Skip to content
GuitarBase
Head to head

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs Gibson B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355, Walnut

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus
Electric$899
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
Gibson B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355, Walnut
Electric$9,999
No ratings yet
77Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355, Walnut comes out ahead overall — 77 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 $9,999)
Gibson B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355, Walnut wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 65)
  • Better sound (74 vs 68)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, LazarusB.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355, Walnut
Overall6877
Build6587
Playability7575
Sound6874
Value6667

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, LazarusB.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355, Walnut
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—US
Body woodMahoganyPlain Laminated Maple
Neck wood1 Piece Mahogany3-piece Mahogany
FretboardLaurelEbony
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsGibson Burstbucker 2 / Gibson BurstBucker 3T-Type Custombucker Alnico 5 / T-Type Custombucker Alnico 5
Rating——
Price$899$9,999
AccessoriesCertificate of Authenticity—
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and FretboardMulti-ply Top, Back, and Headstock; Single-ply Fretboard and F-Holes
Body FinishAged GlossMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeLes PaulES-335
Body StylesLes PaulES
BridgeEpiphone LockTone Tune-O-MaticTune-O-Matic
Bridge pickupGibson BurstBucker 3T-Type Custombucker Alnico 5
CaseIncludes Vintage-Style Case with BONAMASSA Nerdville, CA GraphicB.B. King Zaire Hardshell
Control CoversBlack—
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial PointersBlack Witch Hat with Gold Insert
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, with 50s Wiring, CTS Potentiometers, and Mallory Capacitors2 Volume, 2 Tone, 6-Position Mono Varitone; Vintage Taper Potentiometers, Ceramic Capacitors
FinishNickelAged Gold
Fretboard inlayPearloid TrapezoidMother-of-Pearl Custom 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 Spilt Diamond in Mother of Pearl
Jack Plate CoverCream—
JointGlued in, Long TenonGlued In, Set Neck, Hide Glue Fit
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH3BBES355ZWGH1
Mounting RingsCreamBlack
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 2T-Type Custombucker Alnico 5
NutGraph TechCorian
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42.85mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" SwitchcraftSwitchcraft 1/4"
PickguardCream5-ply Tortoise
Pickup CoversNickelTrue Historic Gold
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft ToggleSwitchcraft 3-way Toggle
Profile50s Rounded Medium CArtist Profile
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap Buttons2 - Bottom and Shoulder2
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch TipAmberCream
SwitchwasherCream with Gold TextGold Varitone Plate & Black Chicken Head Knob (Varitone Switch)
TailpieceEpiphone LockTone Stop BarMaestro Vibrola
Top woodMaple with Wide Grain AAAA Flame Maple VeneerPlain Laminated Maple
Truss rod2-Way AdjustableReissue
Truss Rod CoverBell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White)Black; Engraved Stereo
Tuner PlatingNickelAged Gold
TunersEpiphone Deluxe with Tulip KeysKluson Waffleback with Metal Button
Back—Plain Laminated Maple
Bracing—Red Spruce
Centerblock—Lightweight Solid Maple
End Of Board Width—52.37mm / 2.06in
Side—Plain Laminated Maple

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