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Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus vs Gibson Kirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom, Ebony

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Lazarus
Electric$899
No ratings yet
68Overall / 100
Gibson Kirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom, Ebony
Electric$8,999
No ratings yet
75Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson Kirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom, 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 $8,999)
Gibson Kirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom, Ebony wins on
  • Better build (87 vs 65)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, LazarusKirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom, Ebony
Overall6875
Build6587
Playability7575
Sound6868
Value6665

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJoe Bonamassa "Lazarus" 1959 Les Paul Standard, LazarusKirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom, Ebony
BrandEpiphoneGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
Country—US
Body woodMahoganyOne Piece Mahogany
Neck wood1 Piece MahoganyOne Piece Mahogany
FretboardLaurelEbony
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsGibson Burstbucker 2 / Gibson BurstBucker 3T-Type / T-Type
Rating——
Price$899$8,999
AccessoriesCertificate of AuthenticityCertificate of Authenticity
BindingSingle-ply Cream, Top and Fretboard7-ply Top, 5-ply Back and Headstock, Single-ply Fretboard
Body FinishAged GlossMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeLes PaulLes Paul
Body StylesLes PaulLes Paul
BridgeEpiphone LockTone Tune-O-MaticFishman Powerbridge
Bridge pickupGibson BurstBucker 3T-Type
CaseIncludes Vintage-Style Case with BONAMASSA Nerdville, CA GraphicGibson Deluxe Protector Case
Control CoversBlackCustom Shop Medallion and Black
Control KnobsGold Top Hat with Dial PointersBlack Speed
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, with 50s Wiring, CTS Potentiometers, and Mallory Capacitors2 Volume (for Neck and Bridge Pickups), Master Tone, Fishman Powerbridge Volume
FinishNickelBlack
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 Split Diamond in Mother of Pearl
Jack Plate CoverCreamBlack
JointGlued in, Long TenonGlued In, Set Neck; Long Neck Tenon
ModelEIGCJB59LZNH3CSKH89LPCEBBC1
Mounting RingsCreamBlack
Neck pickupGibson Burstbucker 2T-Type
NutGraph TechCorian
Nut width43.0mm / 1.69in42.85mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4"
PickguardCream—
Pickup CoversNickelNone
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft Toggle3-way Toggle
Profile50s Rounded Medium CSlimTaper
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap Buttons2 - Bottom and Shoulder2 - Black Schaller S-Lock - Locking Strap Buttons in the Case
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch TipAmberBlack
SwitchwasherCream with Gold TextBlack with Gold Hot Stamp
TailpieceEpiphone LockTone Stop BarStop Bar
Top woodMaple with Wide Grain AAAA Flame Maple VeneerPlain Maple
Truss rod2-Way AdjustableStandard
Truss Rod CoverBell Shaped; 2-layer (Black/White)Black Molded 2-ply Bell, Hot Stamp Les Paul Custom
Tuner PlatingNickelBlack
TunersEpiphone Deluxe with Tulip KeysGrover Rotomatic with Kidney Buttons
End Of Board Width—52.37mm / 2.06in
Preamp—Fishman Powerchip Preamp - 9V Battery in Control Cavity
Under Saddle Pickup—Fishman Powerbridge Piezo Pickup
Weight Relief—None

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