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Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs Gibson 1959 ES-355 Reissue, VOS, Vintage Natural

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus
Electric$899
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
Gibson 1959 ES-355 Reissue, VOS, Vintage Natural
Electric$6,999
No ratings yet
77Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1959 ES-355 Reissue, VOS, Vintage 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 $6,999)
Gibson 1959 ES-355 Reissue, VOS, Vintage Natural 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, VOS, Vintage Natural
Overall6877
Build6587
Playability7575
Sound6874
Value6667

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1959 ES-355 Reissue, VOS, Vintage Natural
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 / Custombucker
Rating——
Price$899$6,999
AccessoriesCertificate of AuthenticityCertificate of Authenticity
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and FretboardMulti-ply
Body FinishAged GlossVOS nitrocellulose lacquer
Body shapeLes PaulES-335
Body StylesLes Paul—
BridgeEpiphone LockTone Tune-O-MaticABR-1
Bridge pickupGibson BurstBucker 3Custombucker
CaseIncludes Vintage-Style Case with BONAMASSA Nerdville, CA GraphicLifton™ Custom Shop Hardshell
Control CoversBlack—
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial PointersGold Top Hat
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
Fretboard inlayPearloid TrapezoidMother of Pearl 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 Split Diamond inlay in mother of pearl
Jack Plate CoverCream—
JointGlued in, Long TenonLong Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH359ES355VOVNGH1
Mounting RingsCreamBlack M69
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 2Custombucker
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 Toggle
Profile50s Rounded Medium C50s Rounded Medium 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 Rotomatic with Kidney Button
Centerblock—Maple
Saddle Material—Nickel-plated Brass

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