Vintage Faves with Joe Bonamassa | 1959 Gibson EMS-1235

Рет қаралды 122,697

Күн бұрын

Check out our collection of vintage guitars:
www.guitarcenter.com/Vintage/...
Guitarist and collector Joe Bonamassa shares another one of his “favorite finds" from Guitar Center. This time it’s a rare “unicorn”-a blonde-finish 1959 Gibson EMS-1235 doubleneck that’s a combo plate of a 6-string guitar and mandolin.
Gibson started making doublenecks in 1958, and they were available only as custom orders. Even the cases were produced on a one-by-one basis. It was also a time when Gibson would make almost any doubleneck you asked for-two basses, two 6-strings, a 12-string and a 6-string, a mandolin and a 6- or 12-string and so on.
“You had to order this and wait for it,” explains Bonamassa. “It was not a product Gibson would make dealers stock just in case someone came in looking for a guitar and mandolin. This example is very rare, because it’s in a factory-blonde finish. Most EMS-1235s were white or sunburst-although the late, great Robbie Robertson’s EMS-1235 was cherry red.”
Bonamassa remembers he walked into a Guitar Center about ten years ago and bought this EMS-1235 ("EMS" stands for Electric Mandolin Spanish, by the way!)-along with a 1955 Fender Stratocaster hardtail that was part of a set from the same owner.
“I’m a guitar collector, but I’m also a guitar player, so I have to serve both sides of the fence,” says Bonamassa. “The ones I play have new frets and stuff like that, and you’ll see them onstage. But for the ones I collect-I want to be a custodian to history. When I look down at this guitar, everything on it was made in America. It harkens back to the days when this country made everything. The craftsmanship and inventiveness involved in doing something like this-that’s why I collect these things. This is a big guitar to play, and it’s my job to preserve it, play it, enjoy it and treasure it.”
Take a look at Joe's 1939 Martin 000-42:
• Vintage Faves with Joe...
Get up close and personal with Joe's 1958 Gibson Flying V:
• Vintage Faves with Joe...
Keep ups with Joe Bonamassa:
jbonamassa.com/
Chapters
00:00 - Intro with Joe Bonamassa
00:41 - Overview and Features of Joe’s 1959 Gibson EMS-1235
02:52 - Playing the 1959 Gibson EMS-1235
03:54 - A Look Into Joe Bonamassa’s Guitar Collector Mentality
04:48 - Playing the 1959 Gibson EMS-1235 (Cont.)
06:07 - Outro

Пікірлер: 147

@guitarcenter 15 күн бұрын

What are your thoughts on this unique 1959 Gibson EMS-1235? Let us know in the comments! 👇

@monochromedout 14 күн бұрын

What was the signal chain?

@db5757 13 күн бұрын

It’s beautiful and sounds great when Joe plays it.

@guitarcenter 13 күн бұрын

@@monochromedout Joe was playing into a Suhr Hombre combo amp. He also had a Tube Screamer that he was using. If you want to check out the Hombre: www.guitarcenter.com/Suhr/Hombre-1x12-Tube-Combo-Guitar-Amp-Brown-1500000321010.gc?source=4GOA4LOBA

@crucified-music 9 күн бұрын

JOE BONAMASSA IS A DOUCHE BLUES kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r8yap5yHxtG5oo0.html

@bobalmighty2925 7 күн бұрын

I wish my local GC looked like that.

@eyedunno8462 9 күн бұрын

A PAF-equipped mandolin is the single most wildest, completely bokers and yet perfect idea for a double necked instrument. I can't believe there was a time where we were this cool to make these and those days are long, long gone

@bubbashadetree262 14 күн бұрын

Absolutely incredible! Around 1960, I sent Gibson a letter telling them how much I love Gibson guitars. Got a letter back along with their current catalog. I slobbered and dreamed all through that catalog for years (I was 8 years old & had a pawn shop 1958 ES225T). My heart always skips a beat when I see PAFs, P90s, raised pickguard & florentine cut-away. I still have my 225 &have multiple Es335s & Les Pauls. Those Gibson necks just feel like home.

@starmanoretorno 12 күн бұрын

0:21

@user-fv5yo5fi5c 14 күн бұрын

Gotta love Joe and his enthusiasm about preserving history. In addition, he's only my favorite guitar player alive today. Thanks Joe

@crucified-music 9 күн бұрын

JOE BONAMASSA IS A DOUCHE BLUES kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r8yap5yHxtG5oo0.html

@marysefonta8371 7 күн бұрын

Double Neck , Fabulous , Joe 🎸 ! Joe , you're the Best Teacher for Guitars and Guitar's History !!

@Henkerhaus Күн бұрын

That thing sounds absolutely amazing!! Especially in the hands of such a great blues player like Joe.😊

@levistubbs8949 2 күн бұрын

I love Joe's enthusiasm, so cool !

@Joey_McElroy 14 күн бұрын

A PAF for the mandolin is absolutely a dream! 😮 love Joes playing, seen him live twice now. Every time he comes to our area, the wife and I Go see him!

@davemis40 14 күн бұрын

Surprised Page didn’t have one of these

@Skillet1965 11 күн бұрын

Or John Paul Jones even

@shawnmcvey7789 5 күн бұрын

@@Skillet1965Jones probably would've ordered a mando/bass version.

@user-xc8ir7ng9z 8 күн бұрын

Stunning, what a beautiful double neck. In my 62 years on mother earth. This is the first time I've seen one of these. This guy Joe is not bad on the guitar.🤘🤘☮️

@alexanderwes5204 11 күн бұрын

What a great looking and sounding guitar. And Joe's playing, just awesome!

@bustedfender 14 күн бұрын

I had a vintage Gibson banjo once. Stupidly, I left it on the front seat when I parked to use a gas station restroom. When I came back, someone had smashed my window and left another one next to it.

@djwarren5081 8 күн бұрын

Joe is so talented. Always a pleasure to listen to him play.

@vikiryan822 Күн бұрын

The mandolin part was beautiful.

@rodolfolarrea8493 14 күн бұрын

Joe B became a custodian of American history … and a blues guitar master

@crucified-music 9 күн бұрын

JOE BONAMASSA IS A DOUCHE BLUES kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r8yap5yHxtG5oo0.html

@gregorywall7586 13 сағат бұрын

Wow. Very cool. History and then some...

@DamonBates 14 күн бұрын

such a gift to have joe do this stuff for us.

@crucified-music 9 күн бұрын

JOE BONAMASSA IS A DOUCHE BLUES kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r8yap5yHxtG5oo0.html

@powerinformation 14 күн бұрын

That mandolin playing sounded great and he transitioned to the guitar well after too

@user-qr7ee2cp4y 11 күн бұрын

Never knew Joe played mandolin

@user-ey7jo8cz1o 14 күн бұрын

Thanks for the history lessons.

@hakamag 11 күн бұрын

even with shitty headphones those PAFs really hit different. what a sound!

@vikiryan822 Күн бұрын

I love how his eyes when he goes full nerd 😍😍😍

@tonywilliams3896 14 күн бұрын

What a fab instrument, played by a master

@jfinester 14 күн бұрын

I first became aware of these early Gibson hollow doublenecks in the early ‘70s. I’ve never seen one in person-I think it was in a catalog reprint. I’ve always wondered why Gibson never made a singleneck 6-string with this sort of construction-it sounds great! And Joe’s playing is killer too. Never knew he played mandolin!

@russellzauner 14 күн бұрын

JB needs to release a record of mandolin music now. That was a nice little bit he did.

@livewire4495 14 күн бұрын

Outstanding! That Baby sings!😎

@markhill9275 14 күн бұрын

Thanks Joe, now i have to buy a mandolin and learn to play it! Thanks a Lot mate, grrrr! That sounded incredible! Straight away thinking of Going To California, or Battle Of Evermore!

@mlrrock1 13 күн бұрын

Love Joe, be true to yourself always. Keep on rocking

@marcosdilo9540 9 күн бұрын

Hola David ! hace 15 años que vengo escuchando esta tanda de videos con tu música! Hoy los volví a escuchar ! , gracias por la inspiración amigo!!

@ryanmillar9607 14 күн бұрын

Like all great guitarists, it doesn’t matter what tool you give him, he makes it sound like it should.

@russelmurray9268 5 күн бұрын

Thanks for picking. Beautiful

@dannyvalencia5224 7 күн бұрын

More of these guitars!

@scottschlemmer4787 14 күн бұрын

Never saw one of these. Marty Stuart would make that bad boy sing.

@MG-jw6uy 14 күн бұрын

That's a Barker! sounds amazing Joe!

@stratman9449 14 күн бұрын

lovely insriment..very quirky...and unusual...something rare and special...and surely "precious".....$$$$$...cheers Joe. thx for showing it to us...and play it of course....

@stratman9449 14 күн бұрын

"instrument" of course.....cheeze....

@olgashudofsky2830 13 күн бұрын

❤❤❤ I so much love to see you play this combination with the mandolin ❤❤❤. It has a great sound. You might consider composing a new song specifically on the this combi guitar and bring it with you to the shows despite it being a collector's item😊

@donsaxon1169 14 күн бұрын

These things sound incredible.

@ethanhitchcock5431 10 күн бұрын

Lookit that wittle pick guard up top under the mando pickup !

@zachkieri1185 8 күн бұрын

Leave it to Joe to not only Jam the heck out of both necks but to make it musical as well

@acevent5759 4 күн бұрын

What at cool guitar!

@SteveOuimette 14 күн бұрын

From what I understand this is the same type of guitar Ace Frehley used on "Fractured Mirror" from his '78 solo album. He said it was a double neck Gibson sort of like Jimmy Page's but it had a mandolin on the top neck. Either way, amazing guitar and super rare!

@scott729 12 күн бұрын

Tone is fire, sir..... good God

@katjoe1974 Күн бұрын

Super cool guitar. I definitely won’t be going to Guitar Center though- The wal-mart of music stores. Never had a good experience with them

@davidbeloved1 6 күн бұрын

Super Cool, sounds Great, Joe!

@johna1160 14 күн бұрын

Absolutely gorgeous looking instrument, prosaic looking tailpieces the only let down style wise. Love the tones from the PAF p'ups, particularly the six string. B roll shots of the back and sides would've made presentation even better. Wanted to see the maple grain on the (single piece?) back and neck, and back side of headstock. Also, a peek at the custom Lifton case. Note to GC - please take comment as suggestion for future videos rather than merely complaining.

@FrancescoDAndrea 13 күн бұрын

That mandolin can SOUND!

@phillipgreene2564 8 күн бұрын

THIS MODEL IS ALL MADE IN AMERICA INCLUDING THE GUITAR MAN 💪

@mikerider58 14 күн бұрын

God bless you Joe. You do a wonderful job.

@dr.weebrule3423 14 күн бұрын

I have been playing guitar for a decade now. And I have never seen anything like this guitar or heard

@stoatystoat174 14 күн бұрын

I could feel my right foot going into sleepy tingles just watching

@markhill9275 14 күн бұрын

You think of this you think John Paul Jones and his 3 neck!

@aaronmichaelhayworth4697 10 күн бұрын

I’d love to see this in the hands of Chris Thile on stage for one night! What a crazy instrument.

@christopherbigenho5125 9 күн бұрын

Joe, please gift this to Mr. Drew Emmett. Legions of fans would love to experience him moving from 6 string to Mando on so many Leftover Salmon tunes.

@eyedunno8462 9 күн бұрын

Why the fuck would he do that??

@buckodonnghaile4309 7 күн бұрын

I had Gibson custom build me an electric sitar/octobass combo in 1967. I blame Owsley Stanley for that one.

@charles56737 12 күн бұрын

Awesome Demo

@adamstewart247 10 күн бұрын

This is great. Now both headstocks can break off at once unexpectedly 😂

@edbenelli5374 13 күн бұрын

Not a guitarist, but seems like some killer Led Zeppelin should be played on that unicorn

@tunelowplayslow5623 9 күн бұрын

Would love to see someone make one of these but a with 12 string guitar. Semi-hollow would be awesome.

@kylemoran4343 14 күн бұрын

My mind goes straight to Marty Stewart or Ricky Skaggs. That guitar would be so practical for either one of those players. Or Jimmy Page in the rock world... "Going to California" comes to mind. Thnx Joe !

@brushstroke3733 14 күн бұрын

I'm probably mistaken, but I think John Paul Jones played the mandolin on that song.

@kylemoran4343 14 күн бұрын

@@brushstroke3733 You are correct my friend. I was mistaken. I think it was the "Battle of Evermore" that Jimmy played the mandolin. I just remember seeing Jimmy playing one on that "It Might Get Loud" film.

@daveblevins3322 9 күн бұрын

Excellent 👌

@mr.smithgnrsmith7808 12 сағат бұрын

BEYOND COOL

@brushstroke3733 14 күн бұрын

The tone on the six string sounds Cream.

@shawnmcvey7789 5 күн бұрын

That Mando side needs to be paired with a chorus and delay. For science.

@allenmitchell09 14 күн бұрын

Joe will be known as the great collector.

@marclandry4525 14 күн бұрын

The Collector Supreme!

@MBRMrblueroads 14 күн бұрын

It sounds great

@mp-kq3vc 14 күн бұрын

I know Epiphone has taken great leaps into quality lately, but there's just something in the sound of a Gibson that pokes out of the amp. Even in a compressed KZfaq video.

@Ottophil 14 күн бұрын

I don’t care about tone or looks. But nitro just feels better on the hands

@user-fv5yo5fi5c 14 күн бұрын

@mp well said man, and so true.

@mp-kq3vc 14 күн бұрын

@@user-fv5yo5fi5c I have Epis and I have Gibsons. Took YEARS to afford the Gibsons. To me, and this is subjective, Epis just sound like there is a wet blanket over the guitar sound, no matter what "classic" pickups I install in them.

@markhill9275 14 күн бұрын

Eastman are every git as good as Gibbos, possibly better with the Lollars, just that now their prices have gone into Gibson territory! Glad i bought my 486 and Gold top when i did!

@user-fv5yo5fi5c 14 күн бұрын

@@markhill9275 Mark, the whole this is as good as that and so forth are all 100% subjective. Eastman's are great guitars, but they will never have the same resale value as a Gibson. That's why most people spending a lot of money on a guitar go for Gibson more often than not. If I'm dropping 5K on a fiddle, I'd like to know that 5 years down the road it hasn't gone down by 50% in value. Most Eastman's do exactly that unfortunately.

@KuuchWizard 8 күн бұрын

I want to see Chris Thile on the mandolin neck

@OzziePete1 11 күн бұрын

Would be THE perfect guitar if your band wanted to cover "Stonehenge" by Spinal Tap! I have always liked these thicker double necks from Gibson. Never seen one over here in Australia. I wonder if Gibson Custom Shop would do one today as a Special Order?

@brunoantony9257 14 күн бұрын

Gibson needs to make these again

@charlesbolton8471 14 күн бұрын

Gibson Custom Shop probably would make one if someone wanted one. I’m sure it would be extremely expensive, but no doubt less expensive than the originals.

@bladeoflucatiel 14 күн бұрын

Those PAFs 🤤🤤🤤

@dezionlion 9 күн бұрын

Get inspired new builders! It’s just spruce, mahogany, and rosewood!

@NamelesIsTaken 14 күн бұрын

I’d love to learn to play that mandolin part. Was that improvised, or is that a known song that I could track down?

@noctxrnyl8240 9 күн бұрын

i dont think original PAF's will ever be beat. that thing has THE sound

@bobbywest8460 8 күн бұрын

That tone….

@KesslerMickschGeorgeII 9 күн бұрын

Looks like something Gatemouth Brown would’ve used

@robnamowicz8073 14 күн бұрын

Parson's street would make anything, Kalamazoo's finest!

@frankdiaz5877 13 күн бұрын

the most under rated player jb is #1 and a dam nice guitar to

@donsaxon1169 14 күн бұрын

I think a t top would sound great for the mando.

@jeffh9020 8 күн бұрын

I know I've heard the piece he played on the mandolin but my recall won't jump the bridge. Can anyone tell me the title?

@rjrguitar 14 күн бұрын

What amp was used please? It sounds incredible.

@guitarcenter 14 күн бұрын

He's playing into a Suhr Hombre combo amp. He also had a Tube Screamer that he was using. If you want to check out the Hombre: www.guitarcenter.com/Suhr/Hombre-1x12-Tube-Combo-Guitar-Amp-Brown-1500000321010.gc?source=4GOA4LOBA

@crucified-music 9 күн бұрын

@@guitarcenter JOE BONAMASSA IS A DOUCHE BLUES kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r8yap5yHxtG5oo0.html

@SJoiseyKid 14 күн бұрын

That checking! 🤤

@charlotteglover2159 14 күн бұрын

Got a question is that thing semi or full Hollow because the body is pretty thick compared to a regular double neck Gibson inquiring minds want to know

@lachl8634 11 күн бұрын

What amp is this running through?

@thijsornurst578 5 күн бұрын

the moment this video began, i thought he was gonna play weezer

@robbie5984 10 күн бұрын

I wonder how much he paid for that a decade ago. I see one listed now, but it is a 1962 in white. It is listed for $140,000.

@Gretschman44 8 күн бұрын

"It walked into in guitar center" and that person got $200 in trade and they sold it for six figures to JB lol.

@rickessegern1920 13 күн бұрын

Interesting that the fretboards and headstocks don't match?

@slave_planet 9 күн бұрын

Dang, missed his calling. Should have stuck with the mandolin.

@whitec59 4 күн бұрын

How much is that worth?

@loganhall7776 8 күн бұрын

Fun fact: $685 in `59 was over $7k in 2024 money.

@RjBenjamin353 11 күн бұрын

3:27

@ST-xg3gy 8 күн бұрын

Surprised Jimmy Page didn't pick one up.

@paulpappas6345 14 күн бұрын

Give that guitar to Marty Stuart

@CapoKabar 13 күн бұрын

God damn

@Bodiddley788 6 күн бұрын

Joe, I can show you how to play that.

@stevenbaggett6549 Күн бұрын

$689 in today's money is around $7300

@kylemoran4343 14 күн бұрын

"AMERICAN MADE EVERYTHING" What HAPPENED to us ? We are TAUGHT to be "consumers" not BUILDERS anymore. 😞

@FRRGC 14 күн бұрын

I think it has more to do with companies realizing they would make higher profits outsourcing labor to countries with cheaper wages and sell their products at an overall cheaper price. We were guilty of buying the cheaper products which made the made in USA companies fail, but if these companies decided to accept lower profits and bring the work back to the USA (or maybe government intervention in the form of tariffs to incentivize that), everything could be made in America again. Lord knows we have the workers struggling to find careers.

@ariclippoldt7423 14 күн бұрын

My local guitar center has no vintage anything... and they only have like 5 brand new gibsons on the top shelf and complain about getting them down and then try to rush you outta the store when you want to play it for longer than 5 minutes. I used to buy picks and strings there, now I won't support the corporate giant that has the worst pictures and descriptions known to man on their website listing. Reverb is where it's at. Sweetwater for everything else.

@dougdavis8986 13 күн бұрын

Support your local mom and pop store. Sweetwater is owned by a hedge fund and Reverb is owned by Etsy which is a corporate giant as well. No different than Guitar Center.