• Registered: 2010-11-22
  • Posts: 11

Topic: Question about Joe's inspired by Gibson LP Gold Top?

I was watching a video on Youtube where Joe talks about the original Gold Top LP that he use to play at his dad's shop and that was the inspiration for the Gibson Bonamassa Gold Top.  In the video Joe mentions that the original was a 55.  All the information I've read indicates that the Bonamassa LP is based on an early 57 with the period correct black plastic.    So, was the original really a 55 that had the bridge swapped out, P-90s removed and then routed for humbuckers?  Or was the original LP a 57?  If someone can clarify this I'd really appreciate it.  Thanks and here is a link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tHx97gmE90

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

Re: Question about Joe's inspired by Gibson LP Gold Top?

Joe can certainly give you the definitive answer, but I believe you are correct in assuming that the original guitar was a '55 converted to '57 specs. Speaking of which, I had the opportunity to play a '56 Goldtop at Gruhns this weekend. I was shocked at how light it was. A very cool experience for me topped only by having the Man Himself play my JBLP later that afternoon...it has never sounded so good!

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Question about Joe's inspired by Gibson LP Gold Top?

Joe said one time that the 55' had a broken head stock and the back was painted black to hide the repair.  So it wasn't stock.

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  • Registered: 2008-10-10
  • Posts: 180

Re: Question about Joe's inspired by Gibson LP Gold Top?

AD3THREE wrote:

Joe said one time that the 55' had a broken head stock and the back was painted black to hide the repair.  So it wasn't stock.

I think he told me it was his Dad's too. (?)  I had a few beers enjoying the show!  I talked to him after and asked him all kinds of stupid questions.  Hence my signature phrase.  Had no idea he had his own signature model, didn't know much of him except one cd I heard.  Ignorance was quickly overcome though.  Good to see him in a small place and talk to him directly, didn't know he was gonna go off and be rockstar!     big_smile

Where the hell does one get a black-backed gold top anyway?
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Question about Joe's inspired by Gibson LP Gold Top?

His dad was a guitar sales man and owned the guitar through the store he owned.  It wasn't a personal guitar by no means.  The interview I either saw or read said he saw it on the wall and would play it every day, he wanted it but at the time was still very young and wasn't doing sold out shows in concert halls.  It sold one day, but he always remembered that guitar.  so That was the story second hand.

Partial2Marshall wrote:
AD3THREE wrote:

Joe said one time that the 55' had a broken head stock and the back was painted black to hide the repair.  So it wasn't stock.

I think he told me it was his Dad's too. (?)  I had a few beers enjoying the show!  I talked to him after and asked him all kinds of stupid questions.  Hence my signature phrase.  Had no idea he had his own signature model, didn't know much of him except one cd I heard.  Ignorance was quickly overcome though.  Good to see him in a small place and talk to him directly, didn't know he was gonna go off and be rockstar!     big_smile

AD3THREE's Website