The Gibson Joe Bonamassa 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Aged is a premium signature electric guitar from Gibson Custom, created in collaboration with blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa. Based on the classic 1950s Les Paul design, it combines a carved maple top, mahogany back, aged Goldtop finish and vintage-inspired appointments with the high-end performance expected from a Gibson Custom instrument.

The aged Goldtop finish gives the guitar the appearance of a well-loved vintage instrument, while the one-piece mahogany neck, rounded 1950s-style profile and rosewood fingerboard provide a distinctly traditional playing experience. A pair of Gibson Burstbucker humbuckers — Burstbucker 2 in the neck and Burstbucker 3 in the bridge — delivers a broad range of classic Les Paul tones.

With its 24.75" scale length, 22 medium-jumbo frets, trapezoid inlays and independent volume and tone controls, this Joe Bonamassa signature model is designed for players who want the feel and tonal character of a classic Goldtop with the added identity of one of modern blues-rock's most recognisable guitarists.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Model	Gibson Joe Bonamassa 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Aged
Series	Gibson Custom
Artist	Joe Bonamassa
Body	Mahogany
Top	Carved maple
Finish	Aged Goldtop
Neck	One-piece mahogany
Neck Profile	1950s-style rounded
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Frets	22 medium-jumbo
Inlays	Trapezoid
Scale Length	24.75"
Neck Pickup	Gibson Burstbucker 2
Bridge Pickup	Gibson Burstbucker 3
Controls	2 volume, 2 tone
Pickup Selector	3-way toggle
Construction	Set-neck

What Makes The Joe Bonamassa 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Special?

The appeal of this guitar comes from its combination of 1950s-inspired Les Paul construction and Joe Bonamassa's signature identity.

The carved maple top and mahogany back provide the traditional Les Paul foundation, while the aged Goldtop finish recreates the visual character of a vintage instrument. The substantial rounded neck profile and rosewood fingerboard continue that vintage-inspired approach.

The pickup pairing is equally important. A Burstbucker 2 at the neck and Burstbucker 3 at the bridge provides contrasting voices, from warm and rounded neck tones through to a more focused and articulate bridge sound.

Key Features & Benefits

Mahogany Body & Carved Maple Top

The guitar follows the classic Les Paul construction of a mahogany body with a carved maple top.

This combination provides the traditional foundation associated with the Les Paul design, contributing to the instrument's warmth, sustain and resonance.

Aged Goldtop Finish

The aged Goldtop finish is central to the guitar's vintage-inspired appearance.

Rather than presenting a pristine modern finish, the ageing gives the instrument the visual character of a guitar that has been played and enjoyed for many years. This complements the 1950s-inspired specification and Joe Bonamassa's connection with vintage Gibson instruments.

One-Piece Mahogany Neck

The neck is constructed from one-piece mahogany and set into the body.

This traditional construction complements the mahogany body and is designed to provide the familiar feel and resonance associated with classic Les Paul guitars.

1950s-Style Rounded Neck Profile

The rounded 1950s-style neck profile gives the guitar a substantial vintage feel.

For players who prefer a fuller neck rather than a slim modern profile, this provides a particularly traditional Les Paul playing experience.

Rosewood Fingerboard & Trapezoid Inlays

The rosewood fingerboard features 22 medium-jumbo frets and classic trapezoid inlays.

The combination delivers familiar Les Paul styling while the medium-jumbo fret size provides a practical playing surface for expressive bends, vibrato and precise note articulation.

Gibson Burstbucker 2 & Burstbucker 3 Pickups

The guitar features a carefully matched pair of Gibson Burstbucker humbuckers:

• Burstbucker 2 — neck position

• Burstbucker 3 — bridge position

The neck pickup provides a warmer, more rounded voice, while the bridge pickup offers greater articulation and punch.

Together they provide the flexibility expected from a two-pickup Les Paul, covering clean rhythm sounds through to powerful blues-rock overdrive.

Independent Volume & Tone Controls

The traditional two-volume, two-tone control layout gives each pickup its own volume and tone control.

Combined with the three-way toggle switch, this allows quick access to neck, bridge and combined pickup sounds.

24.75" Scale Length

The 24.75" Gibson scale length contributes to the familiar feel associated with a Les Paul.

It provides the string tension and response that many players associate with the classic Gibson electric guitar format.

Tone & Playing Experience

The Burstbucker 2 and Burstbucker 3 combination gives this Les Paul a versatile voice across clean, edge-of-breakup and driven settings.

The Burstbucker 2 neck pickup is well suited to warm chord work, blues phrasing and rounded lead sounds, while the Burstbucker 3 bridge pickup provides a more focused and punchy response for riffs and overdriven playing.

The rounded 1950s-style neck profile adds another significant part of the experience. Rather than feeling like a modernised Les Paul, the instrument is designed around a more substantial vintage-style neck and traditional 24.75" scale.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Gibson Les Paul Standard

A contemporary Les Paul Standard offers the familiar Gibson platform in a more mainstream specification. The Joe Bonamassa model places considerably more emphasis on vintage-inspired construction, aged appearance and artist-specific character.

Gibson Custom Shop ’57 Les Paul

The underlying 1957-inspired concept is closely aligned, but the Joe Bonamassa model adds the artist's signature specification and aged Goldtop presentation.

Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

A standard Goldtop provides the iconic finish and Les Paul construction. This signature model adds the distinctive ageing, Joe Bonamassa association and specific Burstbucker pickup combination.

Modern Blues-Rock Signature Guitars

Compared with modern signature guitars built primarily around contemporary specifications, this model focuses heavily on the classic Les Paul formula, making it particularly attractive to players who prefer vintage-inspired Gibson construction.

Who Is It For?

The Gibson Joe Bonamassa 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Aged is particularly suited to:

• Joe Bonamassa fans

• Blues-rock guitarists

• Gibson Custom collectors

• Vintage Les Paul enthusiasts

• Players who prefer chunky, rounded neck profiles

• Classic rock guitarists

• Players seeking an aged Goldtop aesthetic

• Studio musicians

• Collectors of artist signature guitars

Suitable Genres & Applications

The guitar's Les Paul construction and Burstbucker pickups make it particularly suitable for:

• Blues

• Blues rock

• Classic rock

• Rock

• Southern rock

• Hard rock

• Modern blues

• Studio recording

• Live performance

Its broad humbucker response also makes it capable of covering cleaner styles when the guitar's volume and tone controls are used dynamically.

Story & Context

Joe Bonamassa is closely associated with the modern blues-rock guitar tradition, combining influences from classic blues, rock and vintage electric guitar culture.

The 1957 Les Paul Goldtop is an important reference point within Gibson's history, and this signature model brings together that classic design with details associated with Bonamassa's own approach to vintage Gibson guitars.

The aged Goldtop finish reinforces the connection to vintage instruments, while the combination of the rounded neck, traditional Les Paul construction and Burstbucker pickups provides a cohesive specification aimed at players who want a classic Gibson experience with a contemporary artist connection.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Detail
Brand	Gibson
Series	Custom
Model	Joe Bonamassa 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Aged
Artist	Joe Bonamassa
Body	Mahogany
Top	Carved maple
Finish	Aged Goldtop
Neck	One-piece mahogany
Neck Profile	1950s-style rounded
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Frets	22 medium-jumbo
Inlays	Trapezoid
Scale Length	24.75"
Neck Pickup	Burstbucker 2
Bridge Pickup	Burstbucker 3
Controls	2 volume, 2 tone
Selector	3-way toggle
Construction	Set-neck

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★

A premium Gibson Custom Les Paul for players who want vintage-inspired Goldtop character with a strong Joe Bonamassa blues-rock identity.

The combination of a carved maple top, mahogany construction, aged Goldtop finish and chunky 1950s-style neck creates an instrument with a distinctly traditional feel.

The Burstbucker 2 and Burstbucker 3 pairing is equally well suited to the demands of blues and rock, offering warm neck tones alongside a punchier bridge voice.

For collectors, the Joe Bonamassa association and aged presentation add further appeal. For players, the guitar provides a familiar Les Paul platform with a specification focused firmly on vintage character and expressive blues-rock performance.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

• Independent UK music retailer

• Specialist knowledge across Gibson and premium guitars

• Detailed, customer-focused product information

• Practical advice from experienced music retail specialists

• Secure online ordering

• Fast UK delivery

• Friendly support before and after purchase

• Trade-in and upgrade options available

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Gibson Joe Bonamassa 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Aged?

It is a premium Gibson Custom signature Les Paul created in collaboration with blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa and inspired by the classic 1957 Les Paul Goldtop.

Who is the guitar designed in collaboration with?

The guitar was created in collaboration with Joe Bonamassa, the renowned blues-rock guitarist.

What finish does the guitar have?

It features an aged Goldtop finish designed to evoke the appearance of a well-loved vintage Les Paul.

What is the body made from?

The body is made from mahogany with a carved maple top.

What is the neck made from?

The neck is constructed from one-piece mahogany.

What neck profile does it have?

It features a rounded 1950s-style neck profile, giving it a substantial vintage-inspired feel.

What pickups does the Joe Bonamassa Les Paul use?

It uses a pair of Gibson Burstbucker humbuckers: Burstbucker 2 in the neck and Burstbucker 3 in the bridge.

What is the difference between the Burstbucker 2 and Burstbucker 3?

The Burstbucker 2 is used in the neck for a warmer, rounded response, while the Burstbucker 3 is positioned at the bridge for a more articulate and punchy sound.

How many frets does it have?

The rosewood fingerboard has 22 medium-jumbo frets.

What is the scale length?

The scale length is 24.75 inches.

Does it have a rosewood fingerboard?

Yes. The guitar features a rosewood fingerboard with classic trapezoid inlays.

What controls does it have?

It has two volume controls, two tone controls and a three-way toggle switch.

Is the Joe Bonamassa Les Paul good for blues?

Yes. The combination of Les Paul construction and Burstbucker pickups makes it particularly well suited to blues and blues-rock playing.

Is it suitable for rock?

Yes. The bridge Burstbucker 3 provides a punchy, articulate voice that works particularly well for rock riffs and driven lead playing.

Is the neck chunky?

Yes. The guitar features a rounded 1950s-style neck profile, designed to recreate the substantial feel associated with early Les Paul guitars.

Is this a Gibson Custom guitar?

Yes. The model is identified as a Gibson Custom signature instrument.

Is the finish genuinely aged?

The guitar features an intentionally aged finish, designed to recreate the visual character of a vintage, well-used Goldtop.

Is this guitar suitable for collectors?

Yes. Its Gibson Custom provenance, Joe Bonamassa signature association, aged Goldtop finish and vintage-inspired specification make it attractive to collectors as well as working players.