Gibson Les Paul Junior

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.