• Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 163

Topic: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

Does anyone own both, or been able to A/B these two guitars?  I have the Studio Goldtop and love it to death.  I have started to gas for the Bonaburst.  I was wondering if there are any major differences you may have noticed-tone, neck shape, quality, etc?  Would love to hear your comments.

  • Registered: 2010-11-16
  • Posts: 366

Re: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

I own a Bonaburst and a LP Studio Goldtop.

To me the Bonaburt is more resonant and more articulate through the overall tone range while the Studio Goldtop is a bit more woody.  Not really in a bad way but different than the Bonaburst. 

The Bonaburst seems a bit more versatile in the types of tones that you can get - from clean to dirty while the Studio is more limited.

They are both great guitars but if I could only have one it would be the Bonaburst.

YMMV.

conorb

  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 163

Re: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

Thanks for your input.  HOw about the neck-are they the same size?  I would guess yes?

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

squawken wrote:

Does anyone own both, or been able to A/B these two guitars?  I have the Studio Goldtop and love it to death.  I have started to gas for the Bonaburst.  I was wondering if there are any major differences you may have noticed-tone, neck shape, quality, etc?  Would love to hear your comments.

Hi
I have not tried the studio goldtop. I have the the JB Custom Gold top and a Bonaburst. These guitars are amazing. The Bonaburst for me has a slightly darker ringing tone. The answer is easy if you have the $$ and the oportunilty to pick up a Bonaburst go for it you can't go wrong. Last i heard you can get new Bonabursts at Wildwood guitars.
Cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
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  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

I think the Custom Shop guitars are going to have a better "feel" if you are able to A/B them.

  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 163

Re: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

Thanks!  This is not helping my wallet-lol.  But you are certainly swaying me even further.

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,857

Re: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

squawken wrote:

Thanks for your input.  HOw about the neck-are they the same size?  I would guess yes?

I don't have the JB studio so I can't tell you the difference from them, but my Bonaburst's neck is quite large in comparison to all my other LP's. When Joe signed the guitar he immediately noticed and commented on how large the neck is. I've heard other Bonaburst necks are large too.

Hope this helps.

There's a Bonaburst on feebay right now. It's not mine.

  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 163

Re: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

Spider wrote:
squawken wrote:

Thanks for your input.  HOw about the neck-are they the same size?  I would guess yes?

I don't have the JB studio so I can't tell you the difference from them, but my Bonaburst's neck is quite large in comparison to all my other LP's. When Joe signed the guitar he immediately noticed and commented on how large the neck is. I've heard other Bonaburst necks are large too.

Hope this helps.

There's a Bonaburst on feebay right now. It's not mine.

The info helps a lot Spider-thanks.  And I have been lurking from afar on that Bonaburst.

  • Registered: 2010-11-16
  • Posts: 366

Re: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

squawken wrote:

Thanks for your input.  HOw about the neck-are they the same size?  I would guess yes?

I don't any other LP's but compared to my Heritage H-150 and my Hamer Monaco the Bonamassa sig guitars have larger necks.

In my opinion the Bonaburst neck is a bit thicker than the LP Studio, but I wouldn't call it massively larger.  Just slightly.  Personally once you're used to it you won't notice it.  I was a bit concerned about getting something with a "larger" neck but my concern was unfounded and now I have the confidence to think - "oh sure, I can play that" in terms of neck size.  I don't have long, elegant hands/fingers so I'm just looking to grip it and rip as they say. smile

The Bonaburst is lighter and better balanced - physically and tonally over the LP Studio.  The custom shop guitars are also rarer which should keep prices consistent. 

Call the friendly people at Wildwood.  I've purchased both of my Bonamassa guitars directly from them and can heartily recommend them.

conorb

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,857

Re: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

conorb wrote:
squawken wrote:

Thanks for your input.  HOw about the neck-are they the same size?  I would guess yes?

I don't any other LP's but compared to my Heritage H-150 and my Hamer Monaco the Bonamassa sig guitars have larger necks.

In my opinion the Bonaburst neck is a bit thicker than the LP Studio, but I wouldn't call it massively larger.  Just slightly.  Personally once you're used to it you won't notice it.  I was a bit concerned about getting something with a "larger" neck but my concern was unfounded and now I have the confidence to think - "oh sure, I can play that" in terms of neck size.  I don't have long, elegant hands/fingers so I'm just looking to grip it and rip as they say. smile

The Bonaburst is lighter and better balanced - physically and tonally over the LP Studio.  The custom shop guitars are also rarer which should keep prices consistent. 

Call the friendly people at Wildwood.  I've purchased both of my Bonamassa guitars directly from them and can heartily recommend them.

conorb

I've bought a few from them but I no longer recommend them.

11 Reply by squawken (edited by squawken 2011-12-04 16:16:54)

  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 163

Re: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

conorb wrote:
squawken wrote:

Thanks for your input.  HOw about the neck-are they the same size?  I would guess yes?

I don't any other LP's but compared to my Heritage H-150 and my Hamer Monaco the Bonamassa sig guitars have larger necks.

In my opinion the Bonaburst neck is a bit thicker than the LP Studio, but I wouldn't call it massively larger.  Just slightly.  Personally once you're used to it you won't notice it.  I was a bit concerned about getting something with a "larger" neck but my concern was unfounded and now I have the confidence to think - "oh sure, I can play that" in terms of neck size.  I don't have long, elegant hands/fingers so I'm just looking to grip it and rip as they say. smile

The Bonaburst is lighter and better balanced - physically and tonally over the LP Studio.  The custom shop guitars are also rarer which should keep prices consistent. 



Thanks-you have mirrored my thoughts.  Also own 4 Heritages-their necks are all different sizes.  I guess it helps too if the quality and action are outstanding.

  • Registered: 2010-11-16
  • Posts: 366

Re: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

Spider wrote:
conorb wrote:
squawken wrote:

Thanks for your input.  HOw about the neck-are they the same size?  I would guess yes?

</snip>

Call the friendly people at Wildwood.  I've purchased both of my Bonamassa guitars directly from them and can heartily recommend them.

conorb

I've bought a few from them but I no longer recommend them.

Not to hijack, but can you explain?  I thought you were a fan IIRC.

conorb

  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

I've had good dealings with Troy. Can you elaborate?

  • Devan
  • Devan
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
  • Posts: 1,304

Re: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

I've got a JBLP Gold Top, and last week on a trip to Sydney I played the Studio in a store.  The neck felt just a tiny bit less chunky than my JBLP but still a fairly hefty neck for an LP Studio.

Heads up to any Aussie JB fans - The JB LP Studio was in Gallins Guitars in Annandale, I think it was marked at AUD$2700...

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,857

Re: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

conorb wrote:
Spider wrote:
conorb wrote:

</snip>

Call the friendly people at Wildwood.  I've purchased both of my Bonamassa guitars directly from them and can heartily recommend them.

conorb

I've bought a few from them but I no longer recommend them.

Not to hijack, but can you explain?  I thought you were a fan IIRC.

conorb

Sorry, I can not explain it here.

  • From: Bermeo , Basque Country
  • Registered: 2013-01-10
  • Posts: 17

Re: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

There are two types of Bonaburst? the Wildwood and this from thomann?

http://www.thomann.de/es/gibson_les_pau … os_hpt.htm

  • From: Danville, IL
  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 458

Re: Bonaburst vs. JB Studio Goldtop

squawken wrote:

Does anyone own both, or been able to A/B these two guitars?  I have the Studio Goldtop and love it to death.  I have started to gas for the Bonaburst.  I was wondering if there are any major differences you may have noticed-tone, neck shape, quality, etc?  Would love to hear your comments.

I also have both - and they're great!

I play the Bonaburst for "show", but most often (around the house) reach for the Studio first as I don't mind it getting nicked/dinged from regular use practicing.

At this point, I'm more used to the feel of the Studio, but do like the neck binding on the Bonaburst - so would pick that if I could only have one.

kestrou