• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

!! why the jr !!

michaeljames

New member
Joined
Dec 19, 2007
Messages
302
So i get the special 2 pups ~ why th jr 1 pup? btw ~ i just bought one...
to add to the special...but i wanna know, why the jr?

jl :eek:h
 

58Lee

Member
Joined
May 6, 2002
Messages
248
Michael, I have always had that question as well. I have heard that the tone of the Jr. is different because of the different tenon and neck mounting (where the neck pupo is on the Special). For what it's worth, I have a '60 Special double cut in TV yellow and prefer it over the Jr. The middle position kills it for me. Reminds me if the Hunter/Wagner live solo on Sweet Jane.
Lee
 

les strat

New member
Joined
Aug 22, 2004
Messages
5,194
Special P90 is not dog-earred to the body like on a Junior. Supposedly gives it a different sound being directly on the body.
 

LCP

New member
Joined
Jan 14, 2011
Messages
324
I would go special... more of the versatility thing...
 

KOTR

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 6, 2005
Messages
1,031
I think the dog ear style mounting of the P90 on the Jr. also changes its positioning relative to the strings (compared to the special) which affects tone.
 

PaisleyTube

Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2006
Messages
134
imo/to my ears/to my fingers/etc.

a pu mounted directly on the body does "transfer" the sound in a different way, feedback differs also (easier/nicer imo).

and

a SC JR is just ubercool on 11 :)
 

MikeSlub

Administrator
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
15,166
With a one pickup Junior, you create your sound by dynamic adjustments in volume and tone controls in an interactive fashion. It is unique, and it worked for Leslie West! :dude:
 

cryptozoo

New member
Joined
Jun 25, 2008
Messages
2,738
If I had to pick one, I'd probably go for the Special.

Luckily, I don't have to pick one.
 

MikeSlub

Administrator
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
15,166
If I had to pick one, I'd probably go for the Special.

Luckily, I don't have to pick one.

I am a two pickup kinda guy myself, but can appreciate the Junior for what it is (and what it is not). :2cool :jim
 

hank

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Jul 16, 2001
Messages
1,828
So i get the special 2 pups ~ why th jr 1 pup? btw ~ i just bought one...
to add to the special...but i wanna know, why the jr?

jl :eek:h

I found myself to be a 'special' guy after owning a couple of old juniors. I just love the tone of a neck pickup.

I happen to know that Special of yours is very ......... special. :3zone
 
L

loufed52

Guest
Those Gibsons with their plastic pickup rings all have lousy tone and sustain. :wank

As usual, there is zero proof and no credible scientific evidence to back up this purely subjective theory.
There are far more important factors that affect tone and sustain.
If a guitar is a dog, the pickup attachment method won't make a bit of difference.
 

CR9

New member
Joined
Apr 15, 2005
Messages
1,608
So i get the special 2 pups ~ why th jr 1 pup? btw ~ i just bought one...
to add to the special...but i wanna know, why the jr?

jl :eek:h
The one pickup Junior was originally made as a low priced student model and the second pickup was not installed to save money. As mentioned, Leslie West made a huge sound with his in the early days of Mountain.
 

les strat

New member
Joined
Aug 22, 2004
Messages
5,194
With a one pickup Junior, you create your sound by dynamic adjustments in volume and tone controls in an interactive fashion. It is unique, and it worked for Leslie West! :dude:

And Dick Wagner... used a Junior with a plexi to get those sweet tones on Aerosmith's "Train Kept A Rollin" and many other band's albums.
 

vintage58

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
3,958
why the jr?
Wrong question.... should really be, "Why the TV Model?"

lpf04.jpg
 

Gold Tone

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 2, 2002
Messages
6,825
With a one pickup Junior, you create your sound by dynamic adjustments in volume and tone controls in an interactive fashion. It is unique, and it worked for Leslie West! :dude:

Yes!!

I was quite amazed at this on the Junior. I was able to gig with one for years and simply use the tone and volume controls for quite a huge variety of tones. The volume control seemed to really go from clean to dirty better than any guitar I've owned and the tone control gave a full range of tone shaping but, unlike most guitars I have owned, kept clarity all throughout nicely.

Big :3zone for Juniors (original ones...I haven't played reissues so I can't comment)

The simplicity of the single cut with one pikcup and two controls sure forces you to use your fingers A LOT to change the tone and feel. Juniors just look too cool and really have that raw rock and roll feel.
 

straightblues

Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2004
Messages
954
I like the simplicity of the Junior. It allows my to be free and not worry about changing between pickups. I find my self focusing on playing and being able to coax all of the tones out of the guitar with my fingers, attack and where and how hard I pick. I also like the looks better. Here is a picture of my Rist Workhorse.

stevefinch040.jpg
 
Top