les paul juniors

[Al Russo]

can someone give me a bit of an education on the les paul juniors. I"m interested in one w/a 50's neck...i've seen those w/60's necks at lower price points than those w/50's necks....i'm speaking about regular production runs....tell me about the different finishes available..ex:satin, gloss, if available, etc...thanx in advance.

 

[stock_hippie]

can someone give me a bit of an education on the les paul juniors. I"m interested in one w/a 50's neck...i've seen those w/60's necks at lower price points than those w/50's necks....i'm speaking about regular production runs....tell me about the different finishes available..ex:satin, gloss, if available, etc...thanx in advance.

juniors are cool..but I've nevea played one..

 

[Al Russo]

i have fond memories of looking at pics of leslie west wailing away on one....the tone he got from his juniors was incredible.....i now have the "Jones" for a Junior, but i'm a bit confused over the different models

 

[58junior]

In the modern production, only the custom shops have the fatter rounded necksbumble bee capacitors, and one piece bodies. You can usually find a good used custom shop on ebay for about $1800. I have had no problems with intonating the bridge on the couple I have owned. In standard production, they have made many different runs over the years in gloss, satin, rough finish, etc. so that is a matter of personal preference. They are all very similar. Weights can vary by as much as a pound or more, so look for one in the lighter range of 7-7.5 lbs.

I prefer the double cuts, for looks and access. The tone on all of them depends on the slab, but all are pretty comparable since you are only talking about 1 single coil, which are usually as hot or hotter than a humbucker. You will get some noise and buzz, but that is part of the magic.

 

[Al Russo]

In the modern production, only the custom shops have the fatter rounded necksbumble bee capacitors, and one piece bodies. You can usually find a good used custom shop on ebay for about $1800. I have had no problems with intonating the bridge on the couple I have owned. In standard production, they have made many different runs over the years in gloss, satin, rough finish, etc. so that is a matter of personal preference. They are all very similar. Weights can vary by as much as a pound or more, so look for one in the lighter range of 7-7.5 lbs.

I prefer the double cuts, for looks and access. The tone on all of them depends on the slab, but all are pretty comparable since you are only talking about 1 single coil, which are usually as hot or hotter than a humbucker. You will get some noise and buzz, but that is part of the magic.

thanx..i guesss i'll look at ebay....i like the 50's necks..i don't like the narrow 60s necks.....

 

[Holgar]

My Les Paul Junior "satin" is my best sounding guitar.
I don´t like the cheap finish and the brown colour. The edges of the neck are sharp, but the profile is nice and rounded. I play it more than my R9, R4 and the SGs. Sold my Historic Junior.

 

[8ohms]

Had an 04 historic single cut in tv white. Was super resonant unplugged, great sounding and playing guitar. Unfortunately, I had problems with intonation that I couldn't get past, drove me insane. I tried several different tailpieces too, some helped a bit. Ultimately, I sold it as it didn't get much play time. Think I got $1400. It was like new. They are great guitars, but that wrap around tailpiece can sometimes be a pain. I see Danelectro, a forum member here, has recently come up with a nice fix.

 

[Pip]

I've owned a couple, I have a dc single pup cs in TV yellow. Nicknamed the bat. The most resonant les Paul I own, spits and growls as you'd hope - fab guitar.

 

[Al Russo]

Had an 04 historic single cut in tv white. Was super resonant unplugged, great sounding and playing guitar. Unfortunately, I had problems with intonation that I couldn't get past, drove me insane. I tried several different tailpieces too, some helped a bit. Ultimately, I sold it as it didn't get much play time. Think I got $1400. It was like new. They are great guitars, but that wrap around tailpiece can sometimes be a pain. I see Danelectro, a forum member here, has recently come up with a nice fix.

i was under the impression that w/aftermarket bridges, u can get the intonation spot on...

 

[8ohms]

Yes, you are correct, however, I didn't want something on there that didn't look original, otherwise I may have had more options.

 

[major]

Billy Armstrong "signature" Juniors are half the price of CS models, but have similar features - correct shape bodies (which the "cheap" ones don't have) , slanted wraparounds and Rosewood FBs (changed to Grenadillo on the latest ones - but still lots of old stock around).

Just doing a "custom" based on one of these with some cool "vintage" extras - pics in around two weeks!:applaude

 

[DrumBob]

I have owned vintage Juniors-several '56's and '57's-and the Billie Joe Junior is a very close replica. Juniors are my favorite guitars by far. Otherwise, you're getting into Custom Shop territory and high prices. I got my Billie Joe for about $1050 with shipping included, and it's perhaps the best sounding and best playing Junior I've ever had.

On the other hand, I really don't like the new lower priced production Juniors much. I bought one of those new Pelham Blue ones, and it wouldn't stay in tune, the body shape wasn't accurate, and it just felt stiff. I sold it fast.

Like you, I was knocked out with Leslie West's tone. I used to see Mountain at the Fillmore East, and I'll never forget that Junior; the way it looked, but mostly the way it sounded, and it looked like a toy guitar in Leslie's hands. Of course, his size was the reason for that!

Determine your budget and go for the Billie Joe if you can.

 

[Al Russo]

I have owned vintage Juniors-several '56's and '57's-and the Billie Joe Junior is a very close replica. Juniors are my favorite guitars by far. Otherwise, you're getting into Custom Shop territory and high prices. I got my Billie Joe for about $1050 with shipping included, and it's perhaps the best sounding and best playing Junior I've ever had.

On the other hand, I really don't like the new lower priced production Juniors much. I bought one of those new Pelham Blue ones, and it wouldn't stay in tune, the body shape wasn't accurate, and it just felt stiff. I sold it fast.

Like you, I was knocked out with Leslie West's tone. I used to see Mountain at the Fillmore East, and I'll never forget that Junior; the way it looked, but mostly the way it sounded, and it looked like a toy guitar in Leslie's hands. Of course, his size was the reason for that!

Determine your budget and go for the Billie Joe if you can.

i have issues w/billy joe..lol....don't know if i can buy an axe w/ his namesake....if it had pete townshend's name or leslie's i'd buy it in a heart beat...lol....

 

[DMB70]

I picked up a Billie Joe Jr last month for just under $850 shipped, very nice guitar.

 

[Cliff Gress]

I'd go historic junior Al.

 

[Al Russo]

I'd go historic junior Al.

me thinks that da way also...maybe used...thanx

 

[DrumBob]

i have issues w/billy joe..lol....don't know if i can buy an axe w/ his namesake....if it had pete townshend's name or leslie's i'd buy it in a heart beat...lol....

I understand. Not a Green Day fan either. You can always sand his signature off the back of the headstock! Seriously, it's a great Junior. Don't let the name stop you.

 

[major]

I understand. Not a Green Day fan either. You can always sand his signature off the back of the headstock! Seriously, it's a great Junior. Don't let the name stop you.

I got my "Billy Joe" purely because it was half the price of a CS. I may well remove his sig!

So far, I've changed out the plastics - gone for a Cream theme and vintage TRC - installed 50's wiring from Jonesy - popped on some gold reflectors and Keystone Grover tuners - and sorted the intonation with Danelectro's cool compensated Wraptail.

Here it is:

 

[spidey]

I got my "Billy Joe" purely because it was half the price of a CS. I may well remove his sig!

So far, I've changed out the plastics - gone for a Cream theme and vintage TRC - installed 50's wiring from Jonesy - popped on some gold reflectors and Keystone Grover tuners - and sorted the intonation with Danelectro's cool compensated Wraptail.

Here it is:

Looks great! Love the case lining too!

 

[major]

Looks great! Love the case lining too!

Hey Spidey. I got it just up the road from you - from a guy in Leicestershire (for you Americans, that's pronounced Lester-shire, which is quite appropriate really!! )