Gibson Les Paul Junior Faded

Mine is a White Satin finish from 2009. It has an ebony touch, unlike more recent models…


USE

It’s mostly a guitar for crunch sounds, as it only has a single pickup – now the way to get clean sounds out of it is to lower the tone control… Which doesn’t replace a proper neck pickup but it can do the trick…

Still, as it’s not polished, beware as any hit will leave a mark… Still, the absence of a a polished finish makes its touch more agreeable.
The original settings are just plain sh*t, I had to straighten the truss rod and to change the string height.


SOUND

The P90 is a vintage-style pickup, so no bad surprise for me. Heavy, dirty, crunchy sounds on the way… A punk-rock register ala Green Day, Joan Jett, The Clash and so on, or bluesy to vintage rock ala Rolling Stones come along with no problem… Still, it lacks precision and leads won’t necessarily stand out as expected. Plus, depending on the crunch level you can get hiss – a P90 remains a single coil pickup, go soft on it. I also use in for slide, it’s really nice as the P90 provides a nice, plain, warm sound: a pleasant surprise.

OVERALL

It’s a guitar you see everywhere thinking it’s small gear: originally the Junior was for beginners, an entry level guitar.
Once plugged in, it can play in the big league with its unique sound provided by a P90 and charm of its own – now you can like it or not. The price remains unbeatable.

I insist on the made in USA and the handle stuck. Otherwise everything has been said.

Micro only what is, I would say its main weakness. It's still a very good mic.
No varnish. One likes or dislikes. It may annoy some people at the handle, but you get used quickly and it is better than varnish rotten. Plus I think it gives a good feeling.

UTILIZATION

The handle is very comfortable. Access to acute is correct, but it's still a Les Paul so you do not buy it for access to acute.

It's still a small log. It weighs his weight is not wood crate. A good shovel resistant to shocks at that.

SOUNDS

We will not hide it, those looking for something polyvalant, go your way. You play blues, rock, hard rock, but nothing with this shovel.

Its unique micro has nothing to envy to the bridge pickups Gibson 1000/1500e. It has character and the sound that comes out is very nice, clean condition forget.

This is where things spoil it ... The clean is really great and the guitar really suffers from a lack of neck pickup position. This is not a problem with the microphone in my opinion, it's just that I hate the clean sound in the bridge position whatever the guitar.

I put 6 because I find super clean not exploitable.

OVERALL OPINION

I have 4/5 years and I play almost exclusively above. The arrival of a Stratocaster will be to change my habit. This is my first guitar made in USA and after several test between 600th and 800th Gibson I am left with that one. Thing I do not regret despite the single microphone. This is for me one who had more authenticity and personality.
If you want a Gibson cheaply waiting to invest in a really high-end model (1500/2000e) is an interesting choice. However, I advise you to be patient, save and buy directly a higher end model. It will make you money.

I count not sell, but I will still shifts into high gear and I invest in a more expensive Gib.

Positives:

Was not afraid of going out. At this price and given the strength of the beast, do not be afraid to go out anywhere.
Mechanical take really good agreement for mechanical old
Made in USA it looks to be good wood and aging well. The keys are of good quality and the action string is down which is really nice.
Shocks are less obvious due to the absence of varnish.

Negatives:

For the made in USA, finishing leaves much to be desired. I saw with sacred defects.
No varnish (even seriously to 200th Epiphones have a nice varnish (admittedly poor quality and sometimes dripping)).
A single microphone. The weak point.
Shock quickly mark the guitar. The slightest shock will leave a trace of his passage.

Good sound overdrive / distortion, very nice nonetheless handle. For small negative points we must say it was worth the money and we can not have everything at this price point. While varnish technology level and that fishing a little but it is far outweighed by the quality of materials used and the quality of the handle.
There is also a special character that I have not found in other brands in this price range.

Ultimately, despite a serious handicap (no micro second) it's still a good price / quality ratio. It will nevertheless consider the next level one day.

Given the context in which I bought it, I would do this choice. This is a good choice to enjoy the features of a Les Paul Gibson cheaply. Especially if you are new to the guitar and you're doing mostly blues / rock / hard rock. And it's probably a skyscraper that you will keep if you're a little sentimental. Yeah, your first Gibson you're not going to sell anyway.

For those with an advanced level who seek scratching their life he'll have to save a little more ... But if you need a reliable and sturdy shovel to play in bars / pubs etc ... And you not want to leave a scratch 2k for fear of damage. It may do the trick.

A Gibson all mahogany, varnish nitro (fragile), which is in the simplicity: 1 P90, 1 volume, 1 tone, rosewood fingerboard 22 frets rather wide neck, bridge wraparound compensated. This is not a exaste Junior replica of 1958, but in the spirit, it is not too far: Nothing complicated, and this is exactly what we asked.

UTILIZATION

The handle is quite nice, nitro lacquer does not stick and broad key rather promotes the game thumb on the back of the handle. Ergonomics is correct even if it is a guitar with very basic shapes.

SOUNDS

Sound side, the P90 is dynamic but perhaps a caricature hair, a little "harsch". The weak point of this small Gibson in my opinion (which is this-say a very good basis for an upgrade).
The volume and tone are quite progressive and can vary a little sounds.
No problem to deal blues, vintage rock or rock unkempt garage type sounds. It will by force things a little less comfortable on large metal distos or upstream of a large rack effect asking a very clean source.

OVERALL OPINION

A "real" Gibson, of rock'n'roll, made in the USA, comes with a well padded gigbag, not too expensive (between 450 and 600 € in stores, discounts and the dollar ...): The contract is filled. Left to invest later in a really high-end P90.

Guitar made in the United States, set neck, a micro Gibson P90 at the bridge, one volume knob and one tone.

UTILIZATION

Guitar unglazed so peculiar sensation on the neck.
The instrument is lightweight and the grip is very nice (a Les Paul, but thinner and lighter).

SOUNDS

Its very rhythm-oriented, not necessarily own solo.
Rather special, with a perfect vintage distortion effect, or fuzz.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had less than a month but I have everything under control and I'm not disappointed with the purchase!
The painting is varnished so it wears out quickly, the advantage is the worn look that is quite pretty, as the series of Fender Road Worn but less pronounced.

I advise music lovers Punk / Grunge or Hard Rock.