franky03 Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Hi all... first post here on THE Gibson forum! Nice place btw Soooooooo... I got this junior about 16 years ago (wow time flies!) in part of a trade. It was heavily beat up by the previous owner (especially the chip on the headstock) but I did use for a while because I do love the sound Then I moved on to playing bass... I did use it a couple times a year for recordings but the last time was about 5 years ago. I've decided that it needs a little love now (the output jack connection is getting capricious) and so I'll begin a good cleanup, new set of strings, adjustments of the harmonics etc. As you can see, it is not original. Nowhere on the headstock is it written "junior"... how come? Also was these kind of mods (adding another pickup, switch etc) frequent? Serial number appears to be: 313373 if that means anything to anyone (between '54 and '57?) Another question to the super users of this forum is: what should I do with it? I might keep it but I might sell it... In your humble opinion how much is it worth? Thank you so much for your time! Franky03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Hello Franky, welcome to the board! The serial number is a bit puzzling. The Gibson logo on the headstock would say she was made between 1969 and 1984... I'm sure some more experienced guys may chime in here. In my opinion she's a keeper. I'm pretty sure about it because I'm playing bass guitar, too. Rock on, mate! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 . Cap, I think 6 digits went out in 1976 or 1977 - if that read on the serial is correct. Is there a volute? . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 ...Cap, I think 6 digits went out in 1976 or 1977... The six-digit serial number system was discontinued in 1975. The "Made In USA" stamp dates it to 1970+. The 3XXXXX serial numbers were used, post 1970, in 1974 and into early 1975. By the way, I think what you have there is a "Special" not a "Junior" As for value, if the guitar has been modified and/or had any major repair, check e-bay "sold" listings for actual sales prices... then divide by 2! The guitar having two P-90 pickups would have been stock and normal. The bridge P-90 has been changed out for a humbucker. The tuning machines have also been changed, and the bridge replaced. Keep an eye on this auction, and as an "unmodified" version, yours is worth about half of what this one sells for. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1974-Gibson-55-Reissue-Les-Paul-Special-w-OHSC-/111874113060?hash=item1a0c377e24:g:PJAAAOSwKtlWlsTI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Too modified, to have any real "collector's" value, unless some wealthy buyer, or "collector," took a particular shine, to it. I say, Keep It, and USE it! Especially, if you already love the sound! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Hi and welcome to the forum. My guess is that L5Larry has pretty much nailed it. There was a limited run (just under 2000 examples) of single-cut Specials (the "Special 55") produced in '74-'75 and that's almost certainly what you have there. The MOP 'Gibson' logo is a further sign - the originals had a gold silk-screened peghead logo. BTW : Juniors (and TVs if cream-coloured) are single-p'up; Specials are twin-p'up. As far as value? It's not an original '50s example and, as CB says, it's too much modified and damaged to be of interest to a collector and it's street value as a 'player' is unlikely to be high. I'm sure it plays fine and sounds great. Keep it as it is and enjoy it. Pip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franky03 Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 Wow you guys rock B) So its a special huh... makes me feel that way too then! Thank you for all the info... The jury is still out there as far as what to do with it... you know, so many instruments... so little time... Peace out and keep playin :-" Franky03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Yeah as all the others have said.. That's a real players guitar, not for a collector.. so keep it, play it ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 And, there's just some kind of "funky Mojo" with a "player's guitar," like that, which has a very cool "vibe" to it! While I can't tell you what YOU should do, really...if I owned it, I'd USE it, for all it's worth and tone! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Pretty cool player though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanHenry Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Welcome to the forum. Keep the guitar, you'll miss it if you sell it. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pesh Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 That's quite a piece; do not sell - that would be instant regret. Welcome to the boards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon S. Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 This indeed looks to be a Les Paul "55" model, made between 1974-1975. I've played a handful of them, and loved them all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 . Cap, I think 6 digits went out in 1976 or 1977 - if that read on the serial is correct. ... . That's why I limited my statement to the inlay's style only. Some years ago I've had enough hassle dating my six-digit L6-S. The serial number was of little help then as it could apply to at least three years of build The "3" as first digit of the guitar in question here definitely stumped me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBRUCE Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Hey franky03.....Welcome ! IMO It's like Pip, Rabs, and the others have stated: For the sum your likely to get, it's not going to make you happy. You would probably be kicking yourself in the pants later, if you let it go.So keep it for the ambiance, the tone, the 16 yrs you've had it... So my 2 cents would be: Finish wearing it out man ! Oh yeah......my vote: AS IS ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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