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Head to head

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue Limited Edition Murphy Lab Aged With Brazilian Rosewood, Tom's Cherry

The verdict

The Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue Limited Edition Murphy Lab Aged With Brazilian Rosewood, Tom's Cherry 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 $19,999)
Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue Limited Edition Murphy Lab Aged With Brazilian Rosewood, Tom's Cherry wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 65)
  • Better sound (74 vs 68)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue Limited Edition Murphy Lab Aged With Brazilian Rosewood, Tom's Cherry
Overall6877
Build6587
Playability7575
Sound6874
Value6667

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue Limited Edition Murphy Lab Aged With Brazilian Rosewood, Tom's Cherry
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years
CountryUS
Body woodMahoganySuper Lightweight Mahogany
Neck wood1 Piece MahoganySolid Mahogany
FretboardLaurelBrazilian Rosewood
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsGibson Burstbucker 2 / Gibson BurstBucker 3Custombucker Alnico 5 Magnet Zebra Coils / Custombucker Alnico 5 Magnet Zebra Coils
Rating
Price$899$19,999
AccessoriesCertificate of AuthenticityLeather Bound Certificate of Authenticity, Mounted Custom Shop Switchplate Medallion; Reissue Switch Backplate in Case
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and FretboardSingle-ply Cream Royalite, Top and Fretboard
Body FinishAged GlossMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeLes PaulLes Paul
Body StylesLes PaulLes Paul
BridgeEpiphone LockTone Tune-O-MaticABR-1 Historic Reissue
Bridge pickupGibson BurstBucker 3Custombucker Alnico 5 Magnet Zebra Coils
CaseIncludes Vintage-Style Case with BONAMASSA Nerdville, CA GraphicAged Brown/Pink Lifton Reissue 5-Latch Case
Control CoversBlackBlack Royalite; Gibson Custom Shop Medallion Switchplate Cover, Blank Switchplate Cover in the Case
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial PointersGold Butyrate Top Hat
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, with 50s Wiring, CTS Potentiometers, and Mallory Capacitors2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
FinishNickelNickel; Murphy Lab Aged
Fretboard inlayPearloid TrapezoidAged Cellulose Nitrate Trapezoid
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2222
Headstock60s KalamazooSerial Number: 9 4071
Headstock InlayEpiphone logo in Mother of Pearl, Les Paul Model in Gold SilkscreenGibson logo in Mother of Pearl, Les Paul Model silkscreen
Jack Plate CoverCreamLaminated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
JointGlued in, Long TenonLong Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH3LPR59PSL21491B
Mounting RingsCreamM69 Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 2Custombucker Alnico 5 Magnet Zebra Coils
NutGraph TechNylon
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42.85mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4" Switchcraft
PickguardCreamLaminated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Pickup CoversNickelMurphy Lab Aged Nickel
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft Toggle3-way Switchcraft
Profile50s Rounded Medium C50s Rounded Medium C
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap Buttons2 - Bottom and Shoulder2 - True Historic, Bottom and Shoulder
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch TipAmberAmber Catalin
SwitchwasherCream with Gold TextReplica Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
TailpieceEpiphone LockTone Stop BarLightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Top woodMaple with Wide Grain AAAA Flame Maple VeneerHand-Selected AAAA Figured Maple
Truss rod2-Way AdjustableAuthentic 1950s No-Tube
Truss Rod CoverBell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White)Authentic Stepped 2-Ply
Tuner PlatingNickelNickel; Murphy Lab Aged
TunersEpiphone Deluxe with Tulip KeysKluson Single Line, Single Ring
End Of Board Width56.89mm / 2.24in
Plastic PartsMurphy Lab Aged
Saddle MaterialNickel-plated Brass
Weight ReliefNone

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