Dillion DLJR 57 W

Brand new 2008 Touring Edition Dillion LP Junior. Cherry Red. Came with Hardshell case, Tweed strap, etc. Made in Korea for Dillion USA.
If you know Les Paul Juniors, you know how this is laid out. Minimalist perfection. Really, I think any guitar with one P-90, one volume, one tone, and good tuners is all you need.
This guitar is a quite refined version of that concept. The mahogany body is beautiful, It actually has a real bone nut, and Wilkinson tuners and "Bad Ass" style intonatable bridge.
Set neck, double cutaway. the perfect Punk Rock guitar.

As I stated, Juniors and Junior style guitars are my specialty, an obsession even, and I am not stupid enough to worry about trivia like whose logo is on the headstock. I would certainly rather buy from small independant comapnies like Dillion, than companies like the big G.
Having said that however, I have owned a Gibson '55 Re-issue Junior, a Gibson Faded TV Yellow Lp Special, and a Gibson Melody Maker Re-Issue. They are all sold now, and although I do miss them on occasion, only the '55 Re-Issue was actually a GREAT guitar, the others were just OK. I actually owned an Epiphone TV Junior that I liked alot more than the Gibson MM or Special. I have also, by the way, owned several Epiphone Juniors over the years. But never mind that.
This Dillion is, and I am not joking or exaggerating, the best Junior style fiddle that I have ever owned. The wood is prettier, it stays in tune better, it sounds just as good, and compares overall extremely well to any Gibson or Epi I have ever had.
I use it with a Hot Rod Deluxe if you care.
I play Punk/Post Punk/Rock N Roll type music. I guess the New York Dolls would be a good example. The Buzzcocks, even pop stars like The Killers and Green Day would be somewhat similar.
www.myspace.com/chazmatthews666
And yes, this guitar suits me perfectly. My first solo record was cut with my '55 Re-Ish Gibson Jr.,which is no longer in my posession (I'm pretty sure Noelle from Damone has my old Gibson, BTW) and I am so psyched to have this Dillion to record with now.

No flaws, looks and sounds amazing. Factory set up decent, but of course I neededto put my stink on it by setting it up myself. Always put your own stink on new guitars!

It's built like the proverbial tank.
Never gig without a backup. Changing strings onstage (in the event of inevitable breakage) is a huge no-no, Nannette.

I've emailed with John Dillion several times. What a nice dude. I also previously owned one of his Mosrite copies, which I was impressed with, but this guitar is so much better than that, even.
I imagine Mr Dillion would be very helpful with service and general advice about his guitars. He was really cool to me, took the time to answer emails personally. He's a rocker from way back, he knows what's up.

I have been playing for 27 years, I've owned hundreds of guitars in that time. I'm ALWAYS buying/selling/trading. What I am telling you here is true. Dillions are friggin' great guitars. For the money, they're amazing guitars.

If it were stolen or lost, I'd definitely need another one. I'm thinking about getting the TV Yellow one too, just because they would look cool sitting in my living room together, or by my amp onstage. I think about things like that, I'm a complete weirdo.

Before I bought this I was pining for my old Gibson LP Junior, now I'm not. So there.

Copy of a 1957 TV Yellow double cutaway Les Paul Junior with a 'tortoiseshell' scratchplate. Wraparound adjustable tunomatic bridge/tailpiece. Fat neck with 22 Gibson style frets. One volume one tone single P90 dog ear type pickup. This is one of the Dillion 2008 'Touring' editions and comes in a fitted rectangular hard case with a Dillion branded 'tweed' strap, D'Addario strings and allen keys.

It sounds very good indeed. I use a Fender Blues Deluxe and have been able to get a big range of sounds and loads of sustain. Well screened and quiet, plenty of middle for those overdriven Buzzcocks and Status Quo sounds. My only criticism is the tone control which doesn't seem to do anything until turned two thirds of the way round.

No flaws. Arrived set up with a fairly low action and perfect intonation. The finish is beautiful (If you like yellow). The Volume and Tone knobs are cheap and plasticky and will shortly be replaced with a pair of Gibson style black bell knobs - they should do this in the factory. My only other niggle is the size of the pearloid 'Dillion' logo on the headstock. It's just a bit over the top. My other Dillion (See DJ70E review) has a discreet small script rather than this big thing.

It's rock solid and very well made. Anyone who takes the 'You can't compare this to a real/old/well played/expensive/Gibson blah blah etc' is just perpetuating the myth that great guitar sounds come from the instrument rather than from the sensitivity, touch and talent of the musician. I've owned nearly 30 guitars in as many years, some costing more than 10 times the price of this Dillion and with the exception of the ones which didn't stay in tune, they all sounded like me playing a guitar - funny that! Somebody one approached Richie Blackmore and gleefully told him they were the owner of the same year and model of Strat he used on 'Burn' to which he replied 'So what, I've got a new one...'

You can't buy Dillions in England so I had mine mailed by Musician's Mate of Cary North Carolina. Great communication by E-Mail and a good deal.

I've been playing for 30+ years and have been through Gibsons, Fenders, Rickenbackers and a host of other makes. I currently have a Dillion Acoustic/Electric and a Hofner Violin Bass. If this junior were stolen or lost I would buy something very similar. I love the scale length, compact shape, neck profile and simplicity. I would prefer it if it had a compensated one-piece bridge rather than the adjustable one as the bridge saddles are a bit sharp - I might file the corners off!