Gibson Les Paul Junior

2001 Les Paul Jr
One Word - BASIC!!!
1 P-90, Wraparound Bridge, Vol, Tone
You don't need any more than that
Beautiful dark sunburst, great looking piece of Mahogany
Nice fat fifties neck + 22 medium frets

I play anything from Dead Kennedys to Elvis to The Who plus a little bit of jazz (that's TRAD Jazz, the stuff talentless old people play here in Australia). Gets a perfect "Bleach" era Nirvana sound with my Boss DS-1 and a great Dead Kennedys sound. Basically, it's useful for anything not requiring a neck pickup or in extremely HI-GAIN situations (AAHHHGG!!! THE SQUEALING FEEDBACK!!! MY EARS!!!) Definitely NOT a metal guitar. Great for General Rock, Old Blues (The stuff before "I Use My Neck Pickup And Have A Crap Strat Tone" Stevie!), Rock and Roll, Punk (even that new "so-called" punk for people who can only play power chords and sing in irritating, whiney voices and run around naked in video clips) plus it can even do a bit of country. I run it through a Boss DS-1 Distortion, Vox Wah, Danelectro Tremolo, Dan-Echo and a Marshall AVT275.

Action Is fine for my liking (Not too low, not too high)
The stopbar bridge works suprisingly well with 10-46s and the intonation is great
Bought it shopsoiled so it had a couple of chips and scuffs but who cares, I can't wait 'till the cellulose finish starts to crack and craze and get great wear marks!

There's nothing on it to break! You could hammer away at it all night and you would only need to tune it before each set (A good thing to do anyway) Solid as a Buick. Not as heavy as one though! Finish will probably start to wear (I hope). The only gripe is the strap buttons. Get some washers to use as straplocks if you want to use it safely on stage. I wouldn't you use it on a gig without a backup because I might break a string. As with all Gibsons, watch out for the headstock!

I have been playing almost 3 years (Started on new years eve 1999!! Spent half of the night trying to play the Peter Gunn theme and the other half trying to feel up my friend's cutie of a cousin!!)
Got this guitar fo under cost price - very happy indeed. It's my new knockaround guitar (Bye-Bye Epi Goldtop - YUK!) and I hope to have it a long long long time.

It's a 2000 Gibson Les Paul Jr. with a single cutaway. Made in Nashville TN. You know the basics: 1 P-90 pickup, 1 volume, 1 tone (and unlike other models this tone actually works), 24 3/4" scale, 1 11/16" nut width with a "beefy" 50's neck profile and a wraparound tailpiece. It also has a solid mahogany body and neck with a rosewood fingerboard with fat Gibson style frets. It comes with Gibson Deluxe tuners (think Kluson style tuners that really work). It has a glossy finish that is the more Tobacco Burst color than the vintage Sunburst. It came with a padded gigbag.

I play many different musical styles including rock, punk, rockabilly, twangy country, etc. It can suit pretty much any style I play with the right gig setup. I mainly use it for the heavier stuff because it suits that style perfectly. The only pedal effects I use are a MXR Distortion+, an Octavia, and a Vox Wah-Wah pedal. I play these through a Danelectro DM-25 amp in the studio and through a Sunn Concert Lead (the greatest solidstate amp ever made). This guitar can have everything from a bright sound to a warm bluesy sound or even a threatening growl depending on how you use it. It does have the 60-cycle hum, but all good guitars have that. I love the feel of the neck and teh overall weight of this guitar. It is not as balanced as a Strat or SG, but there is something very satisfying about its heft. On a side note - be sure to use a locking strap, Gibson strap holders are notorious for slipping out.

The factory setup was just as one shhould expect it - GENERIC. This is my pet peeve with most of the morons who right off the guitar because they don't like the factory setup. Jeezuz people, learn to set up your own guitar and always have the tools with you. Back to work. As far as the pickup adjustment, you really can't adjust the pickups height, but you can adjust the individual pole pieces. I found them to be perfect straight from the factory though, it's not like they haven't had time to perfect it. My only real complaint is the wraparound bridge, I prefer a Badass bridge so that I can adjust intonation. All of the hardware and finish are in excellent condition, even after a year of weekly abuse.

This guitar was made with live playing in mind - but always carry a backup if you want to be a professional. Just wait until you've broken off a headstock at a show and tell me you never need a backup. These LP's were built to last. As I said above (and as with any Gibson) always use strap locks is you are playing live!

I have had three Gibson's but I have never had to contact customer service. I have heard that they can be difficult to reach, which is understandable considering how many of their guitars are floating around out there.

I think that this is one of the greatest model guitars ever built. It is extremely versatile and unlike crappy Korean models it is built like a tank. The only reason I do not rate it a perfect 10 is because there is no such thing as a perfect guitar, they all have some kind of limitation. This one just has fewer than almost anything else.

Made in 2001/2. It's a strange one (but free, too)... I won it in a songwriting contest, so it's completely black, with a plastic "pick-guard" covering most of the top. Under the plastic, it's blue and features both Hard Rock Cafe and Intel logos. Single pickup (p90 or 100 - not sure which). It's got all the features you need in a single pickup guitar!

I play mostly rock. It suits that style just fine. I play it through a Behringer V-Amp2 (and sometimes through a nasty Gorilla practice amp). The guitar is extremely quiet. Great amount of variety between the tone and volume settings - surprising when there's only two knobs.

Action is very low - nice setup. It does go sharp on the first fret if you press the higher strings too hard (ex - when playing a first position D chord).

Finish (what I can see of it) is flawless. I might remove the Hard Rock/Intel ads, though. Sorta cheesy, if you ask me.

Very solid throughout. I'd use it anywhere, from the rock gigs I do to my church worship team (I occasionally lead worship).

N/A - never needed to contact them.

I've played guitar for 17 years, and also own a nasty Explorer copy (an Eagle brand), an Epiphone acoustic, and Tama drums.

Again - it was free, so I have no complaints! I probably would not buy another one - given my own devices (and cash), I'd probably buy a Telecaster. However - this guitar absolutely rocks, and it's definitely a keeper!

1959 Jr. double cutaway with p-90. Had a refinish in the 70's but otherwise original. Big 50's neck. One vol one tone ( it actually is useable!!!!) It's a 10 because it does what it does so well.

It's a brash, over the top rocker. It snarls and pops a little. I don't use this guitar when intonation is critical. It's a rocker. The tone knob is great. This thing feeds back to the 5th harmonic soooo cool. I use it with a Carl Martin compressor into a TS-10 to a Gibson GA 15 RV.

Terrible intonation ( non-compensated wrap-around bridge). Had a refret I think - not to bad. It's a hunk of very resonant old growth mahogany. It's a player - I got it relatively cheap because of the refin.

I need a second guitar (strat) for more melodic stuff. It's solid of course.

N/A

Playing for 35 years. Tone freak - no digital. Like I said this is the one I play when I want a screamer.

Not alot youve heard it all aready. About as simple as you could get.

OMG! This is the best sounding guitar Ive ever heard. It beats the LP studio hands down. That has a mushy mudy sound, this has a nice well defined and thick sound. Its actually extremely versitle also, it may not seem taht way but it really is. Once you take away the neck pickup and selector switch, you really see how versitle a guitar this simple could be. Handles rock perfectly, roll down the volume to about 4 and put the tone at about 5 and you have a great jazzy bluesy sound. Then put the volume at 6 and the tone at 8 and you have instant led zeppelin, classic rock crunch. Gibson really hit the nail in the head with this one.

Beautiful finish, perfect intonation, and good action, no fret buzz and sustains forever.

I couldnt beleive the value of this instrument. Ive been playing for quite a while. I never expected this

I have an earlier review of my '59, and a few months back I found a '57 Sunburst LPJ. This one is is good condition, but battle worn. Of course, USA single P90, etc, plastic tuning heads. "Stock."

The neck had a few pits and dings, so I gave it a l ight sand and an oil finish.

Some people would call it a sin, but now feels terrific to play. Nitro tends to drag a bit, and appearance wise this changes it very little. Didn't do this to the body, though!

There is a school of thought that an LPJ is thebest ever sounding rock guitar. Last weekend I took it to a jam with some pro's.
The singer (many years on the raodexperience) thought it sounded awesome. I loaned it to a strat player, and couldn't get it back all day. He said that "now I know what the fuss is about!!."

This guitar certainly sings and has tone on tone. Sustains beautifully. I use it with a heap of different amps/boxes, but any good distortion will make it work, and even just thru a good amp will work just fine.

If you like a single coil sound, keep the treble wound on, for a more Gibson tone, just back it off. Easy.

Still plays fabulously well, mine has low action and light guage strings. Would probably execute people's ears with heavier ones...!!

This is just two simple lumps ofwood + a pickup, and nothing really gets close to it.
But it ain't no "precision" engineering, although you could argue that it is elegant in its simplicity???

Can't see why they won't go forever.

Tuning pegs are not great, but they do thejob.

I've been playing for 40 years.
I have many other guitars, (Strats, Teles, Les Pauls, etc) but of its "type" it has to be the most outstanding for feel and tone. Mine is very light, huge sounding, has a fat neck. Not all are the same: I tried 4 - 5 in the shop, and this one shone out like a beacon.
In fact I managed to buy it a whisker before a well known player made a grab for it.

If you are thinking of a vintage strat, etc, OK, but if you have never looked at these, do yourself the justice.
My 59 + this 57 are just the mose awesome sounding guitars you will find. A joy to play, and as I would have it "the soul of rock and roll." Ask Keith.

The LP Jr. I have is a 1959 double cut-away with the 3/4 neck. This was, of course, made in the USA with old growth lumber, mahagony at that. It has the P-90 pick up (side bar- to those of you out there that have read ad nauseum about the P-90 and wonder what the hubbub is... well trust me, when you hear it, you'll know.) I don't know about "woman tone" or "creamy" or whatever. It just sounds incredible. This one still has the wrap-around bridge and the original tuners, frets, knobs, etc.. I'm going to put a badass and some new klusons (so long as I don't have to drill)on it, to improve playability and keep the old parts as good as possible.
The finish is a light brown, not sun burst, and shows the beautiful, straight, plain, wood grain. It's not a flame, or quilted, birdseye, triple A, smartwood.... It's mahagony like you don't see on new guitars I don't care how nice they are. Because it is the age it is (older than me) and still works (better than me) I give it a 10!

It sounds like rock & roll.

This guitar's action is great for me. Pretty low but no buzzing. The frets are great but on a 3/4 neck they are REALLY close together. This will take time to get used to.

Everything about this guitar seems solid as a rock.Theres a few dings on it and the finish has age lines, but nothing is peeling. I want to change the tuners and bridge mainly to keep the original pieces intact in case I ever (sob) sell this. Everything has lasted for 43 years so far so I see no reason that they'd fall apart on me in the near future. As far as a back-up.... ATTENTION all musicians! You want to know what's more boring than watching someone tune up??? Nothing. ALWAYS use a back-up.

The Gibson of 2002 shares only the name and legal marketing rights of the magical company that made this guitar.

This is more of a story here than an actual review. I got lucky to stumble on this guitar and it was all due to great hot dogs. You see, there's a place called Velvet Freeze which has created "The Wonder Dog". It's a thing of beauty. Seems I had a meting to attend recently and Velvet Freeze was on the way. I stopped in for lunch and when I left I noticed this music shop 2 doors down (in a strip mall). I saw that they carried "band accessories" so I figured I'd go in and have a laugh at all the merchandise with list prices marked on it. Well, 1st thing I saw when I walked in was the Jr. So, thanks to hot dogs and my love of seeing things priced to high, I got a great guitar and I'm rescuing another Jr from the dull life of sitting on a "collector's" shelf.

Hmmm....let's see...features. One p90 pickup. Solid, flat, slab mahogany(sp?) body and neck. Fat '59 neck. One volume. One tone control. Cherry nitro finish beat with checking, play wear and belt rash. Wrap'a'round tail piece. Pure rock'n'roll.

Like I said. Pure rock'n'roll. Fat p90 growl. Sounds great with a blackface twin but I'm using a '71 Marshall Super Lead....and I love every minute of it. Keith and Johnny can't be wrong!

Super low classic Gibson action and 43 year old finish all add up to the best damn guitar I've ever had and will have. Finish flaws, you ask? Heh. 43 years of rock'n'roll and you think it's got finish on the neck?

Well, hell. You could shoot smack, pass out on stage, wake up in a fit, fall down again, and it's still in tune.

I'm a big fan of any company that would make such great guitars and I would hope that If I were ever to buy a new one I would never need to contact them for any reason...but if I did, I'm sure they would fix my problem.

Life's to short for sh*tty tone.

Brand new Les Paul Junior from the current line in a vintage sunburst finish, a little bit darker than the sunburst finish of the originals ''fifties'' models. US made, mahogany body and neck, 22 frets, one P 90 ''dogear'' pick-up, one tone & one volume control.
Simple tuners, one cutaway model ... All you need to play the blues !

You can't beat a P 90 ... It's a legend & a part of music history.
It sounds perfect through my Fender Super Reverb amp ... a very good combination !

It's not a Custom model, nor a Standard ! but I like the simplicity of the instrument, a real ''working'' tool.

I don't play in a Metal Band ... I'm 52 years old and play the Blues since the mid sixties... I've never beat my guitars, and the oldest, a 63 Telecaster looks like a new one !
I think that the Les Paul is made to last for long... don't let it fly above the amps on stage ! but I know some Les Paul with repared necks ...

I've a ES 135 since 1995, and I've had a Les Paul De Luxe from 1975 to 1984... I have the Junior since january 2002... Never had to deal with Gibson.

My main guitar is a 1994 Fender Stratocaster, all stock except the remplacement of the bridge pick-up by a small coil humbucking (Di Marzio).
I play some Jazz and Blues (mainly blues) ... the Junior was attented to be a back-up for the Strat... but I take it more and more on the road !

I got this '56 Les Paul Junior from a friend. This is the best guitar that I have ever played. It has a sunburst finish. It is a single cutaway with the one P-90 pickup. It has the original Kluson deluxe tuners.

It has a great Rock sound. I like to play Classic Rock and it fits perfectly. I play it through a marshall combo and a vintage Ampeg B-15 with the fliptop head.

I had it setup to my likings and it is perfect. The finish has finish cracks, but that just adds to the beauty. Neck is perfectly straight.

This is the most dependable guitar I have ever played. I have owned many different Gibsons and this is the ultimate guitar. It has lasted perfectly over the 40 some odd years, so I think it will last 40 more. This is the perfect example of Gibson's quality.

I called Gibson to confirm the year of the guitar and they were very nice.

I have been playing for a while and have owned a few different Gibsons. I would recommend anybody to buy one of these guitars. However, I don't think that there are many out there. If you ever find one, do yourself a favor and buy it. You will not be disapointed.