Current Production Model of Les Paul Jrs - What do you think?

Natch · March 5th, 2010, 09:56 AM

I played one in the store and the sounds was great. The tuning pegs looked a bit flimsy and the dude said it was to make the look "vintage".....not sure about that one.

Any thoughts on the new versions? Are there specific years I should be looking at. This one sounded really nice and I'm thinking about pulling the trigger.

It's a bummer that it doesn't have a case!

eljayski · March 5th, 2010, 11:50 AM

i bought one last fall and love it:

Natch · March 5th, 2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eljayski

i bought one last fall and love it:

Put cash down on the same finish today. I truly love the Les jr and regret that I didn't try one a long time ago. How did I miss it?

I read an interview where McCartney said if he could only choose from 1 pickup to use for the rest of his life and he said the p90. With my sg being too dark in neck position I went to try the jr and fell in love with the sound and the feel.

discofishing · March 6th, 2010, 02:15 PM

Nice axe! They are a great bang for the buck. If you guys look at the specs of the 1957 Les Paul Jr. VOS you really come out on top with this guitar as compared to the one made in the Custom Shop. You get the better neck joint (just look at the one on the CS model) and a adjustable/compensated bridge piece which sounds better. The electronics are almost identical. You will have improved tone and better playability but save about $2500.

Natch · March 7th, 2010, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by discofishing

Nice axe! They are a great bang for the buck. If you guys look at the specs of the 1957 Les Paul Jr. VOS you really come out on top with this guitar as compared to the one made in the Custom Shop. You get the better neck joint (just look at the one on the CS model) and a adjustable/compensated bridge piece which sounds better. The electronics are almost identical. You will have improved tone and better playability but save about $2500.

Thanks for this information. I was wondering what the quality of the custom shop would be. Knowing what you said above I owuld guess not $2500 more worth.

The standard was truly a blast at the shop! I cannot wait to get it home on Friday!!!!!

Anybody have other Les Paul Jr info. or thoughts they would like to share?

discofishing · March 7th, 2010, 09:14 PM

You are welcome. The difference between many baseline Gibson models and their supposedly higher end custom shop models is very small in many cases. Sadly the price is what the major difference is. In reality they have a players line (Studios, Standards, Specials) and a collectors line (Customs, Signatures, VOS/Reissues) and they are the EXACT same quality. Don't ever let some "guitar snob" or Gibson Rep. tell you otherwise.

Natch · March 8th, 2010, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by discofishing

You are welcome. The difference between many baseline Gibson models and their supposedly higher end custom shop models is very small in many cases. Sadly the price is what the major difference is. In reality they have a players line (Studios, Standards, Specials) and a collectors line (Customs, Signatures, VOS/Reissues) and they are the EXACT same quality. Don't ever let some "guitar snob" or Gibson Rep. tell you otherwise.

Have you tried any Jrs from the 50's?

discofishing · March 8th, 2010, 05:52 PM

No I sure haven't. I am guessing that the 1957 LP Jr. VOS is probably a reproduction of ones made during that time period. I really don't care to play something that has such a horrible looking neck joint, I know it wouldn't feel good at all. The modern LP Jr's are an improvement from the originals.

Boris Bubbanov · March 9th, 2010, 12:38 AM

Natch, I'm more worried about the guts of the tuners. Looking at one off a guitar, the body seems to be electroplated plastic. Check one of yours with a magnet and see what you find.

A Gotoh split shaft works great but the stock tuner washers leave marring on the headstock face; and the Gotoh posts could be a little higher. There are bound to be some Grovers that would work great and look right.

Natch · March 9th, 2010, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boris Bubbanov

Natch, I'm more worried about the guts of the tuners. Looking at one off a guitar, the body seems to be electroplated plastic. Check one of yours with a magnet and see what you find.

A Gotoh split shaft works great but the stock tuner washers leave marring on the headstock face; and the Gotoh posts could be a little higher. There are bound to be some Grovers that would work great and look right.

So you're thinking a replacement may be in order once I'm ready for it? I'll let you know about the magnet test once I get her home. It really is a sweet playing guitar! The sound is really great and so is the feel.