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Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs Gibson 1959 ES-355 Reissue, Ultra Light Aged, Ebony

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus
Electric$899
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
Gibson 1959 ES-355 Reissue, Ultra Light Aged, Ebony
Electric$7,499
No ratings yet
77Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1959 ES-355 Reissue, Ultra Light Aged, Ebony 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 $7,499)
Gibson 1959 ES-355 Reissue, Ultra Light Aged, Ebony wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 65)
  • Better sound (74 vs 68)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1959 ES-355 Reissue, Ultra Light Aged, Ebony
Overall6877
Build6587
Playability7575
Sound6874
Value6667

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1959 ES-355 Reissue, Ultra Light Aged, Ebony
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—US
Body woodMahogany3-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple
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$7,499
AccessoriesCertificate of AuthenticityCertificate of Authenticity
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and FretboardMulti-ply
Body FinishAged GlossMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeLes PaulES-335
Body StylesLes PaulES
BridgeEpiphone LockTone Tune-O-MaticABR-1
Bridge pickupGibson BurstBucker 3Custombucker Alnico 3
CaseIncludes Vintage-Style Case with BONAMASSA Nerdville, CA GraphicLifton™ 5-latch Custom Shop Hardshell
Control CoversBlack—
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial PointersBlack Butyrate Top Hats with Dial Pointers
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, with 50s Wiring, CTS Potentiometers, and Mallory Capacitors2 Volume, 2 Tone; CTS® 500 k Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
FinishNickelGold; Murphy Lab Light Aged
Fretboard inlayPearloid Trapezoid1950s Pattern Mother of Pearl
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 Diamond in Mother of Pearl
Jack Plate CoverCream—
JointGlued in, Long TenonLong Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH359ES355ULEBGH1
Mounting RingsCreamBlack M69 Medium & Tall
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 2Custombucker Alnico 3
NutGraph TechNylon
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42.85mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4" Switchcraft
PickguardCreamMulti-Ply Bound Celluloid
Pickup CoversNickelAuthentic Profile Gold-plated Nickel Silver
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft Toggle3-Way Switchcraft
Profile50s Rounded Medium CMedium C
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap Buttons2 - Bottom and ShoulderCream Plastic
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 AdjustableAuthentic 1950s No-Tube
Truss Rod CoverBell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White)Authentic Stepped 2-Ply
Tuner PlatingNickelGold
TunersEpiphone Deluxe with Tulip KeysGrover Kidney
Centerblock—Solid Maple
End Of Board Width—56.89mm / 2.24in
Saddle Material—Nickel-plated Brass
Weight Relief—None

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