Gibson Les Paul Junior

Infobox Guitar model|title=Gibson Les Paul Jr.


manufacturer=Gibson
period= 1954 — 1961 - 1963, 2001
bodytype=Solid
necktype=Set
scale=24.75"
woodbody=Mahogany
woodneck=Mahogany
woodfingerboard=Rosewood
bridge=Wraparound
pickups=1 Single-coil
colors=Sunburst, Ebony

The Gibson Les Paul Jr. was initially released in 1954 as an affordable, entry level Les Paul electric guitar. It retailed for $120.00 USD and was a very successful guitar for Gibson. It was first released in a single cut body style but double cuts were released later in 1958.

History

The goal for the Les Paul Jr. was to have a high quality guitar that was still affordable. For this to happen, the Jr. was stripped down to the basics; one pickup, one volume knob and tone knob. It was equipped with one P-90 dog ear pickup in the bridge. It was originally released in sunburst, but Gibson introduced the TV version, because of the Junior's unforeseen popularity among professional musicians, who would be featured playing the guitar on television, and therefore a color that would look good on black and white television was introduced. Today this is known as TV Yellow.

In the 1960s and 1970s the Les Paul Jr. became very popular because of its simplicity and distinguishable tone when played through a high gain amplifier. The single P-90 pickup gave the guitar a distinct crunch that was desired by rock and blues players of the time.

Variations

The Les Paul Junior was originally introduced in 1954 as a single cutaway model, with its double cutaway counter-part arriving to the market in early 1958. [citenews|url=http://www.zuitar.com/guitar/100403-Les_Paul_Junior.html|title=Les Paul Junior Single Cutaway|publisher=Zuitar.com|accessdate=2008-08-16] Color schemes most commonly placed on Juniors were vintage sunburst, cherry red, and of course the famed "TV yellow". In 1961, the body style of the Junior was shifted, and after conflict between Gibson and Les Paul, these models were later renamed the SG Junior.

The Les Paul Junior is still offered today in several different variations. Gibson offers U.S.A. made Les Paul Juniors which has been given modern touches including a more slim-tapered neck. These particular Juniors have been seen in several different incarnations since the mid-80's in both single and double cut. The Gibson Custom shop has also offered a period correct Junior over the years through both its Historic and VOS branches. These models feature the more notorious large neck or "baseball bat" neck as it is often referred to among players.

Several artists have had Juniors produced in the Gibson product line including John Lennon, Peter Frampton, and often included is the Bob Marley Les Paul Special. Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and Gibson have also recently released a signature Les Paul Junior. This series of Juniors is offered in three custom colors including Vintage Sunburst, Vintage White, and Ebony, which were based upon the actual '54-'57 Juniors Armstrong tours and records with. The Juniors feature some modern features per-request of Armstrong, which include a slim tappered neck, as well as a special designed "H-90" Pickup which is said to be noise cancelling but actually is not. It simply has a little more output. [Interview with Billie Joe Armstrong; re Signature Les Paul Junior; [http://www.gibson.com/bja/interview.htm] . 2006.]

The Les Paul Special has a similar body shape, but is equipped with 2 P90 pickups and Gibson's standard 4-knob, 3-way switch electronics.

Epiphone Les Paul Junior

Epiphone, a major guitar company purchased by Gibson in 1957, offers cost effective introductory Juniors which feature a bolt-on neck configuration as well as being outfitted with a single humbucking pickup rather than the traditional P-90. Epiphone has released limited edition models including the Collegiate Edition and the Epiphone Limited Edition '57 Les Paul Jr. Reissue with P-100, which features a set neck, all-solid mahogany construction, and a P-100 humbucker.

ee also

*List of Gibson players

References

External links

* [http://www.gibson.com/products/gibson/LesPaul/lpj.html Les Paul Junior at Gibson.com]
* [http://www.gibson.com/Products/GibsonElectric/Gibson%20Electric%20Guitars/LesPaul/Billie%20Joe%20Armstrong%20Les%20Paul/ Billie Joe Armstrong Signature Les Paul Junior]