Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard in Copper Iridescent

00:00 - Introduction 00:51 - Overview of Guitar 02:50 - Observations 05:47 - Sound Sample - Neck Pickup - Clean 06:04 - Sound Sample - Both Pickups - Clean 06:21 - Sound Sample - Bridge Pickup - Clean 06:37 - Sound Sample - Bridge Pickup - Stew Mac IHOO Distortion 06:58 - Sound Sample - Bridge Pickup - Mooer Ultra Drive Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard in Copper Iridescent On the bench today is the Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard in Copper Iridescent. Joe Bonamassa found his first 1955 Les Paul Standard in Copper Iridescent in Minnesota. He later discovered a second one in Yuma, Arizona, with the help of fellow guitar enthusiasts Jay and Trevor Boone. He was reported recently as saying he has found a third guitar in Minnesota again. He calls the guitars “The brown things.” The Copper Iridescent finish/color, is a rare finish to find for Gibson guitars, and is considered very collectible. The color was originally created for a display model guitar in the 1955 NAMM show. Recently Gibson Custom has produced a 1955 NAMM Show Commemorative Edition Les Paul. This special run was limited to 70 guitars in each of the five original custom colors, including Copper Iridescent. Epiphone collaborated with the Gibson Custom Shop, to accurately recreate the Copper Iridescent finish. Richard Akers from Epiphone and Cody Higbee from Gibson Custom Shop worked together to reverse-engineer the original finish, requiring extensive trial and error to achieve the desired result. I did not know this, but Epiphone and Joe Bonamassa release an annual signature guitar every year. This is the 12th Joe Bonamassa signature Epiphone but the first to feature P-90 pickups, distinguishing it from his previous signature models, which normally featured humbuckers. The humbucker is his preferred pickup. He says that “died in the wool Gibson players will say behind closed doors when the internet is not watching that their favorite pickup is the p-90.” The guitar specifications are: Mahogany body with maple cap, mahogany neck with Custom '59 Rounded C profile and laurel fretboard, Copper Iridescent finish, Epiphone P-90 PRO pickups, CTS pots, Mallory capacitors, 50s wiring, brown/pink hardshell case. More details on the neck: • Nut Material: Graph Tech • Nut Width: 1.687" (43mm) • Fingerboard Radius: 12" (628.65mm) • Scale Length: 24.75" • Number of Frets: 22 Frets • Fingerboard Inlay: Pearloid Trapezoids • Neck Joint: Long Neck Tenon The long neck tenon is where the wood of the neck that extends into the guitar body is longer. The use of long neck tenons in Gibson guitars is mostly associated with 1950s vintage guitars. It has also been used sporadically throughout the years by Gibson. Here are some of the player beliefs regarding a long neck tenon. Sustain: Many guitar players believe that a long neck tenon contributes to increased sustain (how long a note rings out). The idea is that a larger contact area between the neck and body allows for better transfer of vibrations. Stability: A longer tenon can also provide a more stable and structurally sound neck joint. Tone: It is also believed that the increased contact of a long tenon, contributes to a better tone. Observations I found no imperfections while examining the neck and frets. This includes sharp fret edges and fret rocking. The nut height is set to proper height. Intonation and string height were also set properly from the factory. I did not buy this guitar because it is a Joe Bonamassa signature guitar. I purchased it because it is a great value for an Epiphone Les Paul. I mean, the specs on this guitar including the components used to build it and a hardshell case are just crazy for an Epiphone at this price point of $849 new. Most of the Epiphone signature models with the same specs start around $1299. I prefer $849. Looks wise I just love the combination of the Copper Iridescent finish with the white soap bar P-90 pickups. Just gorgeous. To me there are two primary categories of guitars: a modding platform or a player. This guitar has nothing that I would mod or upgrade. It is most definitely a player. The pickups are great and there is no upgrade to be had here. Epiphone P-90 PRO™ pickups were designed with new bobbins manufactured to historically correct dimensions, Elektrisola magnet wire, sand cast Alnico V magnets, and pole shoes manufactured using correct alloys to original vintage Gibson dimensions. They also have tin plated brass base plates like those used on 50's and 60's-era Gibson P-90 pickups. Measuring for DC Resistance the bridge pickup measures 7.65 k ohms. Both pickups together measure 3.83 k ohms and the neck pickup measures 7.70 k ohms. The guitar weighs in at 9.09 lbs or 4.095 kilos.