In 1952, Gibson’s Les Paul model guitar was brand spanking new. But it wasn’t cutting-edge. True, it was the company’s first solidbody electric guitar, and thus earned a bit of notoriety. But just being Gibson’s first solidbody didn’t win it any real accolades. After all, Leo Fender’s Broadcaster and Telecaster models accomplished the same duties almost two years before the Les Paul came along.
One thing it did exude that Leo’s guitar didn’t was an upscale sensibility, with its set neck, subtle top contour (implying “violin”), and dressed-to-the-nines gold finish with white trim. And it was priced accordingly. At $210, it set you back 10 percent more than did the Telecaster, despite having what some would argue was an inferior tailpiece.
It didn’t take Gibson long to figure out that a cheaper alternative would be a good thing. So in 1954, it introduced the Les Paul Junior. Designed to offer good playability and sound at considerably lower price ($99.50 versus the ’54 goldtop’s $225 price tag), the Junior was aimed at beginners and/or the budget-conscious, with its single P-90 pickup, “slab” (devoid of carve) mahogany body, unbound body/neck/headstock, and dot-inlaid fingerboard.
Response to the guitar was very strong, and by its second year of production it was Gibson’s most popular instrument; 2,839 were built in 1955, and throughout the four-and-a-half-year run of the Junior as a single-cut guitar (and even into its double-cut era), it never relinquished claim to that title.
Fast forward to the 1990s; fueled by classic rock guitarists noted for their tone, guitar collectors begin to clamor for the Junior, citing its playability and simple volume/tone operation – and the growl of its dog-ear P-90. Ladies and gents, here, in detail, is Gibson’s 1955-mid-’58 Les Paul Junior!
As Played By
- Leslie West in Mountain.
- Steve Howe on Topographic Oceans (Yes) and “Heat Of The Moment” by Asia.
- Martin Barre (Jethro Tull) on Aqualung.
- Mick Ralphs in Mott the Hoople.
- Brad Whitford (Aerosmith) on Pump.
- Keith Richards (Rolling Stones) on the Stripped tour.
Further Facts
- Units built: 1954 – 823; ’55 – 2839; ’56 – 3129; ’57 – 2959; ’58 – 2,480.
- A 3/4-scale version of the Junior, with a 223/4″ scale, was available beginning in 1956.
- Jackplate was three-ply (B/W/B) plastic.
- 1954-’55 Juniors had Grey Tiger brand waxed-paper capacitors. Mid-’55 to ’58 models had “bumblebee” caps.
Details
- Single-ply black plastic pickguard.
- Except for a few very early-’54 maple examples, the Junior’s body was solid mahogany. All measure 123/4″ wide at lower bout, with single-cutaway shape and no binding. CHECK! Small cracks can form in the Junior’s body between the treble-side bridge stud and the pickup rout on ’54-’56 models. These can be hidden in the lacquer checking.
- One-piece mahogany neck joins body at the 16th fret.
- Black-covered P-90 pickup in bridge position. Tabs that secure the pickup to the body are known as “dog ears.”
- Lightweight wraparound bridge/tailpiece made of nickel-plated pot metal (with no compensating ridges).
- 1954-’55 models had larger “speed” or “hatbox” knobs. From the middle of 1955 through ’58, they had “bonnet” knobs.
- 1954 Juniors had real pearl dot inlays, while ’55-’58 models had plastic dots.
- 22-fret unbound rosewood fretboard with 24 3/4″ scale length.
- The Junior’s “budget” factor was evident in many elements, including its simple Kluson “strip” tuners with brass shafts and oval plastic buttons. CHECK! Impressions left by washers on the back of the headstock can indicate replacement tuners. Also watch for enlarged tuner shaft holes.
- Unbound 17°-angle headstock with black front and “Gibson” and “Les Paul Junior” silkscreens.
Special thanks to Gregg Levy and Phil Jones.
