Joe Bonamassa shows Mark Agnesi his 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard “Lorelei”

Watch this clip from The Collection with Joe Bonamassa and his “Lorelei” 1959 Les Paul Standard™ Burst - and Happy Birthday, Joe Bonamassa!

▶ Watch the full episode now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcqG4Zun22Y
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What makes a guitar legendary? Is it the tone, the look, or the unbelievable stories etched into its finish? In this clip from our Gibson TV episode of The Collection, Joe Bonamassa pulls back the curtain on one of the most mythic pieces in his vault and shows Mark Agnesi the previously stolen 1959 Les Paul Standard™ known as “Lorelei.”

This isn’t just any ’59 burst. With its zebra and double white bobbins, the “Lorelei” Les Paul is the very guitar once owned and played by Craig Chaquico of Jefferson Starship, heard on classic tracks like “Jane” and other late-70s rock staples. But beyond the tone and provenance lies a mystery worthy of any rock documentary.

Joe recounts the guitar’s vanishing act, where at an infamous 1978 concert at the Loreley Amphitheatre in Germany, the instrument disappeared without a trace. Lost in the chaos, it was passed through underground circles of collectors for nearly two decades before resurfacing. After establishing clear ownership, the “Lorelei” finally found its way into Joe’s collection, accompanied by a mountain of documentation verifying its clean title and storied past.

Serial number 9 2180, this Les Paul began its life as a cherry sunburst but has since aged into a striking golden hue under stage lights. Joe demonstrates where the original color still hides under the poker chip, where you’ll find the unmistakable cherry red. From its bleached-out back to its bright tonal character, this is a guitar that has some serious history!

Joe also explores the mythology of zebra and double white bobbins, diving into serial number ranges, manufacturing quirks, and the quiet obsession among collectors and players alike. As someone who prefers covered pickups, Joe shares why “Lorelei” is a rare exception and why preserving the guitar’s look as it was during Chaquico’s time felt essential.

More than just a guitar, the “Lorelei” is a survivor of Gibson Les Paul collectors’ circles and an instrument that’s traveled through decades of music history and mystery, now standing as one of the crown jewels in the Bonamassa archive.



???? Related Videos To Watch Next:
▶ Watch The Collection: Joe Bonamassa Nerdville East: https://youtu.be/xcqG4Zun22Y
▶ Watch every episode of The Collection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-yGxHWvOBs&list=PL7qLGYJiRJ1hnQpwvA7_DNB7G9lYvcAH6
▶ Watch the Joe Bonamassa Guitar Tone Master Class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3MBOI0OSTw

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