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Average Price: $1,800
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$400
$1001+
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Description
In the world of electric guitars, the Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul stands as a testament to craftsmanship and musical heritage. This limited-edition solid body electric guitar is a tribute to the legendary blues-rock virtuoso, Joe Bonamassa, capturing the essence of his iconic sound. With only 400 of these masterpieces in existence, it’s not just an instrument—it's a collector’s dream.
The guitar boasts a super-comfortable '60s asymmetrical neck carve, offering a unique playability that sets it apart. The maple-topped chambered mahogany body ensures that it’s not only light but resonates with a rich, full tone. At its heart are the custom Seymour Duncan humbuckers, meticulously crafted to replicate the vintage PAF sound that Joe himself swears by. Plug it into your favorite amp, and you'll be transported to a world of hot rod blues tones that are both familiar and exhilarating.
Every detail of the Joe Bonamassa Les Paul is carefully considered, from the TonePros locking chrome bridge to the locking Grover tuning machines, ensuring stability and precision. As a bonus, each guitar comes with exclusive case candy, making it a complete package for any serious guitarist or collector.
Key Features:
- Limited edition of only 400 guitars worldwide
- Custom Seymour Duncan humbuckers for vintage PAF tones
- '60s asymmetrical neck carve for enhanced playability
- Maple-topped chambered mahogany body
- Upgraded hardware with TonePros locking bridge and Grover tuners
- Includes hardshell case and exclusive case candy
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio |
| Finish | Goldtop |
| Year | 2011 - 2013 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Artist | Joe Bonamassa |
| Body Shape | Single Cutaway |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Stop-Bar |
| Color Family | Gold |
| Finish Style | Metallic |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Gibson Les Paul |
| Model Sub-Family | Gibson Les Paul Studio |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Series | Gibson Artist Collection |
FAQs
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What makes the Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio unique compared to other Les Paul models?
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The Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio features a distinctive Goldtop finish and is part of the Artist Collection, offering a classic Les Paul sound with a unique aesthetic and specifications tailored to Joe Bonamassa's preferences.
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What type of pickups does the Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio have?
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The Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio is equipped with a dual humbucker (HH) pickup configuration, providing a rich, warm tone ideal for blues and rock genres.
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Is the Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio is well-suited for live performances, offering robust build quality and versatile sound capabilities that can handle various musical styles on stage.
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How does the set-neck construction of the Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio affect playability?
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The set-neck construction enhances sustain and provides a smooth transition between the neck and body, making it comfortable for players to access higher frets easily.
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What is the fretboard material on the Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio?
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The fretboard of the Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio is made of rosewood, known for its warm tonal qualities and smooth playing surface.
Videos
PMTVUK
Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul - Bonamassa Burst
Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul - Bonamassa Burst
PMTVUK
Reviews
PROS
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Neck shape facilitates easy high fret access
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Highly responsive pickups deliver dynamic sound
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Stunning black-on-gold aesthetics turn heads
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Limited edition status may increase value over time
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BurstBucker pickups provide an incredible tone
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Exceptional tuning stability despite typical Gibson issues
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Versatile sound suitable for Blues, Rock, Jazz, and Funk
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Fat bottom end with clear top end from humbuckers and big strings
CONS
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Hard to find due to limited availability
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Stiffer feel with 11-gauge strings might not suit everyone
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul.
User experience
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Owners report the guitar is heavier than expected, especially for those accustomed to lighter models like SGs and Vs.
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A user noted that playing this guitar rekindled their passion, providing an enjoyable and immersive playing experience for extended periods.
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Owners report this model outshines other Les Pauls, even those priced 8-9 times higher, due to its playability and feel.
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It's noted that the Joe Bonamassa model is a limited drop, potentially increasing its value over time as availability decreases.
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Owners appreciate the neck profile of the 1962 ES-335, describing it as a middle-ground feel between vintage thick and modern thin necks.
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Value and pricing
Mods and upgrades
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One owner modified their guitar with Seymour Duncan Antiquity pickups in the first and third positions and rewired the rhythm tone knob for additional tonal options.
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Comparisons
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Some owners find this Epiphone model superior to USA-made Gibsons, citing its exceptional build quality and affordability.
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Some users compare the model favorably to high-end Epiphones, citing its price and feature set as competitive.
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The 1962 ES-335 is praised for its unique sound, standing out from other humbucker-equipped guitars like the PRS SE DGT.
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Build quality
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The guitar's black and gold aesthetic with aged yellow binding and yellow/pink-ish pearl tuners is praised for its striking appearance.
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Comes with a laurel fingerboard and acrylic trapezoid inlays, which some owners find comparable to more expensive materials after proper maintenance.
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The model features a mahogany body with a carved maple top and a period-correct long tenon neck joint for added stability.
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Features and functionality
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The Joe Bonamassa Les Paul features P90 pickups, known for lower output and distinct tonal characteristics compared to modern high-output pickups.
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Includes P-90 Pro pickups paired with CTS pots and Mallory capacitors, enhancing tonal clarity and response.
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The '62 ES-335 reissue is highlighted for its quick response to harmonic feedback, providing a distinct playing experience compared to solid-body guitars.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 9 Ratings
137
I have the studio version, it sounds and feels great!
Great guitar for Blues, Rock, Jazz or even Funk.
Artist usage
Add artist
"For me to be myself, I have to play a Les Paul. I plug it in and it sounds like me—exactly the way I’m supposed to sound. Anything else just doesn’t make sense." — Joe Bonamassa from this Gibson Product Page.
I used other guitars besides Dean. I used a Marc Bolan Les Paul with PAF pickups in it and a Joe Bonamassa Signature with [EMG] 57 or 58 humbuckers. I also used my old skull Signature Dean and I used a Fender Strat for soloing. I also used a [Harmony] Bobcat Holiday guitar from 1964 that’s crazy. I found it at Guitar Center. I plugged it into a Mesa Boogie or some version of a Roland Jazz Chorus amp and it was really clean and it was like, “Oh, my god.” I used that on “Love Of the Damned.” I also used a Gibson Hummingbird.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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