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Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard
Solar A1.6LB
VS
Playability
73
Sound
65
Build
57
Value
70
Score
65
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Playability
73
Sound
79
Build
68
Value
73
Score
73
FIND IT ON:
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Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard vs Solar A1.6LB Specs Comparison
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard Solar A1.6LB
General
Brand: Epiphone Solar
Year: 2024 2021
Configuration: P90P90 HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: China Indonesia
Series: Artist Type A
Colors: Brown Green Burst Matte
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Alder
Bridge: LockTone Stop Bar Evertune F-Type
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Epiphone Deluxe Solar 18:1 Locking Type
Fretboard: Laurel Ebony
Neck Material: Mahogany Maple
Decoration: Pearloid Trapezoid Solar Logo on 12th Fret
Scale Size: 24.75" 25.5"
Shape: Custom '59 Rounded C Solar C Shape
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 12" 13.78"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Graphite
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Epiphone P-90 PRO Soapbar (Humbucker / Passive) Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Epiphone P-90 PRO Soapbar (Humbucker / Passive) Duncan Solar (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Speed Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 2 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Nickel Black
Show Diagrams Comparison
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard's switch options
Solar A1.6LB pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Solar A1.6LB's switch options

Reasons to Get
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard over Solar A1.6LB

Release Year
2024 vs 2021
From a more recent year
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Graphite
Resistant, good tuning stability and rich tone
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Pickups
P90P90 vs HH
Vintage tone with decent versatility
Bridge
Fixed vs Evertune
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 13.78'' (350mm)
Easier to play chords without muting strings

Reasons to Get
Solar A1.6LB over Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard

Country of Manufacturing
Indonesia vs China
Built with higher quality standards
Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickups Brand
Duncan Solar vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Pickups
HH vs P90P90
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Evertune vs Fixed
Fixed bridge that will keep the guitar in tune forever
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
13.78'' (350mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
73 vs 70
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard vs Solar A1.6LB

Bridge Pickup
Epiphone P-90 PRO Soapbar vs Duncan Solar/Bridge
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Epiphone P-90 PRO Soapbar vs Duncan Solar
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Alder
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Laurel vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs R6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Graphite
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard vs Solar A1.6LB

Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Decorative Top
Maple vs Flame Maple Veneer
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Frets
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

Solar A1.6LB Prices

    SET PRICE ALERT

    These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Hand Size Comfortability

    After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both favor small hands .

    Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands
    Solar A1.6LB:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands

    Beginner Friendliness

    Both meet 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

    New Player Friendliness

    Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard
    • Comfortable shape
    • Easy-to-use bridge
    • Tall frets
    • Comfortable neck
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Narrow nut
    • Short scale
    • Locking tuners

    New Player Friendliness

    Solar A1.6LB
    • Comfortable shape
    • Locking tuners
    • Tall frets
    • Comfortable neck
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Narrow nut
    • Short scale
    • Easy-to-use bridge

    Sound Quality Comparison

    The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

    Woods Used in the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard

    Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
    Mahogany
    Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
    Laurel

    Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

    There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

    Woods Used in the Solar A1.6LB

    Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
    Maple
    Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
    Ebony
    Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
    Alder

    Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

    Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

    Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

    Winner: Tie.

    Pickup Configuration

    The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard has an P90P90 configuration while the Solar A1.6LB has HH pickups.

    P90P90 gives you two P90s for a crunchy vintage tone. The tone sits somewhere in the middle between typical single-coils and humbuckers. They also produce less hum than single-coils, but they don't cancel it completely like humbuckers.

    On the other hand, Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

    Pickups Quality

    The Solar A1.6LB pickups from a more specialized brand than the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

    Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

    Winner: Solar A1.6LB.

    Versatility Comparison

    Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

    Switch Options

    The Solar A1.6LB gives you 5 switch options while the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard gives you 3. This means that the Solar A1.6LB gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

    Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

    When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

    Winner: Solar A1.6LB.

    Final Sound Quality Scores

    Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard
    Pickups 60
    Sustain 75
    Versatility 53
    Tuning Stability 70
    Sound 65
    Solar A1.6LB
    Pickups 85
    Sustain 75
    Versatility 57
    Tuning Stability 100
    Sound 79

    Build Quality Comparison

    When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard compares to the Solar A1.6LB.

    Country of Origin

    The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard is built in China while the Solar A1.6LB is made in Indonesia.

    China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

    Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

    Winner: Solar A1.6LB

    Nut Material

    If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

    The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard has a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

    On the other hand, the Solar A1.6LB comes with a Graphite nut. It's a self-lubricating material that will allow the strings to slide over the nut without a lot of friction. It's a good type of nut if you want to have better tuning stability than with plastic, although it's not as resistant as Bone or Tusq.

    Winner: Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard.

    Fret Material

    Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

    In this comparison, the Solar A1.6LB is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

    Winner: Solar A1.6LB.

    Bridge

    The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

    The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard's brige is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

    On the other hand, the Solar A1.6LB's is a Evertune. It will keep your guitar in tune and intonated until the next string swap. If you really like extremely subtle vibratos, this might not be the bridge for you because you won't be able to perform them as well. However, the fact that you won't need to tune your guitar is a huge advantage that many people will gladly pay the extra price for.

    Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

    Winner: Solar A1.6LB.

    Tuners

    The Solar A1.6LB has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

    Winner: Solar A1.6LB.

    Neck Joint

    Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

    Both have a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

    Winner: Tie.

    Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard
    • Expensive Wood
    • Ivory Tusq Nut
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in China
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • No Neck-Through Build
    • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Luminescent Inlay
    • No Tremolo
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Solar A1.6LB
    • Stainless Steel Frets
    • Locking Tuners
    • Expensive Wood
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
    • Luminescent Inlay
    • Made in Indonesia
    • No High-Quality Nut
    • No Neck-Through Build
    • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Tremolo
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

    Final Build Quality Scores

    Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard
    Quality of materials 60
    Features 50
    Quality Control 60
    Build Quality 57
    Solar A1.6LB
    Quality of materials 63
    Features 65
    Quality Control 75
    Build Quality 68

    Playability Comparison

    Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

    Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

    Nut Width

    Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard Nut Width
    Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

    The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 43mm (1.693'').

    This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 6-string guitar. It offers a good balance of string separation at the nut. It's the size that most guitarists prefer as it gives them just enough space to play open chords without muting the strings, but without spreading the strings too wide and making bar chords difficult to perform.

    Scale Length

    Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard's Scale Length
    Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard's Scale Length
    Solar A1.6LB's Scale Length
    Solar A1.6LB's Scale Length

    The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

    The Solar A1.6LB has the longest scale: 25.5". The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard is only 24.75" long. This is a 0.75'' (19.1mm) scale length difference.

    This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

    This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

    Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

    Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

    Neck Profile

    Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard Neck Profile
    Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard's neck profile
    Solar A1.6LB Neck Profile
    Solar A1.6LB's neck profile

    No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

    Both the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard and the Solar A1.6LB have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

    Fretboard Radius

    Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard Fingerboard Radius
    Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard's Fingerboard radius
    Solar A1.6LB Fingerboard Radius
    Solar A1.6LB's Fingerboard radius

    Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

    In this case, the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Solar A1.6LB's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Solar A1.6LB.

    Still, both tend to favor soloing over chords, so if you're looking for a guitar for playing rhythm, you might want something else with a radius closer to a Stratocaster's 9.5''.

    Fret Size

    Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard Frets Size
    Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard's Frets Size
    Solar A1.6LB Frets Size
    Solar A1.6LB's Frets Size

    The Solar A1.6LB has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard's Medium Jumbo frets.

    Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

    Final Playability Scores

    Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
    Chord Playability 65
    Solo Playability 70
    Playability 73
    Solar A1.6LB
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
    Chord Playability 50
    Solo Playability 90
    Playability 73