Although the Les Paul Junior and Special models were originally marketed as student and entry-level guitars, they quickly became iconic among professional rock & roll musicians due to their simplicity, raw tone, and incredible playability.
Legendary artists such as Keith Richards, Leslie West, Joan Jett, Billie Joe Armstrong, Bob Marley, John Lennon, and Johnny Thunders have all embraced these models throughout their careers, making them an integral part of rock history.
The Les Paul Junior was first introduced by Gibson in 1954 as a budget-friendly alternative to the standard Les Paul. It featured a simple yet effective design—solid mahogany body, single P-90 pickup, wraparound bridge, and a no-frills approach that emphasized pure, unadulterated tone. Initially released as a single-cutaway model, the Junior underwent a major design change in late 1958 with the introduction of the double-cutaway version. This new design provided greater access to the upper frets, making it even more appealing to lead guitarists who needed freedom across the entire fretboard.
This particular Les Paul Junior is an late 1959 model, featuring the second version of the double-cutaway body, which has a rounder, less defined contour.
One of the standout features of this guitar is its unfaded finish still very red. What needs to be noticed is the fact that the complete guitar has been oversprayed (even pickup cover) a long time ago. Although the result is not perfect when viewed closely, it has allowed the guitar to keep the color it had when it left the factory.
The guitar carries the serial number 9 24038 and remains in very good condition. Despite its frequent use, the instrument has been well-maintained, with only a few minor modifications over the years. The only non-original component is a replacment wire from the pots to the original pickup.
Pots are original Centralab dated 1959 (134924 and 134929).
Original factory-installed tuners are still in place with no extra holes. Original single P-90 pickup still sings. Those 50s P90 are known for their punchy midrange and aggressive bite. Importantly, the guitar has never undergone any structural repairs, making it an even more desirable example of this classic model.
The Les Paul Junior’s single P-90 pickup is a defining feature, delivering a raw, powerful sound with plenty of clarity and dynamic response. Its simplicity allows the natural resonance of the solid mahogany body to shine through, producing the warm and aggressive tones that have made this model a favorite among rock and punk guitarists for decades.
It is equipped with the desirable Music City Stud Finder bridge for a perfect intonation. The original which is broken is included in the case.
This guitar comes with a recent hard case for protection and is available for testing at our shop in Brussels. Worldwide shipping is also possible. Don’t miss this opportunity to own a piece of rock & roll history!
Specs :
Serial : 9 24038
Weight : 3,3kgs
Pickup : original P90
Pickup output : 8.33 K Ohm
Bridge : Music City Stud finder (original broken in the case)
Tuners : original single line Kluson
Case : recent hardcase