Paying Tribute to a Blues Icon’s Legendary ’59 Les Paul Custom

Joe Bonamassa, renowned for his exceptional guitar prowess and extensive vintage collection, is the proud owner of a standout instrument: a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Custom, affectionately known as the “Black Beauty.” While late-50s Les Paul models are highly sought after, Joe’s guitar is especially rare—a custom-ordered version with just two pickups, deviating from the typical three. Unique features like Grover® Imperial™ tuners and a Bigsby® vibrato tailpiece make it even more distinctive.

Now, Epiphone is bringing this legendary guitar to a wider audience with the Joe Bonamassa ’59 Les Paul Custom. Crafted to stay true to the original while being accessible to more players, it boasts an Antique Ebony finish over a solid mahogany body, with vintage-style multi-ply binding on both the top and back. The neck, made from mahogany, follows a 1959 Rounded Medium C profile and is topped with a bound ebony fretboard, featuring 22 medium jumbo frets and pearloid block inlays.

The headstock, inspired by the 1960s Kalamazoo design, is finished with multi-ply binding and includes the Epiphone logo along with a mother-of-pearl Custom Split Diamond inlay. A Graph Tech® nut ensures smooth tuning and reliable performance. At the core of the guitar are two Epiphone ProBucker™ Custom pickups, each paired with individual volume and tone controls that use CTS® potentiometers for fine-tuned sound shaping.

Gold hardware—featuring a LockTone™ Tune-O-Matic™ bridge, Grover tuners, and a Bigsby B70 vibrato—gives the guitar a touch of sophistication while enhancing its premium feel. The result is an instrument that’s both visually stunning and sonically versatile.

Each limited edition Epiphone Joe Bonamassa ’59 Les Paul Custom comes with a certificate of authenticity and a hardshell case featuring exclusive “Nerdville” graphics, making it not only a tribute to a blues legend but also a high-quality instrument designed for lasting value and exceptional performance.

Specs

Body Material - Mahogany

Binding - Aged/Yellowed 7-ply top. 5-ply back & headstock, Ivory Single-ply Fretboard

Neck - Mahogany

Profile 1959 rounded medium C

Scale Length - 24.75 / 628.65mm

Number of Frets - 22

Nut - Graph Tech

Inlay - Pearloid Block

Bridge - LockTone Tune-O-Matic

Tailpiece - Bigsby B70 Vibrato

Tuners - Grover Imperial

Plating - Gold

Neck Pickup - Probucker Custom

Bridge Pickup - Probucker Custom

Controls - 2 Volume, 2 Tone; CTS Potentiometers

Case - Hardshell with Joe Bonamassa “Nerdville” Graphics

Epiphone Introduces the Joe Bonamassa '59 Les Paul Custom

Paying Tribute to a Blues Icon’s Legendary ’59 Les Paul Custom

Specs

No Doubt’s Highly Anticipated Return At The Sphere

Duff McKagan on His Early Days & New Signature Fender P Bass