536:, a major guitar company purchased by Gibson in 1957, sells lower-cost Juniors which feature a bolt-on neck configuration as well as being outfitted with a single humbucking pickup rather than the traditional P-90. Epiphone has released limited edition models including the Collegiate Edition and the Epiphone Limited Edition '57 Les Paul Junior Reissue with P-100, which features a set neck, all-solid mahogany construction, and a P-100 humbucker. Epiphone Japan has also released Juniors (with the Gibson headstock) including the LPJ-70 and the Ltd edition Lacquer Series Jr (both in vintage sunburst and cherry). These Juniors were pretty much dead-on regarding the original 1954 Gibson specifications but they were manufactured for the Japanese market only and not for export.
469:
specially designed "H-90" pickup which is said to be hum-canceling and it is overwound to handle more distortion. Armstrong's second signature model is a double-cutaway in TV Yellow which also includes an "H-90" pickup. However, according to
Armstrong's guitar tech, he does not use the H-90 in his guitars. He uses a Seymour Duncan Antiquity P-90 pickup. The third signature is a single-cutaway released in 2018 in cherry, ebony, and sonic blue. The fourth, and as of 2023, most recent signature model is two structurally identical single-cutaway guitars; one in a "vintage ebony gloss" finish and the other in a "silver mist" finish, the second of which appearing in multiple music videos such as
426:
33:
386:
547:
manufactured the
Invader as part of a starter pack which was marketed mostly in mainland Europe. In essence, the Invader is an identical guitar to the Epiphone Junior, with a single generic humbucker and single volume and tone pots. Invaders were manufactured by the Samick organisation in Indonesia
251:
model, which was identical to the Junior except for the name and a fashionable contemporary "limed oak" style finish, later more accurately named "limed mahogany". This natural wood finish with white grain filler often aged into a natural wood or dull yellow appearance, and eventually evolved into
468:
and Gibson have released four signature Les Paul
Juniors, the first is in three custom colors including Vintage Sunburst, Classic White, and Ebony, and is based on the actual '54-'57 Juniors. It also has some modern features requested by Armstrong, which include a slim tapered neck, as well as a
395:
The Les Paul Junior was originally introduced in 1954 as a single-cutaway model, with its double-cutaway debuting in early 1958. The most common color schemes were vintage sunburst, cherry red, and TV yellow. In 2012, two rare black models with tortoiseshell pickguard, from 1959 and 1960, were
551:
Invaders are strictly budget-end instruments and do tend to suffer from the not-unusual weakness of occasionally having poor tuning stability, but these instruments can still be regarded as very useful and playable instruments. They are light, versatile, and comfortable.
413:
The Les Paul Junior is still offered today in several U.S.-made versions that have been given modern touches, including a slimmer tapered neck. These have been seen in several different incarnations since the mid-1980s in both single- and double-cutaway. (see
402:; the possibility was offered that black models were special-ordered for a specific store, or that the black finish was used to cover up blemishes in the wood. In 1961, the body style of the Junior was shifted, and after conflict between Gibson and
516:
declined an offer to have a signature model of the instrument produced because he did not want a signature guitar based on an already-existing instrument, even though the Les Paul Junior was his main instrument during his heyday in
Mountain.
780:
524:
announced the re-release of the Gibson Les Paul Junior into their 2015 USA range. They decided to release a newer version of the Gibson Les Paul Junior in 2018 with vintage specifications including a '50 neck profile.
788:
456:
Les Paul
Special. The Lennon model is unique for the single-coil, hexagon-shaped "Charlie Christian" pickup at the neck (which derived its name from the type installed on Christian's
224:. It was first released with a single-cutaway body style; models with a double-cutaway body style were introduced in 1958. The Junior continued through the first three years of the
1169:
418:) The Gibson Custom shop has also offered a period-correct Junior over the years through both its Historic and VOS branches. These models feature the more notorious large (or "
252:
the opaque mustard yellow, popularly called "TV yellow". The intention was not to avoid glare from old TV cameras, but to offer a modern look and a name to promote
695:
244:"dog-ear" pickup at the bridge, which was actually a stop tailpiece from the standard Les Paul. It was originally released in sunburst in mid-1954.
876:
555:
As with the Junior, the
Invader is the Epiphone version of the Gibson Junior and can also be seen as having links with the Gibson Melody Maker.
484:
has a generally similar body shape, but has a contoured top, , two P-90 pickups, and Gibson's standard four-knob, three-way switch electronics.
265:
In the 1960s and 1970s the Les Paul Junior became very popular because of its simplicity and unique tone when played through an overdriven
1236:
1103:
248:
240:
down to the basics: no binding, no carved top, one pickup, and just one volume and tone knob. The Junior was equipped with one
563:
List of "Junior" models (original and reissue). For "Junior
Special" models, Epiphone models, and Robot Guitar models, see
970:
1404:
1151:
1132:
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to overcome tuning problems he had with the guitar, where it was his key instrument on sides two, three, and four.
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996:
363:
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1990–1992: Les Paul Junior Hall of Fame Series (Double
Cutaway Reissue, with P-100 humbuckers)
630:
2018: Les Paul Junior 2018 Billie Joe
Armstrong Signature (Humbucker loaded)
1266:
1021:
919:
398:
259:
46:
236:
The Les Paul Junior was designed as a high-quality, affordable guitar. Gibson stripped the standard
1222:
434:
329:
460:), a modification Lennon accepted when he had the guitar serviced upon acquiring it in the 1970s.
1286:
564:
521:
481:
254:
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1261:
914:
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and Gibson created a unique model of this guitar, The Gibson Les Paul Junior
Lighter. It has a
445:
1191:
659:
225:
62:
1368:
891:
465:
370:
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674: Les Paul Junior (Double Cutaway Reissue)
354:
album with a 1957 Les Paul Junior, including the extended guitar solo of the title track.
8:
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359:
345:
310:
633:
2020: Les Paul Junior 2020 Lukas Nelson ‘56 Limited Edition
1147:
1128:
1109:
1088:
870:
857:
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but have now been discontinued in light of the success and production of the Junior.
502:, but the lamps gave off too much heat and were reduced. They installed 20 cells for
326:
314:
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636:
2024: Les Paul Junior 2024 Charlie Starr Limited Edition
407:
350:
290:
266:
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1312:
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237:
221:
220:
is a solid-body electric guitar introduced in 1954 as an affordable, entry-level
736: (1982–1986) – a guitar model similar to
440:
Several artists have had Juniors produced in the Gibson product line, including
32:
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580:
499:
449:
425:
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pickup and simple bridge give the guitar a distinct sound that was desired by
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and being used in live performances throughout the 2010s and early 2020s.
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915:"Beauties in Black: The Emergence of Two Rare Gibson Les Paul Juniors"
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727:
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947:"Interview with Billie Joe Armstrong; re Signature Les Paul Junior"
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403:
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149:
139:
129:
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852:
Steve Howe, with Tony Bacon, photography by Miki Slingsby (1993),
470:
1125:
The Gibson Electric Guitar Book Seventy Years of Classic Guitars
602:
1986–1992: Les Paul Junior (Single Cutaway Reissue)
971:"Gibson Unveils New Billie Joe Armstrong Signature Les Paul Jr"
608:
2019–Pres: Les Paul Junior (Original Collection)
722: (1961–1971, 2011–present) – successor of
693:
278:
204:
200:
153:
589:
1956–1958: Les Paul Junior 3/4 (Single Cutaway)
262:
model was introduced in 1958, nearly doubling Junior sales.
270:
241:
179:
494:
Superdistortion pickup as added by Frehley. It contained
228:
body redesign. The initial run was discontinued in 1963.
208:
652:
1958–1961: Les Paul Junior (Double Cutaway)
624:
2015: Les Paul Junior 2015 (LPJR15)
621:
2011–2012: Les Paul Junior 2011 (Model LPJ)
586:
1954–1958: Les Paul Junior (Single Cutaway)
712:(1959–1971) – an entry-level guitar model similar to
627:
2018: Les Paul Junior 2018
655:
1958–1959: Les Paul TV (Double Cutaway)
592:
1954–1958: Les Paul TV (Single Cutaway)
186:, 1 H-90 (Billie Joe Armstrong signature model only)
618:
2008–2012: Les Paul Junior Faded (LPJ)
955:, Gibson Guitar Corporation, 2006, archived from
1391:
498:incorporated into sequences that turned on as a
1022:"Gibson | Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Junior"
997:"Gibson | Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Junior"
775:
773:
605:2001–2002: Les Paul Junior (LPJ-)
1230:
1105:Gibson guitars: 100 years of an American icon
787:, Blue Book Publications, Inc, archived from
875:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
824:
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1237:
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1141:
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658:(1961–1963: Les Paul Junior (
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802:
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332:added in the neck position) also became
1392:
1122:
1101:
912:
813:
764:
391:(reissued 1959 Junior DC in TV Yellow)
1218:
1082:
933:
839:
1144:Gibson Electrics - The Classic Years
1108:(1st ed.). General Pub. Group.
1244:
785:Blue Book of Electric Guitar Values
781:"GIBSON Les Paul: Junior/TV Series"
539:
13:
1174:Blue Book of Electric Guitar Value
1162:
952:Gibson USA & Green Day present
14:
1416:
1198:
1067:, Gibson Guitar Corporation, 2018
1051:, Gibson Guitar Corporation, 2015
906:
672:1987–1989, 1995–1996:
640:
574:
406:, these models were renamed the "
255:The Les Paul & Mary Ford Show
892:"Les Paul Junior Single Cutaway"
854:The Steve Howe Guitar Collection
510:", new circuits, and new lamps.
31:
1075:
1055:
1039:
1014:
989:
963:
939:
568:
336:'s main guitar during his post-
281:players of the time, including
927:
913:Meeker, Ward (February 2012).
884:
845:
833:
1:
1205:Les Paul Junior at Gibson.com
1176:, Blue Book Publications, Inc
744:
740:but with cutaway at 20th fret
433:Les Paul Junior, featuring a
415:
380:
364:Tales from Topographic Oceans
1170:"GIBSON Les Paul: SG Series"
325:. A Les Paul Junior (with a
247:In 1955 Gibson launched the
7:
698:
688:
10:
1421:
644:
578:
358:used one with a different
231:
16:Solid-body electric guitar
1405:Gibson Les Paul submodels
1351:
1305:
1254:
1186:— search the text "
1142:Duchossoir, A.R. (1998).
1085:The American Blues Guitar
856:, GPI Books, p. 37,
558:
195:
190:
172:
164:
159:
145:
135:
125:
120:
110:
102:
94:
89:
52:
42:
30:
23:
529:Epiphone Les Paul Junior
435:Charlie Christian pickup
258:then on television. The
1400:Gibson electric guitars
1210:Gibson Les Paul History
1123:Carter, Walter (2007).
1102:Carter, Walter (1994).
565:Gibson Les Paul Special
705:List of Gibson players
437:
392:
389:Gibson '59 Les Paul TV
218:Gibson Les Paul Junior
37:Gibson Les Paul Junior
25:Gibson Les Paul Junior
1343:Pearly Gates (guitar)
716:but with thinner body
428:
388:
1083:Batey, Rick (2003).
1064:Les Paul Junior 2018
1048:Les Paul Junior 2015
466:Billie Joe Armstrong
371:Billie Joe Armstrong
348:recorded the entire
61:1961–1963 (in
1192:SG-shaped Les Pauls
710:Gibson Melody Maker
429:Gibson Custom Shop
369:It is also used by
83:2019– present
1127:. Backbeat Books.
738:Les Paul Junior DC
438:
393:
311:The New York Dolls
1387:
1386:
791:on April 11, 2016
327:Charlie Christian
315:The Heartbreakers
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959:on July 21, 2008
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799:
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720:Gibson SG Junior
571:, respectively.
540:Epiphone Invader
482:Les Paul Special
291:Luther Grosvenor
191:Colors available
35:
26:
21:
20:
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1415:
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1379:Gibson The Paul
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1306:Famous examples
1301:
1250:
1247:Gibson Les Paul
1246:
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1179:
1177:
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1165:
1163:Further reading
1160:
1154:
1146:. Hal Leonard.
1135:
1116:
1095:
1087:. Hal Leonard.
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978:
977:. July 23, 2018
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829:Duchossoir 1998
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724:Les Paul Junior
714:Les Paul Junior
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390:
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307:Johnny Thunders
303:Mott the Hoople
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80:2015–2016
77:2008–2012
74:2001–2002
71:1995–1996
68:1986–1992
58:1954–1961
38:
24:
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12:
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1199:External links
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1190:" to find the
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1026:www.gibson.com
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1001:www.gibson.com
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920:Vintage Guitar
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581:Single cutaway
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475:Stay the Night
450:Peter Frampton
399:Vintage Guitar
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373:from the band
260:double-cutaway
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1369:Les Paul bass
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1134:9780879308957
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948:
942:
936:, p. 115
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863:0-87930-290-9
859:
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842:, p. 114
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816:, p. 196
815:
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786:
782:
776:
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767:, p. 139
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739:
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734:Gibson Spirit
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508:”C” batteries
505:
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467:
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459:
458:Gibson ES-150
455:
451:
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400:
396:described in
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182:, 2 P-90s, 1
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41:
34:
29:
22:
19:
1374:Gibson GK-55
1337:(Neil Young)
1277:Melody Maker
1271:
1187:
1178:, retrieved
1173:
1143:
1124:
1104:
1084:
1076:Bibliography
1063:
1057:
1047:
1041:
1029:. Retrieved
1025:
1016:
1004:. Retrieved
1000:
991:
979:. Retrieved
974:
965:
957:the original
951:
941:
929:
918:
908:
896:. Retrieved
894:. Zuitar.com
886:
853:
847:
835:
793:, retrieved
789:the original
784:
737:
723:
713:
562:
554:
550:
543:
532:
519:
512:
504:rechargeable
486:
479:
439:
420:baseball bat
412:
397:
394:
368:
349:
342:Martin Barre
299:Spooky Tooth
295:Ariel Bender
264:
253:
246:
235:
217:
215:
90:Construction
43:Manufacturer
18:
1359:ES-Les Paul
1188:SG Les Paul
814:Carter 1994
765:Carter 2007
569:#Variations
514:Leslie West
496:light bulbs
488:Ace Frehley
442:John Lennon
431:John Lennon
346:Jethro Tull
334:John Lennon
283:Leslie West
249:Les Paul TV
226:Les Paul/SG
1394:Categories
1115:1881649393
975:reverb.com
934:Batey 2003
898:August 16,
840:Batey 2003
745:References
679:variations
645:See also:
613:variations
579:See also:
454:Bob Marley
452:, and the
446:Mick Jones
381:Variations
356:Steve Howe
323:The Eagles
319:Glenn Frey
168:Wraparound
103:Neck joint
1334:Old Black
1267:Doublecut
1255:Submodels
1180:April 12,
1031:April 22,
1006:April 22,
981:April 22,
795:March 30,
520:In 2015,
462:Green Day
422:") neck.
416:#Timeline
408:SG Junior
375:Green Day
267:amplifier
184:humbucker
174:Pickup(s)
146:Fretboard
95:Body type
1364:Les Paul
1352:See also
1292:Standard
871:citation
699:See also
689:Timeline
667:reissues
660:SG-style
597:reissues
545:Epiphone
534:Epiphone
492:DiMarzio
404:Les Paul
351:Aqualung
293:(a.k.a.
287:Mountain
238:Les Paul
222:Les Paul
197:Sunburst
160:Hardware
150:Rosewood
140:Mahogany
130:Mahogany
1287:Special
500:marquee
471:Oh Love
340:years.
338:Beatles
232:History
1313:Greeny
1297:Studio
1272:Junior
1262:Custom
1150:
1131:
1112:
1091:
860:
559:Models
522:Gibson
360:bridge
330:pickup
317:, and
269:. The
165:Bridge
116:24.75"
65:shape)
53:Period
47:Gibson
1282:Robot
730:shape
726:with
297:) of
279:blues
205:White
201:Ebony
154:Ebony
121:Woods
112:Scale
98:Solid
1328:Lucy
1182:2016
1148:ISBN
1129:ISBN
1110:ISBN
1089:ISBN
1033:2023
1008:2023
983:2023
900:2008
877:link
858:ISBN
797:2016
567:and
480:The
473:and
313:and
301:and
277:and
275:rock
271:P-90
242:P-90
216:The
180:P-90
136:Neck
126:Body
464:'s
410:".
362:on
344:of
321:of
309:of
285:of
209:Red
106:Set
1396::
1172:,
1024:.
999:.
973:.
949:,
917:.
873:}}
869:{{
821:^
804:^
783:,
772:^
753:^
728:SG
662:))
448:,
444:,
377:.
305:,
289:,
207:,
199:,
178:1
152:,
63:SG
1238:e
1231:t
1224:v
1194:.
1156:.
1137:.
1118:.
1097:.
1035:.
1010:.
985:.
923:.
902:.
881:.
879:)
506:"
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