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Exclusive First Look: The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa '59 Les Paul Custom 'Black Beauty' Arrives

Experience the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa ’59 Les Paul Custom in Antique Ebony. A faithful recreation of his rare 2-pickup 'Black Beauty.'

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Exclusive First Look: The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa '59 Les Paul Custom 'Black Beauty' Arrives

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Epiphone has just unveiled a stunning recreation for fans of blues-rock legend Joe Bonamassa and vintage guitar enthusiasts alike: the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa ’59 Les Paul Custom in Antique Ebony. This limited-edition electric guitar is a faithful homage to one of the most treasured pieces in Bonamassa’s vast collection—his ultra-rare, two-pickup 1959 Les Paul Custom, famously nicknamed the "Black Beauty." Guitarists looking to tap into the legendary sound and feel of a 1959 Les Paul combined with the iconic, tuxedo-like elegance of a Custom model can now grab a piece of history. This instrument isn't just a tribute; it's a high-performance machine built for the stage and studio.

Vintage Tone Meets Modern Performance

The foundation of the guitar's rich, classic tone is its all-Mahogany body and carved Mahogany top. This construction delivers the quintessential Les Paul sustain, but with an added mid-range punch and "throatiness" that helps the guitar cut through any mix—a must for a dynamic player like Bonamassa. The beautiful Ebony fingerboard not only adds to the guitar's sleek aesthetic but also brightens the overall tone, improving note definition and articulation. Available at Andertons Available at Sweetwater Available at Thomann

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Power Under the Hood: ProBucker Custom Pickups

At the heart of its sound are a pair of Epiphone ProBucker Custom humbuckers. These pickups are Epiphone's take on the most revered Gibson humbucker designs, expertly capturing that authentic articulation, clarity, and harmonic richness players crave.

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa ’59 Les Paul Custom
Joe Bonamassa ’59 Les Paul Custom

Effortless Expression with Bigsby

Adding a touch of classic flair and expressive capability, the guitar features a Bigsby B70 Vibrato system. This allows players to introduce subtle warble or more dramatic, vocal-like pitch shifts to chords and solos, expanding its sonic versatility for blues, rock, and beyond.

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa ’59 Les Paul Custom
Grover Imperials

'Tuxedo' Appointments and Premium Features

The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa ’59 Les Paul Custom is dressed to impress with its classic "tuxedo" aesthetic:

  • Antique Ebony Finish: A sleek, high-gloss black finish that screams sophistication.
  • Gold Hardware: All hardware, including the classic-looking Grover Imperial tuners, is plated in gold.
  • Custom Binding: Multi-ply binding on the body and headstock completes the upscale Custom look.
  • Neck Profile: It features a comfortable Custom ’59 Rounded C neck profile—a beloved shape that offers a perfect balance: neither too thin like a SlimTaper nor too large, providing a great feel for players of all styles.

Every detail has been carefully chosen, down to the inclusion of a Graph Tech nut for improved tuning stability and a specialized Epiphone 'Nerdville' Hardshell Case, a nod to Bonamassa's famous collection.

Joe Bonamassa
Joe Bonamassa

Joe Bonamassa: The Modern Blues Vanguard

Joe Bonamassa is widely celebrated as one of the most iconic and prolific modern virtuoso blues guitarists. Often credited with being a figurehead in the resurgence of modern blues and blues-rock, his fiery, dynamic playing continues to inspire new generations of musicians.

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa ’59 Les Paul Custom
Nerdville

As a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd," Bonamassa is renowned for amassing one of the largest and most impressive collections of vintage and rare guitars, amps, and pedals globally. Epiphone's signature models, like this '59 Les Paul Custom, offer fans a chance to own a piece of that coveted 'Nerdville' mojo without the vintage price tag.

Key Specifications:

FeatureDetail
ModelEpiphone Joe Bonamassa ’59 Les Paul Custom
FinishAntique Ebony (Gloss)
Body MaterialAll-Mahogany (Body and Carved Top)
Neck Profile1959 Rounded Medium C
FingerboardEbony with Pearloid Block Inlays
PickupsProBucker Custom Humbuckers (Neck & Bridge)
Bridge/TailpieceLockTone Tune-O-Matic with Bigsby B70 Vibrato
TunersGrover Imperial
CaseEpiphone ‘Nerdville’ Hardshell Case Included

Price & Availability

The guitar delivers a premium, professional-grade instrument that captures the look, feel, and sound of a legendary vintage guitar. Are you ready to add the Epiphone Black Beauty to your collection? These limited-run guitars are available now, and with only 1,500 units worldwide, they will sell out quickly. Priced $999/£949/€1099 with hard case

Available at Andertons

Available at Sweetwater

Available at Thomann

More Information

#Epiphone # Joe Bonamassa #59 Les Paul Custom

Pros
  • +Faithful recreation of Joe Bonamassa's legendary 1959 Les Paul Custom 'Black Beauty'
  • +ProBucker Custom humbuckers deliver authentic vintage tone and articulation
  • +All-mahogany construction provides classic Les Paul sustain and mid-range punch
  • +Bigsby B70 vibrato adds expressive capability for blues and rock players
  • +Premium appointments including gold hardware, ebony fingerboard, and custom binding
  • +Includes premium Epiphone 'Nerdville' hardshell case
  • +Affordable entry point to 1959 Les Paul Custom tone at $999
  • +Limited to 1,500 units, adding collectibility
ModelEpiphone Joe Bonamassa '59 Les Paul Custom
FinishAntique Ebony (Gloss)
Body MaterialAll-Mahogany with Carved Top
Neck Profile1959 Rounded Medium C
FingerboardEbony with Pearloid Block Inlays
PickupsProBucker Custom Humbuckers (Neck & Bridge)
Bridge/TailpieceLockTone Tune-O-Matic with Bigsby B70 Vibrato
TunersGrover Imperial
NutGraph Tech
Case IncludedEpiphone 'Nerdville' Hardshell Case
Price$999 USD / £949 GBP / €1099 EUR
Production RunLimited to 1,500 units worldwide
What makes the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa '59 Les Paul Custom special?

It's a limited-edition tribute to Joe Bonamassa's ultra-rare 1959 Les Paul Custom 'Black Beauty.' The guitar features ProBucker Custom humbuckers, a Bigsby B70 vibrato, all-mahogany body, ebony fingerboard, gold hardware, and comes with an Epiphone 'Nerdville' hardshell case—delivering vintage 1959 tone and aesthetics in a modern, affordable instrument.

How many Epiphone Joe Bonamassa '59 Les Paul Custom guitars will be produced?

Only 1,500 units are being produced worldwide, making this a true limited-run release that is expected to sell out quickly.

What pickups does this guitar use?

The guitar is equipped with a pair of Epiphone ProBucker Custom humbuckers in the neck and bridge positions. These pickups are Epiphone's interpretation of classic Gibson humbucker designs, capturing articulation, clarity, and harmonic richness.

What is the price of the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa '59 Les Paul Custom?

The guitar is priced at $999 USD (£949 GBP / €1099 EUR) and includes an Epiphone 'Nerdville' hardshell case.

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Jef Stone
Founder and editor of GuitarBomb. Jef has been writing about guitars, effects pedals, and music gear for over ten years, covering everything from breaking gear news and leaks to hands-on reviews.

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