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.
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.
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.
‘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: 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.
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:
| Feature | Detail |
| Model | Epiphone Joe Bonamassa ’59 Les Paul Custom |
| Finish | Antique Ebony (Gloss) |
| Body Material | All-Mahogany (Body and Carved Top) |
| Neck Profile | 1959 Rounded Medium C |
| Fingerboard | Ebony with Pearloid Block Inlays |
| Pickups | ProBucker Custom Humbuckers (Neck & Bridge) |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | LockTone Tune-O-Matic with Bigsby B70 Vibrato |
| Tuners | Grover Imperial |
| Case | Epiphone ‘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
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