can joe tell us about the next jb les paul ????????? (Page 1 of 2)

I am pretty sure that NDA's would preclude Joe from talking publicly about upcoming models.

There was a thread recently speculating about a Bigsby equipped LP coming out.  Then again, Gibson could do a reissue of his '59 burst... ??!?

Personally I think that TOO many signature guitars will dilute their appeal a bit.  Bravo for bringing out the Epi and Studio LP's though, which meets different price points and makes the guitars available to younger players rather than serious collectors.

However I wasn't sure about bringing out the Bonaburst ones - no doubt great guitars but not really identifiable with Joe as he wasn't 'known' for playing those as much as the gold tops.  The fact that there are still plenty of those available at Wildwoods whereas the Gold Tops are exceedingly difficult to find probably attests to that.

I'd be interested to know from fans at his recent shows whether he still plays the Bonaburst one's as part of his normal show line up.  I do know that he got one of the Bonabursts refinished in black, which is the one that got damaged recently.

I love my JB Goldtop, but...I agree with Devan.

My vote would be a 1958 Flying V "Studio"
OR single pickup Bonabyrd LP or single pickup Firebird. 

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping.

I've read just the opposite - that the gold top was totally Joe's spec - it was the guitar he always wanted rather than a recreation of the guitar he is known for like the slash AFD model.

The story is Joe fell in love with a gold top as a kid in the guitar shop which then was sold off and his gold top sig recreates this phantom guitar.

I'm just thrilled to have one of Joe's studio signitures.  Bindings would have been nice, but I have to say the studio is pretty easy on the eyes and it plays like a dream.  Thanks to Joe for trying to get an affordable guitar out there.

I'm a strat guy at heart and would absolutely love to see Joe playing Strats, Teles, LPs, MMs, Gigliottis, etc. in unison again. One of my favorite things about the old shows was guessing what would come out next. I LOVE my Bonaburst, but to me, the JB holy grail tone is Goldie. A JB Signature Goldie would be my dream guitar.

I might be alone here, but I'm kinda hoping it's not a replica of the '59.  I'd personally rather see that guitar as his and his alone and not be made into a series..  But thats just me.  I'm sure whatever it is, it will be killer even if it is a '59 clone.  -S

As much as I'd like see another JB signature guitar I also have to wonder at what point does it start to dilute/diminish the brand?

Between Epiphone and Gibson Joe now has - what? - 4 different versions of Les Pauls (Epiphone, Gibson VOS Gold Top, Gibson VOS Busrt, Gibson Studio) not counting Candy Apple Blue.  I guess 5 if you consider the relic Gold Top different from the NOS Gold Top.  Is there a concern that they end up saturating the market?

I guess it would depend on the overall goal.  If the goal is to allow anyone who wants a JB LP to get one - then probably not - make as many as you can.  But if the goal is to create a special instrument for special players/fans/collectors then perhaps there are already enough versions and numbers to keep a balance between supply and demand.

To my mind something is collectible (cars, watches, guitars, etc.) if it is both rare and desirable and perhaps saturating guitardom with a plethora of JB models and options will create a situation where they would be everywhere and no one would want them.  An example that comes readily to mind is the Omega Speedmaster Chronograph.  There are several versions of the watch available including the Moonwatch along with an incredible number of special and limited editions.  A dizzyingly array really.  So many that in addition to be confusing it also dilutes a normally strong watch and brand.  By trying to appeal to everyone they nearly appeal to no one. Perhaps I'm exaggerating but at some point I do have to start questioning the reasoning.

I don't consider myself a collector.  I bought the BonaBurst to play it and to be inspired and it's really delivered.  I also bought it because I was a fan and while I had never owned a LP guitar before I was able to convince myself that this would be really special.  It is also the one of the most expensive things I've ever bought and I don't know if I'd be able to "keep up" in the future.

I guess I'll be happy with my JB Burst and my JB Studio.

Still, that being said would I be interested in a '59 copy or a Flying V? 

You betcha!  But let's allow my pocketbook some time to recover. 

conorb