Joe Bonamassa Epiphone Les Paul Registry (Page 12 of 16)

Don't know what a rattle can be, maybe a buzz from frets. When mine came, it badly needed the truss rod adjusting as it was way too tight with no relief whatsoever. After that I have absolutely no issues whatsoever. If it stays a problem, get a techy to do a proper set up. Not many places a rattle can come from other than bridge although mine is no problem.

To follow up with the buzzing/distorted sound. I noticed that the neck pick up had a large gab between the pick and the plastic ring. I made a small schim with cardboard and placed it between the pick up and the ring. This seems to have worked. Thanks again for your input and I hope you continue to enjoy your guitar. I think they are a great deal when you consider all the value built in to the instrument.

Regards

Albin B

I was wondering if anyone had figured out how to read the seriel numbers for the Epi Joe Bonamassa. Mine starts with 1010, I assume that means 2010 production date?

Any ideas or insights would be appreciated.

Regards

Albin B

Thanks for the information, it is very helpful to date my guitar.

Regards

Albin B

Nice axe! I fixed your link. The "img" in brackets with out a space part messes up the forum board.

...BTW , it looks like my LP has the latest production number? S/N: 11091507039

I missed out on the first run on these. Glad they did more but at the same time it does kind of suck for those thinking there would only be 1000. The reason I wanted one was strictly due to features and price. It really is a phenomenal value. This JB Tribute and the ES355 Limited edition are definitely the Creme de la Creme of the entire Epiphone Line. Doesn't matter what you already own, everyone needs one of these in their arsenal.

Upon initial inspection I was quite disappointed. All in all it looked pretty good albeit a bit plasticy with one glaring major flaw. The fret marker trapezoids  were very poorly executed. There was a 1/8" gap around all the fret markers and the filler they used was not a good match. At 5 feet it is un-noticable but in hand, it might as well be a hole the size of a quarter.

I thought this would be a deal breaker and I was so pissed I almost just closed the case so I could return it. But for some reason I picked it up and started picking.. This thing is heavy over 10lbs and even unplugged was loud as hell almost like an acoustic. Then I plugged it in. I was shocked, this thing was a cannon!!! Before I knew it 2 hours had passed. Long story short I got over my OCD need for perfection and gave it a place next to my Gibson 50's Tribute and ES355. Truth be told, I like the playability and sledgehammer crunch of the JB better than the Gibson. I loved that stock it had a real switchcraft toggle and jack. High quality fullsize long throw 500k pots and stock 50's style wiring with decent .015 and.022 caps (Even the GIBSON  JB has those crappy PCB board electronics with a mix of 500k/300k pots). This unit is getting a Elephant Ivory nut and a Faber Locking bridge with titanium saddles/steel posts and a billet steel Callaham tailpiece with steel tonepros locking studs. Perfection for under $1000.

UPDATE

Installed the Elephant Ivory nut, Steel tailstop w/locking steel studs and the Faber Hybridge w/steel studs. Transformation was DRAMATIC!!! The guitar lost the little bit of low end flubbiness it had without losing the low end growl. It is more articulate with clearer string to string definition even while played under a long sustaining power chord. While the Guitar was quite excellent right out of the box (It has been the ONLY guitar I have ever owned that I did not feel compelled to upgrade) I am well versed in what steel upgrades and a true Ivory nut can do for any guitar so I made the upgrades anyway. Boy am I glad I did.

This guitar will now hold its own against any Les Paul at any price having no weaknesses. One of myfriends that I jam with from time to time has a 1960 Les Paul that he bought in 1973. Current Value $100,000+++ and I have to tell you the Epi JB is right there and at least its equal in performance and tone. In your hands it has an alive quality that just begs for it to be pushed. Harmonics and subtle nuance jump off the fretboard without any effort being made to find them. There is a distinctive boost with the volume that only kicks in at 9-10 and it works just like a boost pedal. The last little umpphh that comes from that puts the unpotted Burstbuckers right at the edge of out of control and produces easily controlled,very musical feedback right at your fingertips.

I can't say enough good things about this guitar. Easily the best purchase I have ever made. Time will put these in a class of their own and they will do nothing but appreciate in value with each passing year.

Owner: tonemaster58
S/N: 12111518231
Mfg Date: 11/2012
Quality Issues: noted
Country: Land of Milk and Honey

John Lankford
Sevierville, TN

11071508958