Gibson Les Paul Reissue R9 Ex Joe Bonamassa

Joe Bonamassa
(1977)

Main guitar: Gibson Les Paul Standard 1959
Must-listen track: Sloe Gin

It’s not easy to reinvent yourself as an adult artist when you’ve been a child prodigy. Joe was a student of Danny Gatton and a protégé of B.B. King before he was even old enough to drive a car, touring with the band Bloodline (alongside other prodigies who were children of stars like Miles Davis or Robby Krieger) before he could vote. But it all could have ended just as quickly — in fact, all the other members of Bloodline faded into the showbiz ether. Bonamassa, however, has always had an unstoppable work ethic, and through relentless touring, he managed to carve out his own sound and build a solid solo discography.

It all started in 2000 with *A New Day Yesterday*, a perfectly respectable blues album featuring guest appearances from Leslie West, Gregg Allman, and Rick Derringer, who all gave their blessing to the young guitarist. At the time, Bonamassa played Strats and Teles, and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s influence could still be heard in many of his licks. But gradually, he found his own voice when he switched to Les Pauls and combined his Marshall Silver Jubilees with a few boutique amps, creating a tone that was both bluesy, fat, and organic. Around the same time, producer Kevin Shirley began collaborating with Bonamassa — a partnership that started with *You & Me* (2006) and continues to this day. *Sloe Gin* (2007) and *The Ballad of John Henry* (2009) were major successes that cemented Joe’s reputation as the savior of the blues — the future of a genre once thought to be reserved for retiring baby boomers.

Since then, Bonamassa hasn’t slowed down his touring schedule and continues to find creative ways to vary his shows — whether through tribute concerts to Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, tours dedicated to the Three Kings of Blues, or celebrations of the British Blues Boom. He also records with singer Beth Hart and plays in bands like Black Country Communion (alongside bassist/singer Glenn Hughes) and Rock Candy Funk Party. At the same time, his intense passion for collecting — understandable for someone who was born into guitars (his father owns a guitar store) — has only intensified. He now owns around a dozen Bursts, two Korina Vs, and a staggering number of rare instruments. Still, these guitars aren’t just locked away — they hit the road with Joe. After all, that’s what they were made for.