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Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom Reissue, Ultra Light Aged, Ebony

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus
Electric$899
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom Reissue, Ultra Light Aged, Ebony
Electric$6,699
No ratings yet
75Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom Reissue, Ultra Light Aged, Ebony 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 $6,699)
Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom Reissue, Ultra Light Aged, Ebony wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 65)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1968 Les Paul Custom Reissue, Ultra Light Aged, Ebony
Overall6875
Build6587
Playability7575
Sound6868
Value6665

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus1968 Les Paul Custom Reissue, Ultra Light Aged, Ebony
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—US
Body woodMahogany1-Piece Mahogany
Neck wood1 Piece MahoganySolid Mahogany
FretboardLaurelEbony
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsGibson Burstbucker 2 / Gibson BurstBucker 31968 T-Top Reissue / 1968 T-Top Reissue
Rating——
Price$899$6,699
AccessoriesCertificate of AuthenticityCertificate of Authenticity, Mounted Custom Shop Switch Plate Medallion; Reissue Switch Backplate in Case
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and FretboardMulti-ply
Body FinishAged GlossMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeLes PaulLes Paul
Body StylesLes PaulLes Paul,Single Cut
BridgeEpiphone LockTone Tune-O-MaticABR-1 (Wired)
Bridge pickupGibson BurstBucker 31968 T-Top Reissue
CaseIncludes Vintage-Style Case with BONAMASSA Nerdville, CA GraphicCustom Shop Hardshell
Control CoversBlackBlack
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial PointersBlack Witch Hats with Gold 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
FinishNickelGold; Murphy Lab Light Aged
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 Custom Split Diamond in Mother of Pearl
Jack Plate CoverCreamBlack Multi-Ply
JointGlued in, Long TenonLong Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH3LPC68ULEBGH1
Mounting RingsCreamBlack M69
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 21968 T-Top Reissue
NutGraph TechNylon
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42.85mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4" Switchcraft
PickguardCreamBlack Multi-Ply
Pickup CoversNickelAuthentic Profile Gold-plated Nickel Silver
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft Toggle3-Way Switchcraft
Profile50s Rounded Medium CMedium C
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 TextBlack
TailpieceEpiphone LockTone Stop BarStop Bar
Top woodMaple with Wide Grain AAAA Flame Maple Veneer2-Piece Plain Maple
Truss rod2-Way Adjustable2-way Adjustable
Truss Rod CoverBell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White)Authentic 2-Ply Les Paul Custom
Tuner PlatingNickelGold
TunersEpiphone Deluxe with Tulip KeysKluson Waffleback
Back—1-Piece Mahogany
End Of Board Width—56.89mm / 2.24in
Weight Relief—None

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