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Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs Gibson 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V Reissue, VOS, Vintage Sunburst

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus
Electric$899
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
Gibson 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V Reissue, VOS, Vintage Sunburst
Electric$4,499
No ratings yet
75Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V Reissue, VOS, Vintage Sunburst 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 $4,499)
Gibson 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V Reissue, VOS, Vintage Sunburst wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 65)

Scorecard

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

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V Reissue, VOS, Vintage Sunburst
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—US
Body woodMahoganySolid Mahogany
Neck wood1 Piece MahoganySolid Mahogany
FretboardLaurelIndian Rosewood
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsGibson Burstbucker 2 / Gibson BurstBucker 3Firebird Alnico 5 / Firebird Alnico V
Rating——
Price$899$4,499
AccessoriesCertificate of AuthenticityCertificate of Authenticity
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and FretboardNone
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 V
CaseIncludes Vintage-Style Case with BONAMASSA Nerdville, CA GraphicCustom Shop Black with Yellow Lining
Control CoversBlackBlack
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial PointersGold Top Hats w/ Silver Inserts
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, with 50s Wiring, CTS Potentiometers, and Mallory Capacitors2 500K CTS Volume Pots, 2 500K CTS Tone Pots, Hand-Wired Harness
FinishNickelNickel
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 TenonHide Glue Fit
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH3FBNR5VOVSNM1
Mounting RingsCream—
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 2Firebird Alnico 5
NutGraph TechNylon
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42.85mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" SwitchcraftSwitchcraft
PickguardCream3-Ply White/Black/White
Pickup CoversNickel—
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft Toggle3-Way Switchcraft
Profile50s Rounded Medium C60s SlimTaper 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 Keys—
End Of Board Width—56.89mm / 2.24in
Saddle Material—Nickel-plated Brass
Weight Relief—None

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