Gibson Les Paul Junior

Has p-100's with the look of soapbars. 22 frets. 2 humbuckers. 2 volume and 2 tone top hat knobs. Mahogony kneck with a slim taper. Mini trapezoid fret inlays. Rosewood fretboard. Tune-o-matic bridge with a stopbar tailpiece. 3-way pickup selection with chrome hardware. The pickguard is shaped kind of weird. Ebony.

The sound this ax give is in my opinion, phenominal! I love it. I run it through a digitech RP3(my own personaly created effects), a Peavey Studio Chorus 210 and occasionaly a Dunlop Limited Edition Wha-Wha pedal(it kicks!).When set on a clean setting and using the neck or middle selection on the selector switch, it gives beutiful, fat, rich sound. Wsitch it to the bridge pickup and run it through some grunge and it turns into a monster! I really like the sestain it gives. The frets are wide for easier playing. I have absolutely no complaints with the sound.

Everything was great when I got it except on the 21st fret, there was a little bit of goue or something on it. It was yellow. I scraped it off. You couldn't really notice it in the first place but I got rid of it anyway. Other than that, there wasn't anything else wrong with it. The action was set perfectly the way I like it.

It is ebony so everytime you touch it, you leave you fingerprints all over it. The finish would still last though. It has withstanded plenty of playing and abuse from me and still sounds as great as the day I got it. I would use use in a gig without a backup only if I had to, but I usually don't. This is just a personal preferance of mine. I wouldn't go on stage with any 1 guitar without a backup just because you never know what might happen.

Never dealt with Gibson

When I first seen it, I wasn't sure if I liked it or not(it was a gift from my parents so I didn't get to pick it out myself). After I picked it up and hit a chord, I knew immediately that it was the perfect guitar for me. I woulnd't want anything else if I had a choice. I love the sound and the feel. There is nothing that I hate about it. I think that my favorite feature is the fact that its made by Gibson, so you are guarunteed the best.

This is an amendment to my original post, a ways down the page.
'93 Les Paul Junior. Black. Tune-o-matic and stud type string retainer.
As it turns out, this guitar came equipped with a P-100 stacked humbucker (looks just like a P-90).
The Electric Pickups section has a pretty good run down of the difference, but I'll add my $0.02 below annyway.

I originally assumed this guitar had a P-90, so am reposting because it does sound a bit different than a P-90.
To my ears, a P-90 has a raw tone in the bridge postion (this guitar has only the bridge postion). This P-100 has less character, less "urgent" sounding. Not as rude. I A/B'd it with a '56 LP junior and though the guitars felt very similiar, the '56, though noisier, sounded better distorted in this configuration. The P-100 sounds better clean, as it IS cleaner overall, at the expense of some character. The P-100 still sounds reminiscent of a P-90, but a "tamed" P-90. This guitar (with P-100) sounds better with some processing than dry. I've been using a ZOOM Acoustic 504 pedal, which sounds good in the stereo modes. The P-100 still sounds like itself in all of the ZOOM modes, but the pedal seems to put back some shimmer and character that was lost. It won't sound raw though. It is capable of some interesting sounds, processed. But unprocessed it isn't a "to die for" sound. Just electric guitar. The balance is excellent string to string, and it is a single coil sound, with absolutely NO mud. I think eventually I'll modify and coil tap, as per SteveAloha's recommendations, over on the pickup review section. For now, I'm still experimenting with the processor, trying to find "my" sound.

as before

I still really like this guitar, despite its lack of "attitude." The stack keeps hum reasonably under control, so I'm gonna stay with it and work with effects to dial in what I'm looking for. So far I've found a couple Danny Gatton tones that are very convincing.

This is a 1990 Les Paul Jr. It's Double Cutaway and TV Yellow. It's mentioned in the LP Jr. "HoF" Edition entry in this database. This one has the "Gibson" decal, not the nice inlay or "HoF" decal on the back of the headstock. There is a "HoF" Jr. at my local Guitar Center (SF) for $1300. No thanks.
Slab mahogany body, 22 frets, 1 P-90 pickup, Volume/tone control, Rosewood Fretboard, Grover-mini tuners, Tune-O-Matic and stop tail (+!), black pickguard.
It came with a non original cheesy old case, so I sprung $90 for an SKB at Guitar Center. On this, I recommend, when mail ordering a guitar, asking whether or not the "case included" is crappy. I also sprung $5 for a kamikaze strap. Sweet!
Overall, it's a Gibson. For what is has, it's not short on quality.

I play in a '77-style punk band. I bought this guitar because Johhny Thunders played a vintage 1960 model in the NY Dolls and Johnny Witmer of the Stitches plays the same (1990) guitar. I love both of their sounds. I also read Steve Howe's description of his 1960 model. "There's only one sound. You plug it in, and there it is." That sounded cool.
I use it through a 1997 Vox AC-30TB with Greenbacks. For leads, I use the Vox Distortion Booster pedal, but I'm looking into a FullDrive2. There is a slight hiss when I'm within 5 feet of the Vox.
My other guitar is a '52 RI Telecaster, so I'd have to say that this one is not as bright, but I'm spoiled that way. Nothing is as bright as a Tele. What this guitar has over a Tele is punch. To be picky, when I play a chord on Tele, it shoots harmonics everywhere. It's all over the place, cuts through anything, which is what I want for single note leads. The Junior is way more focused, thicker, and nastier.
I was considering a Seymour Duncan P-90, but their literature points to more midrange in their pickups. I would consider putting a vintage P-90 in it, if I could find one.
I first strung it with D'Addario 11-49s, but it wasn't working, so I went to 10-46s.
Great sounding tool.

The action and pickup adjustments from the store were fine.
The original (1960) models came with the wrap around bridges, same with the new "Historic" models, and the Epiphone Jr. I'm not a big fan of this set up, so I was pleased to find this model has the Tune-O-Matic bridge. I also prefer the Grover Tuners as opposed to plastic tipped Klusons, original or reissue.
On these points, this isn't an "exact" Reissue. That's great, because a wraparound bridge and cheap old tuners are two reasons I wouldn't buy an LP Jr. It makes it a better playing guitar.
Moving on, it has a '60 neck profile, which is thinner than '50s versions, to me, more like a Fender. Unlike my Fender, it has pretty tall frets.
The finish is pretty good. I'm rubbing it off the front edge, where my strumming forearm burns it off.
The one part mine was missing was the little piece of wire that holds the bridge saddles in when the string isn't there (ie, I break a string and begin searching the floor for the tiny saddle). Not wanting to search for such a silly, yet important, part, I fashioned one from...a "G" string!
As they say, "Modern Life is Rubbish".

The hardware is all good quality, I am unafraid of it breaking or failing. I bought it used and play it hard, so I am continuing the wearing off of the finish. I replaced the strap buttons with StrapLoks. I restring it often, especially before shows. That's the only reason I think I would need a backup guitar. I usually bring two guitars to gigs with me anyway.

I bought it used, so there isn't any warranty. I've been lucky enough to have never had any guitar product I've purchased go wrong in a major "I have to call the manufacturer" way. From what I've read, it's never fun.

I'm very happy with this guitar. My friend has the Epiphone bolt neck version, and I imagined this to be a high quality equivalent. That's what it is. I love the simple layout, the no frills, dependable, nasty sound, and the great looks. I'd like a little more shimmer in the highs. I didn't have a chance to compare it to other models as I hate going into stores and trying stuff out. Had I been in the store, I might have asked for some money off for the finish blemishes, but that's mail order and I think I got a fair deal.
Stolen? I'd probably move on and try a P-100 Special. I would also like to try humbucker equipped GoldTop or Custom.
I've been playing for 8 years. I have this Gibson, the Tele, and a Ric 360. One amp, the Vox AC-30. Going by what my favorite bands play, I'd say my next purchase would be a 100W Marshall.

This sunburst beauty was one of 3129 shipped out by Gibson in the nifty fifty year 1956.Brazilan rosewood fretboard, Honduras mahogany body, holly veneer headstock, baby thin frets, one volume and one tone control, nickel wrap around bridge/tailpiece and one soulfull black P 90 sreaming pick-up comprise this wonderful but basic TONE MEISTER.The cheap tuning pegs have been replaced by new cheap Chandler tuning pegs(originals are in the case).For the 1950's, this guitar rates a 5(excellent woods/pick-up), but on todays wood availability and production minded standards this rates a 10.

Les Paul JR's can have a thin sound or thick(Leslie West-Theme from an imaginary western/Mississippi Queen).Plugged into my Marshall Bluesbreaker, this classic drips with woman tone.Plugged into my Fender Bronco w/Marshall 4x12 cab it sounds "Fenderish" on clean amp setting and Zep-like(Communication Breakdown) on crunch amp setting. For a basic no frills axe, this axe plays and sounds very balanced. The noticeable flaw is the noisy pick-up which is the nature of this beast.
The tone control does something that alot of current guitars don't do- like change tone.If you own guitars that look like a bad dream or a juvenille phallic toy with only a volume knob, then you should check one of these no frills tone instruments out.

This guitar has not been abused in it's 40+ years on Earth.It has visited many bars, recording sessions and concerts and has held up extremely well.The color/finish/frets/volume&tone knobs/pots are all there and original.The slight checking give this Jr character and true vintage vibe.

Aside from the tuning machine replacement, this guitar has held up remarkably. Even though it was made for a budget/student market, Gibson and Mr. Les Paul got it right.The same tone woods as it's big brother the LP Standard but without the maple top.

I,m on my own on this one. Forty+ years, many owners this guitar is musician friendly and only needs occational luthier caressing. The warranty is long gone-the guitar still sings.
Gibson Jr reissues seem stiff and are expensive-if your in the market for a LP Jr try and fit a real one in your plans.

I've been playing for 30+ years and this guitar is very much a part of my musical experiences(not to dramatic, huh?).If it was stolen I hope the thief dies in a flaming jet at 2000 feet. This is the one to keep.

1993 Gibson Les Paul Junior (used), bought in March '98. Gloss black. Single P-90 pickup, bridge position. Tune-O-Matic bridge and stud tailpiece. Solid body-single cutaway. Unbound rosewood fingerboard. Medium frets. Pearl dot position markers. Small key Grover tuning machines. 1 Volume control, one tone.

I use for blues, good stinging treble tone. Non-confusing control layout. Excellent sustain! Used with Ampeg Jet II tube amp, straight in. Some hum, easily cured by reorienting (turning). Gets a Fender Tele or Esquire tone, but fatter and chunkier, much better sustain. Tone control usable for limited variation. Fortunately, the basic sound is good. Not sweet, but woody and punchy. Great overdriven sound. Clean sound is basic roots music twang. Not a lush jazzer.

Supreme neck (why I bought the thing), nothing better. Very low action with super slinko strings and NO buzzing. Excellent fit and finish. Simple, solid, and everything lines up beautifully.

Despite the limitations inherent with a one pickup guitar, this is a professional quality guitar. Suitable for world tours. Very solid construction. No worries.

No warranty. As is, used. Nothing much to go wrong. Neck perfect. Typical Gibson quality. I don't expect any problems.

Playing since 1960. Also have an acoustic flat-top. And an Ampeg Jet II tube amp. I bought this guitar because of its terrific neck. I'll live with its shortcomings (not much tone versatility, but what there is = GREAT). It was cheap for a USA made solid wood name guitar. I wish it had two pickups, but I'll live. I have played lots of Teles & Strats, but this little ax has sustain and punch. Its different than anything I thought I'd ever wind up playing, but what can I say? Its in the fingers! It jumped off the rack and begged me to take a chance, so I bought it. Its not one of a stable, its my only electric.