Joe Bonamassa Signature Prototype

[Danny]

You know, sometimes I am so proud for some people. Joe Bonamassa came in this week and is staying at our guest house in the canyons, to write material for his new album and get ready for the recording, after which yet another hectic tour schedule begins. He is the consumate Journeyman who loves being on the road and touring, as are all his loyal band. So, I popped around to his house the other morning, to see how the writing was coming along, and was amazed all 'round - firstly he has transformed my little idyllic retreat into a veritable vintage music store - loads of amps, vintage guitars, sitars, dulcimers and other stringed instruments are strewn liberally all over, while TLC or some other insipid TV channel (I'm sure it would be Jerry Springer if he could find it!) is blaring from the plasma above the fireplace - itself fully ablaze in the 60 degree weather! Anyway, freshly out of it's just Fedexed box, was a Gibson Les Paul, the iconic rock guitar, this being the prototype of the Joe Bonamassa model, and it is gorgeous - looks gorgeous and sounds gorgeous! I must say, it has a tone that reminded me straight away of Jimmy Page's axe - kind of elasticky, with a twang and not all zingy and sustainy like some others. Fantastic! A beautifully dished Gold Top with a '57 style neck, beautiful aged black back and collars round the pickups, and two different knobs, so he can feel which is which when playing live, without looking down. Nylon saddle, Grover machine heads - it is a wonderful work of art. Well done, JB!!

Here's some pictures:

Looks pretty sweet...

:salude

 

[guitarvoodoo]

Damn cool... nylon saddles, Grovers, mismatched knobs :salude
I love idiosyncratic stuff like that.
It's very smart of Gibson to make a Joe Signature - this guy is gonna be big and significant on the music scene for decades to come.

:] Fish

 

[buyusfear]

I love the top carve...

 

[markguitar]

I love the top carve...

The top carve is the same on all reissues, just always looks more dramatic on goldtops.

 

[buyusfear]

The edge looks quite pronounced, a lot more then on my R7...could be the pictures though.

 

[twinrider1]

"Man, nothing shows off the top carve like a gold top," I was thinking to myself as I looked at the pics. Then I see I'm not the only one thinking that!
I wonder if it came from Gibson already top-wrapped?

I like the black pieces. I think it would look great with no pickguard too.

 

[stock_hippie]

wow i likeee!

 

[Danny]

Apparently these pictures were taken in Kevin Shirley's second home in Malibu, which Joe has turned into a vintage gear cave, where he is currently laying down ideas for a new studio album. According to Joe the Tele is what he used to record the opening bars of Tea For One, then there's his Lucille, Murphy R9, and Strat.

 

[les strat]

The top carve is the same on all reissues, just always looks more dramatic on goldtops.

+1.

 

[Sean French]

Nothin' is cooler than a GT.:2cool
Joe's sig looks bad ass!!!:wow
The black plastic looks great.
Not sure I dig the mismatch knobs on a GT but,hey that's what Joe wanted.
A GT shows the top carve off better than any other finish.
They also change color depending on the lighting and angles they are viewed.
GT's are boring to some but,they are the bees knees to me.:dude:

 

[stock_hippie]

does joe need new songs?...im a pretty good songwriter____________

 

[stock_hippie]

The top carve is the same on all reissues, just always looks more dramatic on goldtops.

sure does like a border around and then the big carve starts....is that what you mean...?
i always use a goldie....i think the auduence likes em....i mean who else makes a gold guitbox?

 

[Levelhead]

Isn't he known for playing flame tops, not GT's?

 

[Danny]

In recent years he's been playing R9's, but he used to play a GT frequently, and he had this bitchen purple Paul that I'm going to try and find a picture of...

 

[Garampingat]

anyone notices the early-50s style low gibson logo?

 

[Minibucker]

I don't like the black plastic on a Goldtop.

 

[Mattlocked]

Me neither.

 

[Sean French]

Here is a pic I took in Dallas of a vintage '57 with stock black plastic.

 

[Adwex]

Me neither.

Yeah, me neither, gotta be creme. ...and what's with the mismatched knobs?

 

[Danny]

Yeah, me neither, gotta be creme. ...and what's with the mismatched knobs?

It's so he can feel the difference in knobs while singing, so he doesn't have to look down. Joe is constantly messing with the volume and tone knobs while playing. It's not uncommon...