2012 Joe Bonamassa Signature Les Paul Standard Gold Top (USA):

[PayDay]

I see quite a few of Joe's signature Studio Les Paul's, from both Gibson and Epiphone circulating. Also a few Custom Shop Les Paul Standards, artist inspired or inspired by series I think. All dark backs.

However, I don't see much relating to the USA Standard signature model released in 2012.

Hopefully there is someone on here who can set me straight with numbers produced of the USA standard JB sig and the specs...

I'm not holding out much hope direct from Gibson themselves, perhaps I am being a little pessimistic.
I have one coming to me later this week that dates to December of 2012, but as I say I can't find much in the way of specs and details.
Any historical links popping up on the Internet are old shop listings with little detail. or floods of studio models. I'm going to assume that for the most part, the specs are going to be the same as the 2012 LP Standard.

Some visual details and assumptions (that may be wrong):

• Grover locking tuners (these were standard in 2012, no?)
• Black plastics on the back
• Black paint to the rear of the guitar
• Multi-ply (black and white) pick guard as opposed to the single-ply on the studios
• Cream body and neck binding (standard)
• Truss rod cover features Joe's Signature (not 'Bonamassa').
• Black poker chip and pickup rings (modern height pickup rings)
• Greeny style knobs
• TonePros Tune-o-matic bridge and Stop Bar or something different? Saddles aren't nylon, like on the CS.
• Pickups? It would be nice to think these were something different being it's a signature model. Are they Alnico V) Burst Buck Pros or something different?
• Electrics - I don't have it in my hands yet so i can't see what's going on in there.

Any pointers or links would be greatly appreciated!
J.

 

[DutchRay]

The Gibson USA goldtop JB models came as Studio and Standard, basically with the spec you wrote down. I sold them when new and both where pretty good guitars, pretty rare as well, I think I've only seen 2 JB standards and maybe 3 JB studios. I seem to recall them being equiped with SD JB pickups. The Gibson Custom version sold very well and was the inspiration for the USA models. The Gibson Custom version was inspired by a black back '57 Joe's dad owned when he was running a guitar shop.

Gibson USA JB STD > https://reverb.com/item/63514775-gibson-joe-bonamassa-les-paul-gold-top-lpjb2gbch1
Gibson USA JB Studio (No neck and body binding) > https://reverb.com/item/63509339-gibson-joe-bonamassa-les-paul-studio-goldtop-2011-2013
Gibson Custom JB Goldtop Aged > https://reverb.com/item/58331076-gi...1957-historic-57-r7-aged-limited-2008-goldtop
Gibson Custom JB Goldtop Aged and signed > https://reverb.com/item/62429296-gi...red-by-joe-bonamassa-aged-les-paul-goldtop-12

 

[PayDay]

The Gibson USA goldtop JB models came as Studio and Standard, basically with the spec you wrote down. I sold them when new and both where pretty good guitars, pretty rare as well, I think I've only seen 2 JB standards and maybe 3 JB studios. I seem to recall them being equiped with SD JB pickups. The Gibson Custom version sold very well and was the inspiration for the USA models. The Gibson Custom version was inspired by a black back '57 Joe's dad owned when he was running a guitar shop.

Gibson USA JB STD > https://reverb.com/item/63514775-gibson-joe-bonamassa-les-paul-gold-top-lpjb2gbch1
Gibson USA JB Studio (No neck and body binding) > https://reverb.com/item/63509339-gibson-joe-bonamassa-les-paul-studio-goldtop-2011-2013
Gibson Custom JB Goldtop Aged > https://reverb.com/item/58331076-gi...1957-historic-57-r7-aged-limited-2008-goldtop
Gibson Custom JB Goldtop Aged and signed > https://reverb.com/item/62429296-gi...red-by-joe-bonamassa-aged-les-paul-goldtop-12

Ah, great, thanks for this, yes the model coming is a LPJB2GBCH1 also (first link). It's got a bit of checking near the control knobs and on the neck, but I think that's pretty common. I see that one listed there has Seymour Duncuns in. I'll check mine when it arrives.

Here it is...

 

[DutchRay]

Nice! Seems someone had the pickguard signed at a show and gave a spare if you want to play the guitar without damaging the autograph. Yours should have SD JB's, the Studios have BB2 & BB3's.

 

[PayDay]

Nice! Seems someone had the pickguard signed at a show and gave a spare if you want to play the guitar without damaging the autograph. Yours should have SD JB's, the Studios have BB2 & BB3's.

Thanks, yes it's been signed which is fantastic for me. I've wanted one way back but wasn't in the position to make a purchase, he's been an inspiration to me so I am thrilled to be receiving it! Just praying it makes it in one piece! By the looks of this one, it's been used as it's got the odd small ding on the back, but that's all fine with me. I would like to find some vintage height black pickup rings for it though. Not sure if Gibson do a specific part number for those. I'll keep the originals in the case, I just prefer the look with the taller rings. Ironically, I think they used those on the Epiphones!

 

[PayDay]

Well this isn't going well. Many thanks to a certain delivery company here in the UK, I've still not received the guitar. It was supposed to arrive Wednesday of last week but never did. It took them the rest of the week to figure out that they had miss-labelled the package incorrectly and it got delivered to another address!

 

[DutchRay]

That sucks. Hope it gets there soon!

 

[MikeSlub]

Hope you get it soon! Love the Goldtop version! I have two JB models - a 2010 Plaintop and 2012 Flametop, both sunburst, both signed by Joe on back of headstock when he visited my home in 2012. Love them both!

 

[PayDay]

That sucks. Hope it gets there soon!

Thanks mate! Apparently they put the wrong labels on at the depot. The recipient was expecting a combo amplifier. Lord only knows why they didn't turn it away, I guess there would be a number of reasons for that one.

 

[PayDay]

Hope you get it soon! Love the Goldtop version! I have two JB models - a 2010 Plaintop and 2012 Flametop, both sunburst, both signed by Joe on back of headstock when he visited my home in 2012. Love them both!

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Ah beautiful Mike! I've been doing some digging and it looks like the first 400 came with Tag Heuer shades as worn by Joe at the time and a pack of 12 JB CDs. The serial number on mine ends 454 so I guess this one was a little further down the production line.
Were yours top wrapped from the factory?

 

[MikeSlub]

Ah beautiful Mike! I've been doing some digging and it looks like the first 400 came with Tag Heuer shades as worn by Joe at the time and a pack of 12 JB CDs. The serial number on mine ends 454 so I guess this one was a little further down the production line.
Were yours top wrapped from the factory?

Yes, they were top wrapped from the factory.

 

[PayDay]

Finally it arrived!

 

[PayDay]