Epi LP Jr.

[93si]

I really dig LP Jr's, however, is there only one trim level? I'm looking into getting one, but I wanted to find the equivalent of a LP Custom, as a Jr.

They should make one with trap inlays...etc.

On a side note, does anyone here have an Epi LP Jr. What is the quality like? Anything you don't like?


EDIT: I just checked Epi's website, and there is no Jr. Does anyone know the history of the Epi LP Jr?

 

[ken374]

From the older one alot of people like them and the p90 or p100 sounded good. I want one soon my self. I guess there making them again I seen one at a store for 300 and it prob made better also. There not on the site and I havent seen them anywere else. But the store said they were the newer models.

 

[TeleDog]

Ask Harmony, she's got an Epi Jr.

I don't understand your question tough. You want a Jr. that has double binding, trapezoid inlays, an inlayed headstock....?

The ONLY reason Gibson introduced the LP Jr was to give customers an affordable, entry level guitar that could compete well in the market. The Jr is a down to bare minimum guitar, a P-90 instead of the PAF, no binding at all, no inlay (just silkscreening for the headstock), no TOM bridge.

So, you want the opposite of that?

Did you know the Custom came with P-90s as well when it was introduced? Maybe you should get one and retrofit some P-90s in there, or buy HB-size P-90s as a replacement.

The Jr and the Special were alternatives to the higher end, top of the line Les Pauls. Both had a simple, thiner all-mahogany body, no maple cap, no body binding, no PAFs, no (then) state of the art TOM bridge... but they were cheaper! This expanded Gibson's market to include students and kids looking to play with their RR bands. The Jr. was the simplest, minimal routing, one dog-ear P-90. The Special was a bit more elaborated with two soap bars and a switch with vol and tone controls that resembled the Standard. Still, they were cheaper, lighter.

The Jr was to be eventually replaced by the Melody Maker, and the Special just went away. I love them both. Nothing sounds as raw as a LP special, it's got a sound of its own and it's perfect for classic blues and RR stuff.

 

[93si]

I guess my post was a little confusing.

Epiphone Les Pauls come in different trim levels (studio, standard, custom...) as we all know. I was curious as to weather the Junior came in any other trim levels (for example; a Junior deluxe etc.). I wasn't saying that I was looking for a Junior that had double binding, trapezoid inlays, and an inlayed headstock; I was saying that Epi should make one like that.

However, after reading your post and reading mine aloud, I realize that it goes against what a Junior is. The only reason I was wondering if they had a higher trim level was because the Epi LP Jr is so inexpensive. It makes me nervous (quality-wise) buying a guitar that is only $150.00 (give or take), but I really like single P90 guitars. That's why I was asking if anyone had one, and what they thought of them.

Thanks TeleDog, you gave me a quick lesson on the Junior.

Anyone else have an experience with the Epi LP Jr?¿

 

[#1guitarman]

I HAD an Epi. LP Jr.
I took it apart, spec'ed it out and built my own version. I didn't like the idea of a plywood body and bolt on neck.
Mine is solid one piece Honduren Mahogany, set neck, single tone-vol. controls, GFS Dream 180 Pup. I used the Epiphone neck, it fit right in my hand, so I plugged the holes and glued that sucker in. Yep, I did a lil headstock reshapein' too. Not the "Open Book" everyones so fond of either.
Mine sounds 100% better than the Epi. (He sez, as he pats himself on the back.)
But, to tell ya the truth, that lil guitar didn't sound bad with a single 'bucker and the ply body...I'd buy another one, just 'cause they don't make 'em anymore.

 

[brianugly]

Ask Harmony, she's got an Epi Jr.

I don't understand your question tough. You want a Jr. that has double binding, trapezoid inlays, an inlayed headstock....?

The ONLY reason Gibson introduced the LP Jr was to give customers an affordable, entry level guitar that could compete well in the market. The Jr is a down to bare minimum guitar, a P-90 instead of the PAF, no binding at all, no inlay (just silkscreening for the headstock), no TOM bridge.

So, you want the opposite of that?

Did you know the Custom came with P-90s as well when it was introduced? Maybe you should get one and retrofit some P-90s in there, or buy HB-size P-90s as a replacement.

The Jr and the Special were alternatives to the higher end, top of the line Les Pauls. Both had a simple, thiner all-mahogany body, no maple cap, no body binding, no PAFs, no (then) state of the art TOM bridge... but they were cheaper! This expanded Gibson's market to include students and kids looking to play with their RR bands. The Jr. was the simplest, minimal routing, one dog-ear P-90. The Special was a bit more elaborated with two soap bars and a switch with vol and tone controls that resembled the Standard. Still, they were cheaper, lighter.

The Jr was to be eventually replaced by the Melody Maker, and the Special just went away. I love them both. Nothing sounds as raw as a LP special, it's got a sound of its own and it's perfect for classic blues and RR stuff.

That is what i was thinking.

 

[Telechamp]

I really dig LP Jr's, however, is there only one trim level? I'm looking into getting one, but I wanted to find the equivalent of a LP Custom, as a Jr.

They should make one with trap inlays...etc.

On a side note, does anyone here have an Epi LP Jr. What is the quality like? Anything you don't like?


EDIT: I just checked Epi's website, and there is no Jr. Does anyone know the history of the Epi LP Jr?

Well, I have to say I really like my hundred dollar Epi LP Jr. ... I just picked it up and played it on a whim one day in GC and thought "Man, this ain't a bad axe, really..."

So I took it home w/ the intention of putting in a GFS Dream 90 in place of the stock humbucker, but, well, I really like the tone of the stock 'bucker in this thing...

The neck is really nice, too, BTW...

I keep thinking I will put that P-90 in, but...

 

[>Photi G<]

Are they still made of plywood?

 

[93si]

Telechamp, did you have it set up at all? I haven't heard of anyone who regretted getting one. I may pick one up if I can find one. I was also planning on replacing the stock bucker.

Edit: P.S.....Your guitar looks awesome!!!! Nice pics!!

Are they still made of plywood?

I don't think they make them at all anymore (someone correct me if I'm wrong), but the last description said they were made of "tonewood"....I'm not really sure what that means??

 

[standard man]

Ive always thought of getting one of those and putting a p90 in there. Ive never gotten around to it.

 

[Telechamp]

Telechamp, did you have it set up at all? I haven't heard of anyone who regretted getting one. I may pick one up if I can find one. I was also planning on replacing the stock bucker.

Edit: P.S.....Your guitar looks awesome!!!! Nice pics!!

Thanks!

This Epi Jr. seemed pretty well set up when I bought it. I did tweak it just a tad but I was surprised at how well it played - that's one reason I bought it. I loved the action on this thing in the store. And the volume knob has a really accurate taper which shocked me... I put new strings on it as soon as I got it home, though, and top wrapped them. Put graphite in the nut. I also lowered the pickup just slightly. It stays in tune really well - which to be honest, surprises me..

For me at $99 it was a no-brainer. I may eventually replace the stock bucker with a P-90 as I said, but I've been in no hurry to do that as I do like the stock humbucker's tone..

 

[Telechamp]

Ive always thought of getting one of those and putting a p90 in there. Ive never gotten around to it.

That was my thought, too (putting a P-90 in), but I haven't gotten around to doing it, either.. I do like the stock bucker in mine.

I was thinking that for a hundred bucks, I might just go get another one for that price and throw a P-90 in the new one..

 

[cynic79]

I had an older one with a P-90 and a bolt-on neck. It was a piece of junk all around. The neck was okay, but it had all the resonance of a brick and it wouldn't stay in tune at all. To top it off, the neck joint was so weak that the pitch wobbled whenever I moved around while playing the guitar.

I keep meaning to dust it off and fix it up, but then I wonder why I should even bother.

 

[acdcfan10]

I just got a Epiphone les paul 57 JR reissue and i love it. great tone and sustain . Set neck with wraparound bridge and a p-100

 

[monkeyboy]

They are still readily available at Guitar Center(cringe). I used to work there part time and would pick them up occasionally. For the price they can't be beat. But if you are worried about quality, just save up a little bit more and find a used Gibson Jr. They can be had for the 300-500 range for the newer ones. Hell, I have one for sale now that had a clean headstock break that was repaired...