Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 'Lazarus' 59 Les Paul Standard Owners Thread

[junkosc]

Received the Lazarus yesterday. I let it acclimate to the house temp for a day, that was hard to do! What a beautiful guitar and plays great! I really love the neck thickness, it’s a little thicker than my standard.

 

[rjwilson37]

Here's mine. Keeping it stock except for the knobs. These are too pretty to cover with a pickguard so that had to go also.

View attachment 652654

I couldn't resist turning mine into a Slash AFD, such a great feeling/playing guitar with the neck a little bit smaller than the Epiphone Slash AFD and a lot better color to the top.

 

[Seven]

@rjwilson37 that's how the Slash should have looked!

 

[rbraad68]

@rjwilson37 that's how the Slash should have looked!

My slash plays great and all but the Jb is just a different animal. I did mine up like that too and it has to be my favorite out of all my guitars!! I honestly think they should of done the slash models using the 59 a base and built it off that. But yeah the laz looks more like an AFD than what epiphone is trying to pass off with the slash model...

 

[rjwilson37]

Received the Lazarus yesterday. I let it acclimate to the house temp for a day, that was hard to do! What a beautiful guitar and plays great! I really love the neck thickness, it’s a little thicker than my standard.
View attachment 653441

The top on yours is fantastic, such an excellent top to match what a 59 Burst should look like.

 

[Steelryder]

Here is my Lazarus, pleased with its look now that the top has a bit of shine to make the top pop

 

[rbraad68]

Here is my Lazarus, pleased with its look now that the top has a bit of shine to make the top pop

Looks great man. You going to love it man. I had to polish mine I found the top a little to wall paper looking. I did a AFD conversion to mine with a few mods prob my favorite guitar I own. Good luck to you man welcome to the club....

 

[Lineosight]

Here is my Lazarus, pleased with its look now that the top has a bit of shine to make the top pop

Hey @Steelryder , quick question, what polish did you use (and did you do any pretreatment)? If you don’t mind me asking.

Cheers

 

[rjwilson37]

I did not have to shine mine and it still has a nice 3D look to it since I have grain going both ways.

 

[rbraad68]

I did not have to shine mine and it still has a nice 3D look to it since I have grain going both ways.

View attachment 653913

I do like the way yours came out. For me I just could not deal with the one demintional look of my top. But i will say that mine is starting to fade back to the stock finish i don't plan on repolishing it maybe with the aged nickel parts and all I have on it?? I won't be as bothered by the matt finish???

 

[Steelryder]

Hey @Steelryder , quick question, what polish did you use (and did you do any pretreatment)? If you don’t mind me asking.

Cheers

After partial disassembly,I started by giving it a good wipe down of alcohol then used optical grade cutting polish (chemical guys brand automotive) then I used a locally made polish called Angel polish, made with oil of lemon (I’m told it is completely different than regular lemon oil, so be careful). I then used torque brand detailing silicone to seal it in. I was not going for full on gloss, I just wanted to draw out the 3D effect and let it still look aged. I must admit it was was a bit labor intensive doing it by hand but I didn’t have confidence to use a buffing wheel without complete disassembly and removal of the components. I spent about 2hrs polishing. Then put it back together with Ernie Ball 9’s. It rings like a bell. Thanks for asking about it. I really feel it is worth the effort. Cheers

 

[rjwilson37]

After partial disassembly,I started by giving it a good wipe down of alcohol then used optical grade cutting polish (chemical guys brand automotive) then I used a locally made polish called Angel polish, made with oil of lemon (I’m told it is completely different than regular lemon oil, so be careful). I then used torque brand detailing silicone to seal it in. I was not going for full on gloss, I just wanted to draw out the 3D effect and let it still look aged. I must admit it was was a bit labor intensive doing it by hand but I didn’t have confidence to use a buffing wheel without complete disassembly and removal of the components. I spent about 2hrs polishing. Then put it back together with Ernie Ball 9’s. It rings like a bell. Thanks for asking about it. I really feel it is worth the effort. Cheers

 

[rjwilson37]

I spent about 2hrs polishing. Then put it back together with Ernie Ball 9’s. It rings like a bell.

I am so sorry we talked you into it, that poor guitar. Ringing like a bell now instead of sounding like a guitar.

 

[CoolRene]

View attachment 568007 View attachment 568008

No clue why the pics are turned by 90 degrees…

Head dive... ?

 

[DrBGood]

Head dive... ?

He lives on the left coast

 

[Steelryder]

 

[rjwilson37]

Very nice, all shiny and new!

 

[rbraad68]

That's a sweet top man!! Looks good man great job!!

 

[NightShift88]

Mine came in from the Music Zoo today, set up very nicely I might add! Lightweight at 7.14 Lbs. (which my bad back is very thankful for!) and a looker to boot! Haven’t had a chance to plug in yet, but looking forward to it! Some gratuitous shots:

 

[rjwilson37]

Very nice, congrats. That is a nice top, very 59ish for sure.

I think you should weigh it again, mine is 9lbs and I don't think that will weigh in at less than 8lbs. These are a solid mahogany body and not weight relieved.