Joe Bonamassa

Joe Bonamassa onstage with his Gallagher Doc Watson dreadnought. Photo by Marcus Sweeney-Bird

Joe Bonamassa wrote on his Instagram video upload: "Some fun on my new 60's Supro Val Trol found at a pawn shop in Reno next the venue while I was out trying to find a Starbucks."

Since the very beginning, Joe Bonamassa and Gibson guitars have been inseparable. And, as Joe's career continues to skyrocket, the relationship continues to evolve, from replicas of some of the original vintage Gibsons from Joe's own growing collection, to new guitars designed in collaboration with Gibson's team of Custom Shop luthiers and craftspeople. The introduction of the new and limited edition Bonabyrd reflects as much of Joe's unique personality as a player as it does his incredible ear for tone. Like Joe, the Bonabyrd is steeped in legacy and in proven concepts of design that pay homage to the simple truth that some things don't need to be fixed: Custom Bucker PAF pickups and classic LP weight and feel, for example. Bonamassa approved tone and feel aside, Bonabyrd is also a triumph of style, combining the classic LP body shape, a stage grabbing Antique Pelham Blue nitro-cellulose finish, and a '60s retro Firebird headstock.

"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.

As posted on Instagram, Joe Bonamassa recalls "1958 Silvertone U2 and a 1962 mini Harmony amp being one with nature out in the yard."

At :40s of this "Rig Rundown" with Premier Guitar, Mike Hickey, Joe Bonamassa's tech, talks about Joe's signature ES-335.

At 01:42 of this "Rig Rundown" with Premier Guitar, Mike Hickey recalls the 1964 Gibson ES-335 with block inlay that Joe Bonamassa plays exactly like Eric Clapton had.

At 2:43 of the "Rig Rundown" with Premier Guitar, Mike Hickey shows off the rare single pickup Firebird 1 without the tremolo just like Eric Clapton played.

Bonamassa played this at the Rockpalast DVD and later gave it to Eric Clapton who auctioned it off for the third Crossroads Centre Guitar & Amps Auction held by Bonhams in 2011.

In this picture you can see Bonamassa with a custom double neck guitar. This diagram from Guitar Geek calls this a Ernie Ball Music Man Ball Family Reserve Double-Neck Electric Guitar.

On his website, Joe Bonamassa talks about his 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard, saying, "Serial # 0-0137 indicates that it is one of the first batch of 1960 Les Paul’s produced. This particular example is named “Batman” by me and “The Babe” by its former owner and one of my great friends and fellow collector. I decided to rename the guitar to pay tribute to the unique factory installed Bigsby tailpiece and unique batman style cosmetic flange under the ABR-1 bridge. Ordered in 59 and delivered in early 1960 to its loving owner of 51 years. You say you want one just like this? Well you are in luck because Gibson reissued over 200 of them as collectors choice #3."

On his website Joe Bonamassa talks about his Fender Stratocaster, saying, "This is a mister set up and is the epitome of why innovations of Leo Fender stand the test of time and beyond. The guitar I have owned for 19 years and have used it on just about every recording since I started making solo albums. You can hear this guitar mostly on the album 'Blues Deluxe'."

On his website, Joe Bonamassa wrote this about his 1957 Gibson:

"1957 Gibson ES-175 with two sticker less PAFs. I bought this guitar from the late Dwight Mays from Georgia a week before his passing. He treasured this guitar and wanted it to go to a good home. He contacted me about it and I was happy to give it a new home and Dwight a little peace of mind. I named the guitar General Eisenhower in his honor. It is a fantastic ES-175 that I used on the Seesaw record with Beth Hart. A special thanks to Norm Harris of Normans Rare Guitars for giving me the proper brown Lifton case. A really great guitar and goes to the essence of guitar collecting. If you take care of them they will live on longer than we will."

On his website, Joe Bonamassa talks about his Gibson Polaris, saying:

"A true Pawn Star this one is. An early 1962 Polaris White Gibson SG special purchased in Fort Wayne Indiana at B and B pawn and loan. I was faced with an hour of drum sound checking so I decided along with my tech Mike to walk a few blocks and see my old friends at B and B. I was stunned to find this ultra rare and mint example had sat there unsold for 5 years!!! I bought it on the spot hooked my pals up with some tickets and promised them I’d play it at the gig a few hours later. I’ve now used that guitar on 5 tours and an album. Everybody wins on this deal."

On his website, Joe Bonamassa says this about his Fender Telecaster:

"The class of 1951. Here we see one of the first 250 Telecasters ever made. October 1951 neck and body date with the matching pro amplifier. This would be what I would have used if I was a member of Bob Wills Texas Playboys!"

Joe Bonamassa says, "1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard # 9-1951. This guitar is known as the Skinner burst and has been renamed Principal Skinner by me. This guitar was purchased in Appleton, Wisconsin and has had 4 owners in its lifetime. The Father from 1959 to 1980, the son from 1980 to 2006 (he sold it with Dad’s permission to buy a cabin on the lake in Benton, Minnesota), my friend Ronny Proler and myself 2011 to present. It is truly a special sunburst Les Paul and is the flagship of my collection. I love this guitar," on this page of his website.

As mentioned on Joe Bonamassa's website, "This is a 1954 Gretsch Country Club in rare factory blonde. Even though Cadillac green is more desirable these still seem cooler. I used this 1954 Gretsch Country Club on Sloe Gin album and The Ballad of John Henry."

"This is a 1960 Les Paul Jr. Probably the best sounding Les Paul I own according to some of my guitar buddies. I bought this guitar from my friend Dave Hinson last summer while on the BCC tour. Dave has wisely set up shop in the front of the Pageant in St Louis. The lure of fine guitars was too much to bear so I had a gander. One hour later it was mine and I was broke. I recall playing it on “The Great Divide” and “Sister Jane” weather providing. All in all, pound for pound one of the nicest Lesters around." As mentioned on Joe Bonamassa's website.

"1959 Gibson ES-345 I bought this guitar in 1997 for three thousand dollars from the original owner. It has only been used once in the studio and rarely live. Two PAF’s sound great. You can hear this guitar very clearly on my version of “So Many Roads” off the You and Me record." Taken from Joe Bonamassa's website.

"This is a 1931 National Trilolian. The sound of the delta blues. I bought this in Indianapolis in 2001. I was priced lower than the reissues on the rack. Oh well, great buy!" Taken from Joe Bonamassa's website.

"This is a 1971 Fender Jaguar in candy apple red finish with a matching headstock. A cool surf guitar. I recommend ample amounts of reverb from your twin with this guitar. Surfs up ladies and gents." Mentioned on Joe Bonamassa's website.

"This is a 1957 Rickenbacker Combo 400. One of the rarest and perhaps most unusual in my collection. This 3/4 guitar sports the horseshoe pickup. Most commonly found on lap steels. 1950?s Rickenbackers epitomize what quality and innovation that make vintage guitars so desirable." Joe Bonamassa displays his guitars on his website.

"This is a Gibson Bona-Byrd. The one and possibly only. Built by the Gibson Custom shop at my request. It’s a wonderful hybrid between a Les Paul and a Firebird 1. You will be able to see this guitar in my new DVD Live at the Beacon." Taken from Joe Bonamassa's website.

At 1:24 into this video, Bonamassa talks about when he received this guitar in 1988.

"1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard # 9-1951. This guitar is known as the Skinner burst and has been renamed Principal Skinner by me. This guitar was purchased in Appleton, Wisconsin and has had 4 owners in its lifetime. The Father from 1959 to 1980, the son from 1980 to 2006 (he sold it with Dad’s permission to buy a cabin on the lake in Benton, Minnesota), my friend Ronny Proler and myself 2011 to present. It is truly a special sunburst Les Paul and is the flagship of my collection. I love this guitar," Joe Bonamassa says, on his website.

"A working mans guitar with a maestro tremelo arm. These make great rhythm guitars and are great studio tools. The absence of a solid block inside prevents them from being played too loud. All in all a fine piece of mid sixties American made Gibson craftsmanship," says Joe Bonamaassa, on his website.

"1972 Fender Stratocaster. A Richie Blackmore special. I wanted one like his so I bought this from Rumbleseat music. Killer strat and does the Richie too bright but metal thing perfect," says Joe Bonamassa, on his website.