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Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs Gibson 1963 Les Paul SG Custom Reissue, VOS, Classic White

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus
Electric$899
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
Gibson 1963 Les Paul SG Custom Reissue, VOS, Classic White
Electric$6,699
No ratings yet
78Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1963 Les Paul SG Custom Reissue, VOS, Classic White comes out ahead overall — 78 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 $6,699)
Gibson 1963 Les Paul SG Custom Reissue, VOS, Classic White wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 65)
  • Better sound (79 vs 68)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1963 Les Paul SG Custom Reissue, VOS, Classic White
Overall6878
Build6587
Playability7575
Sound6879
Value6668

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1963 Les Paul SG Custom Reissue, VOS, Classic White
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—US
Body woodMahoganySolid Mahogany
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$6,699
AccessoriesCertificate of AuthenticityCertificate of Authenticity Booklet, Historic Reissue Hang Tags
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and Fretboard—
Body FinishAged GlossVOS Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeLes PaulSG
Body StylesLes PaulSG
BridgeEpiphone LockTone Tune-O-MaticABR-1
Bridge pickupGibson BurstBucker 3Custombucker Alnico 3
CaseIncludes Vintage-Style Case with BONAMASSA Nerdville, CA GraphicCustom Shop Hardshell
Control CoversBlackWhite
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial PointersBlack Top Hats w/ Gold Inserts
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, with 50s Wiring, CTS Potentiometers, and Mallory Capacitors2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Black Beauty 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
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH3SGC63VOCWGM1
Mounting RingsCreamBlack M69
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 2Custombucker Alnico 3
NutGraph TechNylon
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42.85mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4" Switchcraft
PickguardCreamWhite Multi-Ply
Pickup CoversNickelAuthentic Profile Gold-plated Nickel Silver
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft Toggle3-Way Switchcraft
Profile50s Rounded Medium C60s SlimTaper
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 TipAmberCream
SwitchwasherCream with Gold TextSilkscreened Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
TailpieceEpiphone LockTone Stop BarLong Maestro Vibrola
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
End Of Board Width—56.89mm / 2.24in
Middle pickup—Custombucker Alnico 3
Weight Relief—None

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