Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom - Overview and Best Prices

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom Review
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  • From Epiphone's 2023 Artist series
  • Joe Bonamassa Signature
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: ProBucker 3 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: ProBucker 2 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: ProBucker 2 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Maestro Vibrola bridge
  • SlimTaper C Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Kluson Waffleback tuners
  • Weight between 7.625lbs (3.5kgs) and 7.938lbs (3.6kgs)
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show Specs
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom Specifications
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom
General
Brand: Epiphone
Year: 2023
Configuration: HHH
Strings: 6
Made in: China
Series: Artist
Colors: Red
Left-Handed Version: Yes
Body
Type: Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany
Bridge: Maestro Vibrola
Neck
Neck Joint: Set
Tuners: Kluson Waffleback
Fretboard: Ebony
Neck Material: Mahogany
Decoration: Mother of Pearl Block
Scale Size: 24.75"
Shape: SlimTaper C
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
Fretboard Radius: 12"
Nut: Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: ProBucker 3 (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: ProBucker 2 (Humbucker / Passive)
Neck Pickup: ProBucker 2 (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3
Knobs: Bell
Volume Controls: 2
Tone Controls: 2
Hardware
Strap Lock: No
Hardware Color: Gold
Show Diagram
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom's switch options

Our Scores and Tone Evaluation

Playability 72
Sound 65
Build quality 62
Value for money 66
Overall Score 66
Tone Evaluation
  • Heavy Metal
  • Hard Rock
  • Jazz
  • Blues
  • Funk
  • Country
Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Tremolo
  • 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 Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Price Overview

Its average competitor's price is $250, which means that the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom costs around 460% more than the competition. It might be due to it having additional features, but know that you can find cheaper similar alternatives. This takes into account all instruments of the same category in our database with 6 strings and Tremolo bridge that are made in China.

User Reviews & Feedback

Not all instruments are created equally. That's why it's important to have different opinions. Here's what our users who have played this instrument say. If you've played it before, help others by voting below!

Weight

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Tuning stability

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Neck speed (thickness)

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Neck access to high frets

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Neck profile shape

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Fret edges

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Pickups noise

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Pickups power

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1 user reviews:
Albert MarkethinkPR profile picture
Albert MarkethinkPR
04/04/24 13:02:21

Worst purchae ever, just buy a Harley Benton at this point. Epiphone QC is garbage.

Often Compared With

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Hand Size Comfortability

After taking into account the neck profile, scale size, fretboard radius, and nut width, we can conclude that the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom's construction favors people with relatively small hands.

Nevertheless, this comes down in the end to personal preference. Make sure you test this guitar—or another one with similar characteristics—before buying.

Big Hands
Small Hands

Beginner Friendliness

The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, which means that it's not bad for beginners, but it could be better. 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 to get used to.

New Player Friendliness

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

Videos

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom Electric Guitar | Demo and Overview with Joe Bonamassa
Introducing the Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom Guitar - Order Now
Joe Bonamassa bought a '63 SG Custom Guitar
Nova Epiphone Joe Bonamassa SG Custom 1963
The Inspiration For The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa Firebird-1
Joe Bonamassa’s Guitar Spotlight: 1963 Gibson Firebird I “Treasure”
The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa Firebird-1 : Polymist Gold
Peach Picks | Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom - Dark Wine Red
Is this the Ultimate SG? 1963 Les Paul/SG Custom Reissue M2M Hardtail
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom in Dark Wine Red

How Lightweight is it?

We found that the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom weighs between 7.625lbs (3.5kgs) and 7.938lbs (3.6kgs). This was recorded from some online retailers that publish the weight of the instruments they sell.

Playability

Scale Length

Scale length is the distance the strings will span between the bridge and the nut. It can tell you a lot about the overall playability and tone of the instrument. A longer scale length means longer distance between frets, brighter tone and more string tension—which means lower action, but more difficult bending of the strings.

Here's the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom's 24.75" scale length compared to other common sizes:

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom Scale Length Comparison
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom's scale length (at the top) compared to other popular sizes

This is the scale length used in most Gibson guitars. If you like the playability of a Gibson, this guitar will feel pretty similar. It's a lot shorter than the typical Stratocaster (25.5'')

As you can see from the picture above, a shorter scale length also means shorter separation between frets. If you got really small hands, you probably will feel more comfortable playing this guitar than a Fender Stratocaster.

This scale length also allows for easier bends and vibratos because the strings will have lower tension due to the shorter scale.

Finally, another thing affected by scale length is tone. A shorter scale will give less room for the harmonics, thus resulting in a warmer, more 'bassy' tone.

Still, remember that you string gauge plays an important part in all of this. A lighter gauge will make it easier to perform bends, vibratos and will also give you a brighter tone.

More with the same scale length:

Neck Profile

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom Neck Profile
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom's neck profile

The neck profile tells you the thickness (neck depth) and shape in cross section. Every difference will completely change the feeling and comfortability of the neck. This is a highly subjective thing, but most players indeed prefer certain types of necks (like Cs and Ds) because they feel nice in most hands.

It has a C type neck. C-shaped necks like this have been the most popular for the last years. The reason is that they feel good in most hands. It's generally a thin neck that doesn't get in your way when playing fast, but that also has enough mass to give your hands a comfortable grip for chords if they aren't too big.

Thin necks like this make it easier to move your hand across the neck and it helps when playing fast solos, especially if you like to leave your thumb free while playing high on the fretboard. However, thinner necks are also weaker and will need adjustment more often than a thicker neck.

However, Epiphone tends to be inconsistent with the shape and thickness of their necks. So two instruments, even if they're the same model, might have necks that feel different. It's been like this for a long time, and other brands don't have this problem.

More for different hand sizes

Fretboard Radius

When it comes to fingerboard radius, personal preference will dictate which one is better for you. However, most people seem to agree that a more curved (lower) radius will make it easier to play chords while a less curved (higher) radius is better for soloing and bending.

The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom has a 12" fingerboard radius.

Here's an image comparing this fretboard radius to other popular choices:

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom Fretboard Radius Comparison with Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom's fretboard radius compared to others

This is the same radius that Gibson uses in most of their guitars. When compare to the other popular radius of Fender Stratocasters, you can see that it's a lot flatter. Guitars with this radius are usually made to bring a good balance between single-note and chord playing.

Compound radius fingerboards give the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom has the same radius across the board.

More with the same fretboard radius:

Playability compared to main competitors

24.75'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
1.693'' Nut Width
12'' Fretboard Radius
24.75'' Scale Length
Asymmetrical Neck Profile
1.693'' Nut Width
12'' Fretboard Radius
24.75'' Scale Length
Asymmetrical Neck Profile
1.693'' Nut Width
12'' Fretboard Radius
24.75'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
1.654'' Nut Width
13.78'' Fretboard Radius
24.75'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
1.693'' Nut Width
12'' Fretboard Radius

Nut Width

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom Nut Width
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom Nut Width

The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom has 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.

Frets

The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom has 22 frets. Even though 24 frets has become really popular, there's still a good reason to get fewer frets; the pickup at the neck position will be further away from the bridge. This makes the neck pickup achieve a warmer tone. You might want this if you're playing Jazz or similar genres.

However, if you don't care about the warmer neck pickup, more frets will always be better. It's always nice to have the option to play higher notes if you want to.

It comes with nickel silver frets, so they won't last as long as stainless steel frets. If you use your instrument a lot, you might need to replace the frets after a few years. But this is unlikely as most people change instruments before this happens.

More with the same amount of frets:

Fret Size

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom Fret Size Comparison
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom's fret size (in orange) compared to other popular sizes

Finally, let's talk about fret size. Some people prefer tall frets because it's easier to press the strings and perform bends since there's less friction against the fretboard. On the other hand, some people like shorter frets because they like to touch the fretboard when playing, or because they got heavy hands and tend to press too much on the string and alter the of the note pitch accidently.

The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom's frets are Medium Jumbo size. These sit somewhere between a Jumbo and a Medium fret. They're not quite as tall as a full Jumbo, so you'll still feel the fretboard, but you won't feel it as much as with medium frets. This is a good size if you want to make it easy to press the strings but would also like a little bit of ''feedback'' to know when to stop pressing so the notes don't go out of pitch.

More with the same type of frets:

Playability Score

Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 70
Playability 72

Tone

Wood will have little influence in the final tone of an electric guitar or bass. Instead, the hardware, especially the pickups, will be the most important thing to look at. Bur first, let's see the quality of the wood.

Wood

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany Body, Neck
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony Fretboard

Mahogany Body and Neck: This is the type of wood found in many top-of-the-line guitars, so that's a positive point for the build quality. This red-looking wood Mahogany is found in Africa and Central America and has great sustain and a warm tone due to its high density. The downside about this type of wood is that it's relatively heavy.

Ebony Fretboard: This is one of the most expensive woods there is, which is why it's mostly used for fretboards. It is dense, heavy, highly resistant and comes in a really dark color that gives any guitar a classy touch. Tone wise, it helps the high side of the spectrum and provides good sustain.

More made with the same wood:

Pickups

Unfortunately, it doesn't come with pickups from one of the top brands. This doesn't mean you will get bad pickups, but you might want to consider a pickup upgrade after some time.

These are passive pickups, so you can expect a rounder sound and a moderade level of output.

The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom's configuration is HHH. If you like warm tones, three Humbuckers will give you all the warmness you want, but also tons of output power. The advantage of having three humbucking pickups instead of a combination of single-coils and humbuckers is that you won't hear volume differences when switching to other pickups. And since they're all humbucker pickups, you don't need to adjust the middle pickup so high that it will get in the way of your pick.

More with the same pickups

22 Frets
Tremolo Bridge
ProBucker 3 Bridge Pickup
ProBucker 2 Middle Pickup
ProBucker 2 Neck Pickup
22 Frets
Fixed Bridge
ProBucker 3 Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
ProBucker 2 Neck Pickup
22 Frets
Fixed Bridge
ProBucker 3 Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
ProBucker 2 Neck Pickup
24 Frets
Fixed Bridge
ProBucker 3 Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
ProBucker 2 Neck Pickup
22 Frets
Fixed Bridge
ProBucker 3 Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
ProBucker 2 Neck Pickup

Versatility

It comes with the popular 3-way switch that is present in most guitars. For more versatility, players tend to prefer a 5-way switch, although it all depends on what you want to use your guitar for.

Unfortunately, it doesn't come with more options for coil split or coil tapping. This makes it less versatile than some competitors.

What music genre is it good for?

As a 6 strings, Solid Body guitar with HHH configuration and Passive pickups, we'd recommend it for genres like Hard Rock or similar. However, you can use almost any guitar for any genre. This is just the typical type of music for this particular one.

Sound Score

Pickups 60
Sustain 70
Versatility 66
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 65

Build Quality

Country of Origin

Knowing where the instrument is produced is a good way to know how well it's built. Some manufacturing countries are known for having higher quality standards. For example, most expensive instruments are made in the US or Japan, but there are some exceptionally great countries—like South Korea—that are building a good reputation.

The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom is made in China. So you can expect lower build quality when compared to others made in Korea, Japan or the United States. Guitars made in this country are meant for mass production, which translates into less attention to detail and quality control. This doesn't mean the product is made poorly at all. Chinese products have a bad reputation since long ago, but they've definitely improved a lot the last few years.

Bridge

Maestro Vibrola: This type of bridge allows you to change the pitch of the notes by pulling the bridge with the attached bar, which gives you better versatility. Also, since the bridge is not fixed to the guitar body, the bridge will move as you bend the strings. So you'll have to increase the distance of your bends to reach the same tension (note) compared to a fixed bridge. This allows you to perform smoother bends but will also make you slower. Finally, remember that this type of bridge requires a bit more maintenance than fixed ones, especially when changing strings.

More with the same type of bridge:

Nut Material

Another important thing to analyze is the nut material, as it's one of the most important aspects that can affect the sound and playability of your guitar. A well-cut nut will make sure it stays in tune and will make it more comfortable to play.

In this case, the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1963 SG Custom has a Ivory Tusq nut. This material is made to look, feel and sound like Ivory. It's made of organic polymers and doesn't contain oil or animal products. This is probably the highest quality nut you can get, so you can expect good tune stability and more clear tones when playing open strings. Most people seem to agree that it looks nicer than any plastic and even some bone nuts.

Neck Joint

The neck joint is the part where the neck of the guitar meets the body. There are three main techniques to attach both parts together: Set-In, Bolt-On and Neck-Through. The latter two provide different advantages, although neck-throughs are the most expensive.

This guitar has a Set neck joint. This type of neck joint consists of using different pieces of wood for the neck and the body of the guitar. Both pieces are then glued together. This is more expensive to make than a bolt-on neck, but it's cheaper than a neck-through guitar. Some people believe that this gives more sustain than a bolt-on neck due to both pieces having a 'better connection' than with bolts. Still, it's something difficult to prove.

However, this type of neck joint does have the disadvantage of not allowing you to easily swap the neck for another. This makes this type of neck joint less mod-friendly.

More with the same build:

Build Quality Score

Quality of materials 66
Features 55
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 62