Gibson Les Paul Junior

Written by vintage on September 23, 2009 – 7:46 pm -

The Les Paul Junior is a cheaper version of Gibson’s iconic Les Paul. It was introduced in 1954 at a budget price of less than $50. Like other Les Paul models the Junior is made of mahogany and has a mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard. These are the only materials used for the construction of the guitars, unlike the other Les Paul models, also available in maple.

It was designed as an entry-level model for younger players who couldn’t afford a Les Paul but still wanted a high quality Gibson model. The original versions had single cutaway bodies, but there was a double cutaway version available from 1958. The body is the same shape as the Les Paul, but with different finishes, including TV Yellow and cherry red. The Gibson finish TV Yellow was introduced on this guitar. The idea of this finish was that it would look good on television, which was only black and white at the time.

The only models available are the single and double cutaway models. The only pickup configuration available is one P-90 single coil with a “dog-ear” shape.

As the entry level model of the Les Paul range it had only two knobs- one tone and one volume control- as opposed to the two tone and volume controls of Les Paul Standards, Customs and Specials. It also had a different scratchplate to the other Les Paul models- while other Les Pauls had floating scratchplates, the Junior had a more cost-effective fixed one. The design of the scratchplate varies from model to model.

A variation on the Les Paul Junior shape is the 1961-63 model, the SG/Les Paul Junior. This utilised the body of what would become the SG. However, it was disliked by Les Paul, the famous jazz guitarist known for designing the Les Paul guitar on which the Junior was based. Because Paul disliked the radical, pointed shape he refused to have his name on the guitar, so Gibson changed the name to the SG, although the shape remained in the Les Paul Junior range as the SG/Les Paul Junior.

The Junior is now also offered as an Epiphone model. Epiphone are a guitar company which Gibson purchased in 1957, who now make budget versions of classic Gibson designs.

A famous Les Paul Junior user is Billie Joe Armstrong of punk band Green Day. Gibson offer a signature series of Junior models dedicated to him. These models are based on the single cutaway version. Also, Juniors were used extensively by Leslie West of 70s hard rock band Mountain.

Although the Junior is overshadowed somewhat by the more famous Les Paul and SG models it has inspired many players who otherwise wouldn’t be able to own a Gibson, and original versions have become rare and prized collector’s pieces over their lifespan.

It is also worth mentioning that there was another budget Gibson model, which was introduced 5 years after the Junior. Called the Melody Maker, it was even more inexpensive than the Junior. It had a simple, single cutaway slab body in a similar shape to the Les Paul.

It is still offered in the Gibson range in virtually the same format as the original version, but with a different pickup.