Few modern guitarists have done more to put vintage guitars in the spotlight than Joe Bonamassa. Alongside his reputation as one of the world’s leading blues rock guitarists, Bonamassa has become equally well known for his extraordinary collection of vintage instruments, particularly the legendary Gibson Les Pauls that have become such an important part of his sound.
For Bonamassa, however, these guitars are far more than expensive collector’s pieces. He has always been an advocate for actually playing vintage instruments, taking some of the rarest guitars ever made onto stages and into recording studios around the world. His collection is enormous, but a handful of particularly special guitars have become synonymous with his playing.
Principal Skinner
Perhaps the most famous guitar in Bonamassa’s collection is his 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard, serial number 9 1951. Originally known as the “Skinner Burst” after the auction house through which it was sold, Bonamassa acquired the guitar and renamed it “Principal Skinner”, after one of his favourite characters from The Simpsons.
The guitar is an exceptional example of a 1959 Les Paul, with a striking figured maple top and the kind of powerful, immediate sound that has made the model so desirable amongst players and collectors.
Bonamassa has described Principal Skinner as his favourite Les Paul, and it has become one of his most recognisable instruments. The guitar has been played extensively, including on stage and in the studio, rather than being kept away as a museum piece. Bonamassa has even pointed to the natural playing wear on the back of the guitar as an example of the history that makes an old instrument special.
Gibson later recreated Principal Skinner as the Joe Bonamassa “Skinnerburst” Les Paul, with aged examples produced to replicate the appearance and character of the original. The model was based closely on Bonamassa’s own guitar, including its distinctive Dirty Lemon style finish.
Spot
Another of Bonamassa’s most important Les Pauls is “Spot”, a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard that has also seen plenty of stage use.
Spot has its own history of modifications and repairs. The guitar was refretted, while a Bigsby vibrato that had previously been fitted to the instrument was removed during the 1980s. Rather than viewing these changes as detracting from the guitar, Bonamassa’s approach reflects his wider philosophy towards vintage instruments: these are guitars that have lived lives before they reached his collection.
Spot was one of three golden era Les Pauls Bonamassa was touring with during a 2013 Premier Guitar rig rundown, alongside Principal Skinner and “Runt”.
Runt
Completing the trio was “Runt”, a 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard.
Although the differences between a 1959 and 1960 Les Paul can seem subtle to the casual observer, players who know these guitars understand that the neck profiles can be noticeably different. Runt has the slimmer neck associated with the later 1960 guitars, giving it a different feel from the larger neck found on many 1959 examples.
The guitar also carries some unusual evidence of its past. A Gibson Amps decal was once applied to the body, leaving darker marks behind when it was removed.
It is details like this that make Bonamassa’s collection so fascinating. These aren’t simply pristine examples of famous guitars. They are instruments with decades of history, modifications, repairs, wear, and stories attached to them.
The 1960 “Batman” Les Paul
Bonamassa’s collection isn’t limited to 1959 Les Pauls. Another particularly interesting example is a 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard, serial number 0 0137.
Although the serial number dates the guitar to 1960, Bonamassa has pointed out that the instrument retains many of the characteristics associated with the 1959 models. The guitar has also become known as “Batman”, thanks to its unusual, distinctive bridge.
The guitar was significant enough to become the basis for Gibson Custom’s Collector’s Choice #3 recreation, giving players the opportunity to own a version of one of Bonamassa’s own historically important instruments.
The “Magellan” Burst
Another of Bonamassa’s 1959 Les Pauls is serial number 9 0829, affectionately known as “Magellan”.
The name reflects the guitar’s travelling history. Bonamassa has taken the instrument around the world, although transporting a genuine 1959 Les Paul presents rather different challenges from travelling with an ordinary touring guitar.
With original examples of the Sunburst Les Paul now among the most valuable vintage electric guitars in existence, Bonamassa has spoken about the lengths required to transport them safely. In fact, airline rules can require an instrument of this value to have its own seat on a flight.
It is a perfect illustration of the unusual life these guitars lead in Bonamassa’s hands. They are enormously valuable pieces of music history, but they are also working instruments.
Beyond the Les Paul
While the Les Pauls might be the stars of the collection, Bonamassa’s taste in guitars extends across the history of Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, Martin, Rickenbacker, and plenty of other manufacturers.
His collection has included guitars such as a 1964 Gibson ES 335, a 1966 Gibson Firebird I, a 1963 Firebird without a tremolo, a 1972 Gibson ES 355, Fender Stratocasters and Jazzmasters, Gretsch models, and unusual vintage instruments from manufacturers well outside the traditional blues rock canon.
One particularly unusual instrument is his 1969 Grammer Johnny Cash model. Featuring a distinctive grey burst finish, the guitar was apparently designed with Johnny Cash’s stage wardrobe in mind. Bonamassa has described it as a rare guitar with an unexpectedly impressive sound.
There is also a 1972 Gibson ES 355 in the collection, an instrument Bonamassa particularly appreciates because of its connection to Freddie King, one of the blues guitarists who helped shape his own playing.
The Firebirds
Bonamassa has also developed a strong affinity for Gibson Firebirds.
His collection has included both a 1963 non tremolo Firebird and a 1966 Firebird I. The 1963 instrument has an especially interesting story, having been given to Bonamassa by a fan.
The Firebird occupies an unusual place in Gibson history. Designed during the early 1960s with a radical reverse body shape and through neck construction, it was a significant departure from Gibson’s established Les Paul and ES designs.
For a guitarist whose collection is so heavily associated with Les Pauls, the Firebirds demonstrate that Bonamassa’s interests extend well beyond one particular model.
The “Holy Grail”
Perhaps the ultimate example of Bonamassa’s approach to collecting came with a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard, serial number 9 0346.
This guitar was described by Bonamassa as his “Holy Grail” and was later included in a unique auction connected with his music. The instrument was paired with a 1963 Fender Vibroverb amplifier and used in the recording of his previously unreleased song “Broken Record”.
The Les Paul was an extremely original example, retaining its original PAF pickups, pots, capacitors, and wiring. Even the replacement tuner buttons were appropriate reproductions of the original parts.
It is a fitting story for a guitar from Bonamassa’s collection. Rather than simply being sold as a valuable vintage instrument, it was connected directly to new music and given another chapter in its history.
Why Vintage Guitars Matter to Bonamassa
What makes Bonamassa’s collection particularly interesting isn’t simply the number or value of the guitars. It is the way he talks about them.
He has consistently treated vintage guitars as musical instruments first and valuable objects second. His famous Les Pauls have been taken on tour, played in studios, and used to create records rather than simply being displayed behind glass.
That philosophy is important because it goes against the idea that a vintage guitar needs to remain completely untouched to retain its significance. Bonamassa’s instruments often show decades of playing wear, previous repairs, replaced parts, and modifications. Those details form part of their history.
For Bonamassa, the character of an old guitar comes from the combination of its construction, its condition, its history, and the player holding it.
The Guitars Behind the Sound
It would be easy to look at Joe Bonamassa’s collection and focus purely on the money involved. Genuine late 1950s Les Paul Standards are amongst the most valuable vintage guitars in the world, and Bonamassa owns several.
But that misses the most interesting part of the story.
These guitars have helped define the sound of one of the most successful blues rock guitarists of his generation. Principal Skinner, Spot, Runt, Magellan, his Firebirds, ES models, Stratocasters, and countless other instruments have all played their part in recordings and performances throughout his career.
Bonamassa has also helped introduce an entirely new generation of guitarists to the history behind these instruments. Through his performances, interviews, gear features, signature models, and extensive discussions of his collection, he has shown that vintage guitars are not simply relics of the past.
They are tools for making new music.
And perhaps that is the most important thing about Joe Bonamassa’s guitars. For all their rarity, history, and value, they are still guitars.
They were made to be played.
