Paulus Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 I have just bought a Les Paul Junior having read a review in guitar & bass magazine. I have to say I was not disappointed, it came already set up and was in tune! Plugged into a hughes & Kettner switchblade, it sounds damn good. I already own a LP deluxe which I've had for 40 yrs, so this was little brother of my guitar family. Price paid £559. A complete bargain. Saving a £1000 on guitar that is missing the trimmings is a brilliant concept for anyone one wants an authentic USA built les Paul. I bought the rubbed cherry satin finish. It's a couple of pounds lighter than my deluxe but that is mahogany throughout. This is where the difference is. The junior has a maple neck with rosewood fretboard and this gives the sound a richer tone , the pickups spot on and I've played along with some Gary Moore and bonamassa tracks and you can't tell the difference between the junior and the legends guitars. In some respects the junior is a bit more versatile, so for rock/blues and funky soul stuff this guitar is superb. I don't use any effects pedals as the amp has it all. You just need time to understand the relationship of the tone controls in different modes. The only down side however was the fret ends on some frets are a bit sharp. So buy a fret file £12 on eBay and just fettle the ends. An hour of patience will reward you with a fully smooth fretboard. Remember it's the same las Paul but without the fancy edging,nitro paint etc. Mine stays in tune perfectly, sings like a bird and if anyone takes any notice about the bad press should seriously think again! If you're a shredder this guitar is not for you, this has character and is for the cluttered musician, no offence intended. Hope this helps you guys/gals out there that might be in two minds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Hi, welcome and join the 'I love LP Juniors' club... In all fairness though, there is more than a few trimmings difference between a full-fat LP and a Junior Choice of woods, P/U's, ergonomics etc... For the UK enthusiast...how about checking out Gordon Smith Guitars... They specialise somewhat in hand made 'copies' of LP Juniors and others... V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 Hi, welcome and join the 'I love LP Juniors' club... In all fairness though, there is more than a few trimmings difference between a full-fat LP and a Junior Choice of woods, P/U's, ergonomics etc... For the UK enthusiast...how about checking out Gordon Smith Guitars... They specialise somewhat in hand made 'copies' of LP Juniors and others... V Thanks V, Always nice to share practical comments. You might be surprised if I told you I know Gordon Whittham who was the founder of Gordon smith guitars with Chris Smith. I played with Gordon back in the 70's and when Gordon left Chris, he set up Gordy guitars. Gordon made me a custom Gordy guitar shaped like a strat, 3 pickups, maple neck/finger board, finished black starburst. I think it's a one off and I'd have to ask Gordon if he ever made others of the same. He also did a great of fixing my les Paul deluxe when a plonker in a club we were playing at knocked over and the top of the neck snapped. Obviously being the great luthier he is it's as good as new. I've had this 40 yrs now and I've just changed the dimazio super distortion hum buckers to gibson burst buckers. I now have two brilliant les pauls. The junior and deluxe . I'm just experimenting with a fender deville and marshall jvm410c which I recently purchased. I currently play in a blues / rock band playing early Clapton, buddy guy, BB king, mayall, Gary Moore etc Like to play with less and more feel than 1000mph rush of notes. Rock on Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 That's a very cool story, Paul. When you can get aound to it we'd love to see snaps of the Gordy as well as the Lesters. We like pretty much everything here; not just Gibbies! P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Hi again Paul...a very interesting and informative post... I've looked for Gordy netward without success...is he still an active luthier? Some years ago I acquired an unusual 7 string jazz guitar made by Brian Eastwood, who claimed he had worked for Gordon Smith This year I purchased 'definitely' my last Gordon Smith...a quite delightful D/C LP Junior style semi hollow 2 P90 beauty I love their rock solid stable necks, durability and hand wound H/B's There is a charming U Tube post featuring John and Linda Smith talking about their love for their business... Long may they stick around making great guitars in small quantities for people who appreciate hand built quality... V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted October 2, 2013 Author Share Posted October 2, 2013 Hi again Paul...a very interesting and informative post... I've looked for Gordy netward without success...is he still an active luthier? Some years ago I acquired an unusual 7 string jazz guitar made by Brian Eastwood, who claimed he had worked for Gordon Smith This year I purchased 'definitely' my last Gordon Smith...a quite delightful D/C LP Junior style semi hollow 2 P90 beauty I love their rock solid stable necks, durability and hand wound H/B's There is a charming U Tube post featuring John and Linda Smith talking about their love for their business... Long may they stick around making great guitars in small quantities for people who appreciate hand built quality... V I was at Brian east woods house a couple of months ago, I asked him to sort out some electrics on my les Paul deluxe, I had a terrible buzzing which turned out to be a dickie guitar lead. But as he always does, he gave guitar a wee tweak a just checked the neck and action for me. Brian had seen Gordon a few weeks earlier and apparently Gordon is teaching. It's a few years since I've seen Gordon and I would dearly like to see him just to say hello again and share some of memories we have had over the decade. I was a frequent visitor at the coachouse in altrincham where Gordon's Gordy workshop was situated. I see Brian frequently and guitar collection is something else. I nearly bought a gibson 335 from him but might still go back for it, especially as Xmas is nearing.(hint for the wife) I'll get some pics of the Gordy posted. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted October 2, 2013 Author Share Posted October 2, 2013 That's a very cool story, Paul. When you can get aound to it we'd love to see snaps of the Gordy as well as the Lesters. We like pretty much everything here; not just Gibbies! P. I'll dig out the camera a get some posted keep watching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 I have a 2004 LP Junior fron MF that is "sweet as pie". Seriously.....it could be my main axe. Love it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
79cb750f Posted December 26, 2013 Share Posted December 26, 2013 I got TWO of them a 1956 and a 2012 It IS my main axe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted December 29, 2013 Author Share Posted December 29, 2013 I'll dig out the camera a get some posted keep watching. Hi Guys happy New Year and best wishes, here are two of my two favourites,The Gold Top I've had for 40 yrs the junior is new this year. The pickups have been changed from the original baby deluxe to a Dimarzio SD split coil and a Gibson Burstbucker in the bridge. Very tasty! enjoy the picks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E_danylycha Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 I got TWO of them a 1956 and a 2012 It IS my main axe. How does the 2012 compare to the '56 in terms of tone and playability? Even though they are nearly 60 years apart which one would you suggest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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