Joe Bonamassa on why the '59 Gibson Les Paul standard is so special

Joe Bonamassa on why the '59 Gibson Les Paul standard is so special. He also lets his fingers do the talking.

#joebonamassa #gibson

[kennyarchey]

I always wondered what a 1959 Les Paul sounded like when being played in a bathroom stall in a cave. Now I know.

[stratcat]

Sounds like he's playing out of a super Reverb in a bathroom

[Barefoot]

do a blind test with Bonamassa between this and a custom shop and a reissue etc, would be interesting

[markwright]

I love the way joe ALWAYS forgets to mention Peter green and Danny kirwan!!!

[MrMjp]

I've never been lucky enough to see or play a real one of these, but in a music shop a week or two ago someone let me have a go on a custom shop [recent-ish] '59 style instrument. It was a magical and sublime sounding guitar that seemed 'to play itself'. Probably the best electric I've come across in 50 years of playing. A bit too pricey though for me I'm afraid.

[oceanhedonist]

I'm beginning to believe that over the years I've seen more '59 Les Pauls on videos than the number actually produced by Gibson.

[Mr.West.]

One of the coolest bursts..Bernie Marsden's "the Beast"

[Nick-fbuq]

Love this video because there's no need to go into the technical details of the guitar. Any guitarist knows when they pick up a guitar that just feels right. Its about what works for you. (Although playing an original '59 would be fun as hell)

[These_go_to_eleven_]

To those that didn't Catch it Joe is playing Bernie Marsden's 59 "The Beast" here.

[paulsimmons]

Well, others have commented on the acoustics of the room in which this was recorded but I liked the open feel and sound. A dry sounding, small room with carpet is never my first pick for listening to a guitar.

Joe was certainly channeling some great blues vibe when demonstrating this guitar!

[DunsfoldDave]

I believe the guitar he's playing in this clip is The Beast, owned by Bernie Marsden, not one of Joe's. I have the collectors choice no 8 version of this guitar and the cracks in the finish around the volume and tone knobs are identical.

[kirarittberg]

I kept waiting for him to say " and the volume knob goes to 11" or "You can go get a cup of tea and it will still be sustaining" or something else Nigel would say.

[jadedcynical]

Would sound way better with a boss metal zone in front.

[JH-ykse]

Saw joe at the malibu inn among many other places around los angeles in the early/mid 2000's. Smaller venues. I have tons of pics of him 2ft away. Dude just straight jammed. Years later when i saw him i noticed him signaling the audience to cheer/praise him after some runs. Huh? Then again and again. Even videos here. I can't even watch the dude anymore. Now he is a 59 les paul scientist/salesman 😁. He would sell a rock off of the ground if it had his initials on it too lol

[Nick-fbuq]

That guitar is probably worth half a million USD nowadays in good condition. Even the body stripped of parts could fetch 70 grand. Insane.

[vintagestrings]

Has anyone mentioned Les Paul being a monster on his namesake guitar ? Playing stuff on it back then, that today leaves guitar players speechless along with their mouths hanging open!

[mackin]

That big empty room does nothing for the sound here.  However, when I had a crappy (but loved) Fender copy and shite amp, I played this little combo in a big empty room (the house was being renovated) it sounded like a huge wall of sound, just massive.  That was the day I felt like a guitarist.  The day I knew this would be my career.  That was the first day I had that spine tingling moment of "yes, this is what I will do forever".  I'm still at it and it's bought the house, holidays and it's a great way to spend my working days.  I wish for that for everyone who starts the guitar.

[thegreatconsummation]

The upper mid range is unmatched on a real 59.
The newer ones sound young but they still sound good.

[mikeysx]

“I’ll try to explain it by playing for you in this bathroom”

[denAlexVA]

Joe can make any guitar sound good! As Danny Gatton told me, the man behind the guitar is the most important element!