and Mallory Capacitors2 500K CTS Volume Pots, 1 500K CTS Tone Pot, Hand-Wired Harness
FinishNickelGold
Fretboard inlayPearloid TrapezoidPearloid 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 CoverCreamBlack Multi-Ply
JointGlued in, Long TenonLong Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH3EXM58VOWLGH1
Mounting RingsCreamBlack M69
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 2Custombucker Alnico 3
NutGraph TechNylon
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42.85mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" SwitchcraftSwitchcraft
PickguardCream—
Pickup CoversNickelAuthentic Profile Gold-plated
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft Toggle3-Way Switchcraft
Profile50s Rounded Medium CC
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap Buttons2 - Bottom and ShoulderBrass
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch TipAmberAmber Catalin
SwitchwasherCream with Gold Text—
TailpieceEpiphone LockTone Stop BarLightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Top woodMaple with Wide Grain AAAA Flame Maple Veneer—
Truss rod2-Way Adjustable—
Truss Rod CoverBell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White)—
Tuner PlatingNickelGold
TunersEpiphone Deluxe with Tulip Keys—
End Of Board Width—56.89mm / 2.24in
Saddle Material—Gold-plated Brass
Weight Relief—None

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