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Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs Gibson 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V 12-String Reissue, Aqua Mist VOS

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus
Electric$899
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
Gibson 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V 12-String Reissue, Aqua Mist VOS
Electric$5,999
No ratings yet
75Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V 12-String Reissue, Aqua Mist VOS 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 $5,999)
Gibson 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V 12-String Reissue, Aqua Mist VOS wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 65)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V 12-String Reissue, Aqua Mist VOS
Overall6875
Build6587
Playability7575
Sound6868
Value6665

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V 12-String Reissue, Aqua Mist VOS
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—US
Body woodMahoganyMahogany
Neck wood1 Piece MahoganyMahogany
FretboardLaurelIndian Rosewood
Strings611
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsGibson Burstbucker 2 / Gibson BurstBucker 3Firebird Alnico 5 / Firebird Alnico 5
Rating——
Price$899$5,999
AccessoriesCertificate of Authenticity—
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and Fretboard—
Body FinishAged GlossNitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina)
Body shapeLes PaulNon-Reverse Firebird
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 CoversBlackNon-Reverse Firebird
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial PointersGold Top Hat with Silver Insert
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, with 50s Wiring, CTS Potentiometers, and Mallory Capacitors2 Volume, 2 Tone, 500k CTS Potentiometers, Bumblebee Capacitors, Hand-wired Harness
FinishNickelAged Nickel
Fretboard inlayPearloid TrapezoidNitrocellulose 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 SilkscreenGibson Logo and Split Diamond-Inspired Twin Triangle Inlays in Mother of Pearl
Jack Plate CoverCream—
JointGlued in, Long TenonHide Glue Fit
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH3FBNR12VOAQNH1
Mounting RingsCream—
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 2Firebird Alnico 5
NutGraph TechCorian
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42.86mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" SwitchcraftSwitchcraft 1/4"
PickguardCream3-ply White Non-Reverse Firebird
Pickup CoversNickel—
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft Toggle3-way Slider
Profile50s Rounded Medium C60s SlimTaper C
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap Buttons2 - Bottom and Shoulder2
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046.010, 010, .013, .013, .008, .017, .012, .026, .018, .036, .026, .046
Switch TipAmber—
SwitchwasherCream with Gold Text—
TailpieceEpiphone LockTone Stop Bar12-String Claw
Top woodMaple with Wide Grain AAAA Flame Maple Veneer—
Truss rod2-Way AdjustableStandard
Truss Rod CoverBell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White)Black
Tuner PlatingNickel—
TunersEpiphone Deluxe with Tulip KeysKluson Six on a Side Strip (x2)
End Of Board Width—56.89mm / 2.24in

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