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Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs Gibson Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, Polaris White

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus
Electric$899
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
Gibson Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, Polaris White
Electric$8,999
No ratings yet
75Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, Polaris White 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 $8,999)
Gibson Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, Polaris White wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 65)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, LazarusJohnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, Polaris White
Overall6875
Build6587
Playability7575
Sound6868
Value6665

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, LazarusJohnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, Polaris White
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—US
Body woodMahoganyLayered Mahogany
Neck wood1 Piece Mahogany5-piece Mahogany/Walnut Neck-Through
FretboardLaurelIndian Rosewood
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsGibson Burstbucker 2 / Gibson BurstBucker 3Firebird Alnico 5 / Firebird Alnico 5
Rating——
Price$899$8,999
AccessoriesCertificate of Authenticity—
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and FretboardFretboard 1-ply Cream
Body FinishAged GlossMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeLes PaulFirebird
Body StylesLes PaulFirebird
BridgeEpiphone LockTone Tune-O-MaticNo-Wire ABR-1
Bridge pickupGibson BurstBucker 3Firebird Alnico 5
CaseIncludes Vintage-Style Case with BONAMASSA Nerdville, CA GraphicCustom Shop Hardshell
Control CoversBlackBlack
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial PointersTrue Historic Black Top Hats with Silver Inserts
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, with 50s Wiring, CTS Potentiometers, and Mallory Capacitors2 Volume, 2 Tone, 500K CTS Potentiometers, Hand-Wired Harness
FinishNickelNickel and Chrome
Fretboard inlayPearloid TrapezoidAged Celluloid Trapezoids
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 TenonNeck-Through Construction
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH3FB5JWAPWNH1
Mounting RingsCreamFirebird Nickel
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 2Firebird Alnico 5
NutGraph TechCorian
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42.86mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4" Switchcraft
PickguardCream3-Ply White/Black/White
Pickup CoversNickel—
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft Toggle3-Way Switchcraft
Profile50s Rounded Medium CMedium C
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap Buttons2 - Bottom and Shoulder3 - Upper Bout, Heel, and Bottom
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch TipAmberChrome
SwitchwasherCream with Gold Text—
TailpieceEpiphone LockTone Stop BarChrome Plated Aluminum Stop Bar
Top woodMaple with Wide Grain AAAA Flame Maple Veneer—
Truss rod2-Way AdjustableStandard
Truss Rod CoverBell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White)Black, No Stamp
Tuner PlatingNickelNickel
TunersEpiphone Deluxe with Tulip KeysDeluxe Banjo Tuners
Side—Solid Mahogany Wings
Weight Relief—None

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