Of all of today’s Les Paul-wielding artists Joe Bonamassa is among the most revered, and the astounding 1959 model that he affectionately calls “Principal Skinner” is the most beloved guitar in his extensive collection. Now, following a long-coming collaboration between Joe and Gibson Custom, we are delighted to present “Skinnerburst,” a detail-perfect recreation of what is possibly the hardest working 1959 Les Paul in the world today. Through unrestricted access to the original and Joe’s generous cooperation, Gibson Custom has scanned, studied and measured every spec, curve and parameter of this guitar to bring you an instrument that reproduces this prized ‘burst in every possible way, exactly as it looks, feels, and sounds today.
From its delectably faded Dirty Lemon finish, to its custom-wound humbucking pickups, to its precise top carve and neck profile, the Joe Bonamassa “Skinnerburst” 1959 Les Paul gets you as close as is humanly possible to a priceless artist’s guitar. Historically accurate binding colors, aged cellulose trapezoid inlays, hot-hide glue neck construction, and period-correct hardware all complement a breathtaking rendition of Joe’s constant stage and studio companion. Of 150 guitars hand-aged by unparalleled ageing artist Tom Murphy, 50 will be played and signed by Joe himself; a further 150 will be treated to Gibson Custom’s VOS process, making a Limited Edition of 300 guitars in total.
Body
Top | 2 Piece, Figured Maple |
Back | Genuine Mahogany |
Binding | Reissue Cream, Single Ply |
Adhesive | Franklin Titebond |
Neck
Species | Mahogany Neck with a Maple Spline |
Truss Rod | Reissue Truss Rod Assembly |
Joint Angle | 4° (+/- 15 seconds) |
Neck Fit
Joint | Mortise & Tenon |
Adhesive | Hot Hide Glue |
Joint Angle Tolerance | +/- .005″ |
Fingerboard
Species | Rosewood |
Radius | 12″ |
Binding | Cream |
Inlays | Nitrocellulose Reissue Trapezoid |
Nut/E.O.B | 1.687/2.062 |
Adhesive | Hot Hide Glue |
Nut
Material | Nylon |
Width | 1.687 |
Slots | Gibson PLEK System |
Headstock
Inlay | Reissue with Gibson Pearl Inlay |
Truss Rod Cover | Vintage |
Angle | 17 Degrees |
Tuners
Model | Kluson Deluxe Green Key Single Band |
Tuning Ratio | 12:01 |
Plating | Nickel |
Bridge
Type | ABR-1 Thumbwheel |
Plating | Nickel |
Tailpiece
Type | Aluminum Stopbar |
Plating | Nickel |
Hardware
Knobs | Gold Top Hats |
Pickguard | Reissue Cream |
Toggle Switch Washer | Reissue Cream |
Pickup Mounting Rings | Cream |
Strings | .011 – .050 |
Strap Buttons | Aluminum |
Pickups
Neck Position | Burstbucker #3 |
Bridge Position | Custombucker |
Electronics
Potentiometers | 2 Volume Controls 2 Tone Controls |
Capacitors | Bumble Bee |
Toggle Switch | Three-Way |
Output Jack | Traditional ¼” |
Finish
Sealer | Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
“Skinnerburst” Dirty Lemon “Skinnerburst” Dirty Lemon Aged
Case
Type | Custom Shop |
Additional Materials
Certificate of Authenticity | Yes |
Additional Materials | Hardshell Custom Shop Case / Certificate of Authenticity Engraved & Leather-bound / Extra Switch Plate in Case |