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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear → Converted; From Strats to Les Pauls!
I have now been playing for 35 years, even before Joe was born, and I have always used Fender stratocasters. Until I heard joe on a Gibson Les Paul that is. Now THAT is the sound that I have always been looking for! Thanks Joe for making me see the light. Great meeting you at the Sunflower Jam too, where you signed my Epiphone Bonamassa c.o.a. Here are some examples of my new found sound; www.jonwsm.com
Variety is the spice of life my friend...
By the way, great touch and tone in your videos.
Sounds great...now put some proper guitars on your background!
Thanks for those comments. I have a Gibson Les Paul 50`s Tribute, and an Epiphone Joe Bonamassa Les Paul, but I`m think of selling them both and getting the Gibson Joe Bonamassa Studio. Good or bad idea?
I played strats & teles for 20 years before buying my first LP (a 2008 Traditinoal), and I'm totally in love with it. The feel, the tone - it's just a great guitar and I wish I had bought one much earlier.
That said, I haven't "converted." I still enjoy playing my strats & tele, and each has a place.
I would play the Gibson JB Studio before deciding - make sure it's what you really want. There are lots of LPs out there, and lots of great non-Gibson makers of similar guitars (PRS, Carvin, Taylor, etc). How different is the JB Studio compared to your current LP-style guitars? I'd hold off until you play a bunch and figure out what's exactly right for you. If you've already played it and love it, then go for it. Life's so short to waste with guitars you aren't in love with.
Thanks for those comments. I have a Gibson Les Paul 50`s Tribute, and an Epiphone Joe Bonamassa Les Paul, but I`m think of selling them both and getting the Gibson Joe Bonamassa Studio. Good or bad idea?
I'm personally not a fan of any Les Paul Studios, but if you're not used to the weight and feel of the standards or customs, you'll be fine. Plus I think the JB sig. Studio model is a level above run of the mill LP Studios. I have yet to play one.
Honestly I think my JB studio plays as well as my class 5 orange tiger and my 85 reissue from the custom shop. Its definately a high end studio and about the only thing I can see thats different is the lack of bindings but in this case the black back against the gold top looks very nice. The tone is great. Try it you might just like it.
I started off playing a '74 LP Deluxe, but mixed up a lot of different guitars in the course of the next 25 years of my playing life. More recently I have been using a Strat as my 'everyday' practice guitar. Sure you have to 'fight' the Strat a little more to make it sing, but I enjoy all the different sounds I can get.
Still, my favourite guitar at the moment is my Grosh Electrajet - I can get great Gibson like sounds out of it and enjoy the Strat like comfort...
I'd keep what you have. I honestly think the pair you have now puts you in a stronger position than doing a 2:1 swap. Your 50's Tribute and your Epi JB LP covers a ton of ground already.
Tough call... If you find one that is a reasonable weight that you like then I'd make the trade off...
What I really want to see is the Gibson custom shop offer a bonamassa 59 reissue. I'd be all over that if the tops are nice and they are no more than 9 lbs
I tried to make that switch too but I could not pull it off, I had two Les Paul Customs but I just never felt very confident playing them and I gravitated back to my strats. But, I also picked up an older Flying V which was all I played in the 80's. It felt like an old friend when I got it. I think a Flying V, SG or even an Explorer is an easier transition for a long time Fender player. They are lighter than a Les Paul, and are not quite as drastic of a change. But, they won't quite get that original thick Les Paul tone either.
Honestly, it wasn't until my Bona-studio that I felt comfortable playing a Les Paul. The neck just feels really good.
I must say that the Epiphone neck feels a lot thicker than the Gibson at the nut end. I much prefer the feel of the Gibson, and was wondering if the Joe Bonamassa Studio would have the same feel?
I have a Bonaburst, Traditional Plus, and the JB EPI. I honestly like the feel and sound of the JB EPI over the Traditional. The Bonaburst is at another level.....just Love that guitar. One thing to possibly consider is that the EPI was a limited run of 1000. Or..you could save up....I spoke with Joe at a recent concert and asked if and/or what sig guitar may be out. He said in possibly 2 yrs there could be one based on his '59
I play Fenders for more than 20 years. I realy like Derek Trucks and his sound and wanted to buy a
Gibson SG '61 RI. Then i did read all the good reviews of the Joe Bonamassa Studio en bought that one instead of the SG 
I started on Strats more than 20 years ago because of Jimi and SRV.
After 20 years my style has changed and i'm trying to sound like myself instead of al the great guitar players.
I must say that after i plugged in the LP 2 weeks ago it blew me away. Much smoother and warmer than my Strat and the sound was closer to what i'm looking for. Dont know why i didn't bought a gibson much sooner.
The most music i listen to this days are more Gibson (or humbucker) related,
Joe Banamassa, Derek Trucks and so on.
I can't imagine that I could be converted these days ..initially I always used 25.25" Fender Scale length guitars (mostly superstrats) and I struggled when playing Gibsons wider neck and 24.75" scale length ..these days I think there's a place for everything that works ..I love my Lace Gold loaded Highway One Strat but also my JBLP Studio and more recently the 24.5" scale length soap bar equipped PRS Starla X ..I wouldn't be without any of them and as my main go to guitars they cover a lot of tonal ground
I can't imagine that I could be converted these days ..initially I always used 25.25" Fender Scale length guitars (mostly superstrats) and I struggled when playing Gibsons wider neck and 24.75" scale length ..these days I think there's a place for everything that works ..I love my Lace Gold loaded Highway One Strat but also my JBLP Studio and more recently the 24.5" scale length soap bar equipped PRS Starla X ..I wouldn't be without any of them and as my main go to guitars they cover a lot of tonal ground
Dave -
How would you describe the tone of the Starla. I have never played one but I like the scale length (long time "Les Paul guy" here). I have always appreciated the beauty of PRS guitars but have been turned off by the thick finish and longer scale length. The Starla seems like a pretty cool guitar...even better if it can be made with a nitrocellulose finish on the body and neck.
Dave -
How would you describe the tone of the Starla. I have never played one but I like the scale length (long time "Les Paul guy" here). I have always appreciated the beauty of PRS guitars but have been turned off by the thick finish) and longer scale length. The Starla seems like a pretty cool guitar...even better if it can be made with a nitrocellulose finish on the body and neck.
Mines a Starla X ..it absolutely shouldn't work as it weighs next to nothing ..but it sounds huge ..great feel thanks to the shorter scale and very easy to play on top wrapped 11's ..nice fat chunky neck ..great fit and finish with responsive electronics and pickups (PRS soapbars) ..I bought it because it was a was a cheap deal at the time (paid £649 as a bundle with a Vox AC4 and sold the amp meaning I got a new USA made PRS with case for around £500 
) ..I'd expected that I would sell it but I'm very impressed and it's a keeper
Joe Bonamassa Forum → Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear → Converted; From Strats to Les Pauls!
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