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Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs Gibson 1963 Firebird V with Maestro Vibrola, Light Aged, Cardinal Red

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus
Electric$899
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
Gibson 1963 Firebird V with Maestro Vibrola, Light Aged, Cardinal Red
Electric$8,799
No ratings yet
75Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1963 Firebird V with Maestro Vibrola, Light Aged, Cardinal Red 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 $8,799)
Gibson 1963 Firebird V with Maestro Vibrola, Light Aged, Cardinal Red wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 65)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1963 Firebird V with Maestro Vibrola, Light Aged, Cardinal Red
Overall6875
Build6587
Playability7575
Sound6868
Value6665

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1963 Firebird V with Maestro Vibrola, Light Aged, Cardinal Red
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—US
Body woodMahoganyLayered Mahogany
Neck wood1 Piece Mahogany9-ply Mahogany/Walnut Neck-Through
FretboardLaurelIndian Rosewood
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsGibson Burstbucker 2 / Gibson BurstBucker 3Firebird Alnico 5 / Firebird Alnico 5
Rating——
Price$899$8,799
AccessoriesCertificate of AuthenticityCertificate of Authenticity
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and Fretboard—
Body FinishAged GlossMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeLes PaulFirebird
Body StylesLes PaulFirebird
BridgeEpiphone LockTone Tune-O-MaticABR-1
Bridge pickupGibson BurstBucker 3Firebird Alnico 5
CaseIncludes Vintage-Style Case with BONAMASSA Nerdville, CA GraphicCustom Shop Hardshell
Control CoversBlackBlack
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial PointersBlack Top Hats with Silver Inserts
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, with 50s Wiring, CTS Potentiometers, and Mallory Capacitors2 Volume, 2 Tone, 500K CTS Potentiometers, Hand-Wired Harness with Black Beauty Capacitors
FinishNickelNickel; Murphy Lab Light Aged
Fretboard inlayPearloid TrapezoidAged Cellulose Nitrate Trapezoid
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 CoverCream—
JointGlued in, Long TenonNeck-Through Construction
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH3FB5LACRNM1
Mounting RingsCream—
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 2Firebird Alnico 5
NutGraph TechNylon
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42.85mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4" Switchcraft
PickguardCream3-Ply White/Black/White Firebird Hot-stamped
Pickup CoversNickelNickel
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft Toggle3-Way Switchcraft
Profile50s Rounded Medium CMedium C
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap Buttons2 - Bottom and ShoulderAluminum
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch TipAmberCream
SwitchwasherCream with Gold Text—
TailpieceEpiphone LockTone Stop BarMaestro Vibrola
Top woodMaple with Wide Grain AAAA Flame Maple Veneer—
Truss rod2-Way Adjustable2-way Adjustable
Truss Rod CoverBell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White)Black 1-Ply Gibson Hot-stamped
Tuner PlatingNickelNickel
TunersEpiphone Deluxe with Tulip KeysDeluxe Banjo Tuners
End Of Board Width—56.89mm / 2.24in
Saddle Material—Nickel-plated Brass
Weight Relief—None

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