Joe Bonamassa

Joe Bonamassa is an American blues-rock guitarist who is as well known for his collection as for his playing. His favorite guitar is the Gibson Les Paul: he keeps several original 1959 Les Pauls, along with an early 1960 Standard he calls "Royal Albert" and a 1959 Les Paul Custom "Black Beauty" with two pickups instead of the usual three. His collection is housed in a museum-like space he calls Nerdville, and also includes a 1955 Fender Stratocaster and a rare late-1950s Gibson Flying V.

On amps he is a famous user of Dumble Overdrive Specials, often paired with Marshalls (his favorite is the Silver Jubilee) or late-1950s style Fender tweed amps such as the Bassman and Twin.

His signature models span several makers. Gibson Custom Shop released a Gold Top Les Paul inspired by his childhood guitar as a limited drop of 300, Epiphone has made a long line of Bonamassa models (an ES-355 replica, a '59 Les Paul Custom, a Black Beauty and a 1963 SG Custom, among others), and Martin has issued a reissue of his 1941 acoustic as its first Bonamassa signature.