Gibson Les Paul Junior Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1956), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
This is a great-sounding, all original Les Paul Junior; a nice player's example of this classic '50s solid body with a fairly heavyweight body and one very lively P-90 pickup. The top sports a great vibrant sunburst finish with minimal fade, while the neck has a lovely feel that is not as chunky as some '50's Juniors. As the name implies the Les Paul Junior was the most basic of Gibson's 1950s signature line, with a single P-90 pickup and simple bar bridge/tailpiece. This very lack of complexity stood it well then and now-launched in 1954, the model was a success right from the start. Over 3000 were sold in 1956, the original version's peak production year.
While designed as a student guitar, the Junior has become justly renowned as one of the crunchiest and most powerful of straight rock guitars, with fantastic natural overdrive capabilities when paired with the right amp. The combination of the solid, thick mahogany body and neck with the single dog-ear mounted P-90 and bar bridge maximizes tonal response. Many prefer this model to all others for both crunch rhythm and searing lead. From Leslie West to Mick Ralphs, Johnny Thunders to Paul Westerberg to Billie Joe Armstrong, Gibson's original 1950s Les Paul Junior has proven itself over and over to be the most basic of rock machines, as simple and effective as they come.
Overall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 11/16 in. (4.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This Junior is relatively clean overall, with a nice unfaded sunburst with only some typical checking and small dings and wear marks. The bottom edge shows a bit of finish checking and small areas of loss from exposure to moisture just around the lower strap button, which itself has a small piece worn away. The guitar has been refretted, a good job with wire just a bit taller than the original. The Kluson Deluxe tuners are original, but the buttons have been replaced -- the original have often deteriorated past usefulness by now.
All other hardware is original, including the lightweight stoptail, P-90 pickup, and wiring with the vaunted "bumblebee" capacitor. The only repair is to a small stress crack on the rim by the control cavity, solid, and inconspicuous. Even the original plastic jack plate is miraculously unbroken. A nice old Junior, played in enough to gig with but still sharp-looking and as great-sounding as they come. Excellent - Condition.
