Skip to content
GuitarBase
Head to head

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs Gibson 1963 SG Special Reissue, Light Aged, TV Pelham Blue Sparkle

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus
Electric$899
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
Gibson 1963 SG Special Reissue, Light Aged, TV Pelham Blue Sparkle
Electric$6,299
No ratings yet
76Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1963 SG Special Reissue, Light Aged, TV Pelham Blue Sparkle comes out ahead overall — 76 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 $6,299)
Gibson 1963 SG Special Reissue, Light Aged, TV Pelham Blue Sparkle wins on
  • Better build (84 vs 65)
  • Better sound (74 vs 68)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1963 SG Special Reissue, Light Aged, TV Pelham Blue Sparkle
Overall6876
Build6584
Playability7575
Sound6874
Value6666

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1963 SG Special Reissue, Light Aged, TV Pelham Blue Sparkle
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—US
Body woodMahoganySolid Mahogany
Neck wood1 Piece Mahogany1 Piece Mahogany
FretboardLaurelIndian Rosewood
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsGibson Burstbucker 2 / Gibson BurstBucker 3Custom Soapbar P-90 / Custom Soapbar P-90
Rating——
Price$899$6,299
AccessoriesCertificate of AuthenticityCertificate of Authenticity
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and FretboardFretboard 1-ply Cream
Body FinishAged GlossMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeLes PaulSG
Body StylesLes PaulSG
BridgeEpiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic—
Bridge pickupGibson BurstBucker 3Custom Soapbar P-90
CaseIncludes Vintage-Style Case with BONAMASSA Nerdville, CA GraphicBrown/Pink Lifton Reissue 5-Latch case
Control CoversBlackBlack
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial PointersBlack Top Hat with Silver Insert
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, with 50s Wiring, CTS Potentiometers, and Mallory Capacitors2 Volume, 2 Tone, 500K CTS Audio-Taper Potentiometers, Bumblebee Capacitors, Hand-Wired Harness
FinishNickelNickel; Murphy Lab Light Aged
Fretboard inlayPearloid TrapezoidPearloid Dot
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 TenonLong Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH3SGSP63PSL000000493
Mounting RingsCream—
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 2Custom Soapbar P-90
NutGraph TechNylon
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42.85mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4" Switchcraft
PickguardCream3-Ply Black/White/Black
Pickup CoversNickelBlack Soapbar
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft Toggle3-Way Switchcraft
Profile50s Rounded Medium CAuthentic '61 Thin Profile
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 TextBlack
TailpieceEpiphone LockTone Stop BarLightning Bar Wraparound
Top woodMaple with Wide Grain AAAA Flame Maple Veneer—
Truss rod2-Way AdjustableAuthentic 1950s No-Tube
Truss Rod CoverBell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White)2-Ply Black/White
Tuner PlatingNickelNickel
TunersEpiphone Deluxe with Tulip KeysKluson 3 on a side with White Buttons
End Of Board Width—56.89mm / 2.24in
Weight Relief—None

More Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus comparisons