aliasmunch
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How to determine age and value of a Junior?
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guitarbob123
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If original and not some form of reissue it's a 1955 Les Paul Junior.
I don't know it's value.
I don't know it's value.
schaapie
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Your guitar was made at the Kalamazoo Plant, USA. Approximately in: 1955
I think with the replaced parts: tuners, knobs and bridge. I think about 3.000.
But wait for the experts to drop by... It could be a reissue, it looks awfully mint for being 60+ years old.
Cheers and my condolences to you and your family,
Brian.
I think with the replaced parts: tuners, knobs and bridge. I think about 3.000.
But wait for the experts to drop by... It could be a reissue, it looks awfully mint for being 60+ years old.
Cheers and my condolences to you and your family,
Brian.
56custom
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That one appears to have the standard 70's 'upgrades'- badass bridge and grovers. Also, the molded "chainsaw" case is obviously not original- but great protection- that's what my 55 Junior is kept in.
I tend to agree with the 3000 - 3500 range with a motivated private buyer. A dealer will offer less.
I tend to agree with the 3000 - 3500 range with a motivated private buyer. A dealer will offer less.
Core
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Sorry for your loss I'm sure this is a trying time for you. My condolences to you and your family.
That's a super nice one you've got there! Would love to get some more info from you though such as, do you have guitar experience or do you just want to be able to sell it without much hassle? If you do have some experience you can find a set of No Line Kluson tuners (1955 and earlier) on Ebay occasionally, got a set for $130 last month, very clean! Replaced my shrunken plastic.
I paid $4100 for mine back in January, slightly too much I think. It's all original though, just the typical faint checking and scratches.
Value is a tough thing as you could probably find the tuners to replace the newer ones and an original bridge and knobs for fairly decent price. IF you wanted to put a little money into getting it original again. You'd still have the holes but only discerning collectors would pass on it. They ARE awesome guitars and should be played anyway as I do! Would doing those things drive up the value? Probably but not much, the body looks to be in awesome shape from the pic and one in similar condition except completely original sold for $6k. I'm just a player but I watch the market closely. I think as it sits, the numbers thrown around is pretty accurate for current market. $3k or so. With correct parts might be able to wrestle in upwards of $4k but $3500-3700 more likely.
It's a gamble though, for instance it may sit on Ebay for quite awhile if you left it alone. It would take someone like me or some of the other guys here who don't really care that it has those mods on it and just wants a good deal for a player. I've seen the same super clean ones over and over sit there for months now because they are probably priced too high and sellers won't back down to reasonable prices.
On the other hand if you put a little into it and put it up honestly but it has the correct parts it may go quickly at the right price. Majority of people though tend to want vintage items like this to have all the OEM parts so ultimately the decision is yours. You may try putting it up on Ebay for say $3500 BIN or best offer and see what offers come in to gauge interest.
We are here to help if you need it! Take care and write back with an update.
That's a super nice one you've got there! Would love to get some more info from you though such as, do you have guitar experience or do you just want to be able to sell it without much hassle? If you do have some experience you can find a set of No Line Kluson tuners (1955 and earlier) on Ebay occasionally, got a set for $130 last month, very clean! Replaced my shrunken plastic.
I paid $4100 for mine back in January, slightly too much I think. It's all original though, just the typical faint checking and scratches.
Value is a tough thing as you could probably find the tuners to replace the newer ones and an original bridge and knobs for fairly decent price. IF you wanted to put a little money into getting it original again. You'd still have the holes but only discerning collectors would pass on it. They ARE awesome guitars and should be played anyway as I do! Would doing those things drive up the value? Probably but not much, the body looks to be in awesome shape from the pic and one in similar condition except completely original sold for $6k. I'm just a player but I watch the market closely. I think as it sits, the numbers thrown around is pretty accurate for current market. $3k or so. With correct parts might be able to wrestle in upwards of $4k but $3500-3700 more likely.
It's a gamble though, for instance it may sit on Ebay for quite awhile if you left it alone. It would take someone like me or some of the other guys here who don't really care that it has those mods on it and just wants a good deal for a player. I've seen the same super clean ones over and over sit there for months now because they are probably priced too high and sellers won't back down to reasonable prices.
On the other hand if you put a little into it and put it up honestly but it has the correct parts it may go quickly at the right price. Majority of people though tend to want vintage items like this to have all the OEM parts so ultimately the decision is yours. You may try putting it up on Ebay for say $3500 BIN or best offer and see what offers come in to gauge interest.
We are here to help if you need it! Take care and write back with an update.
voodo child
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You could check out ebay and see how much other people charge for their guitars and adjust your price accordingly 
1959lespaul
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Im sorry for your loss. Im sure the guitar does not make up for it, but it looks like youve got one hell of a player-grade 1955 LP Jr.
cherrick
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I think $3+K is too low.
With some minor effort and a bit of an investment, you could find an original bridge and an original set of tuners. I would suggest that you acquire a set of original tuners and put them in the case (pocket) and convey the guitar with the Grovers (current tuners) installed.
That 55 Junior is in incredible condition. With an original-vintage bridge installed and set up you should get over $4K.
Just my opinion.
With some minor effort and a bit of an investment, you could find an original bridge and an original set of tuners. I would suggest that you acquire a set of original tuners and put them in the case (pocket) and convey the guitar with the Grovers (current tuners) installed.
That 55 Junior is in incredible condition. With an original-vintage bridge installed and set up you should get over $4K.
Just my opinion.
aliasmunch
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All of the replies were very helpful. The pics might be a bit deceiving as far its condition. The finish on the front of the guitar is cracking, perhaps crazing is the right term? For this reason I think it may be the original finish. I feel confident this condition issue is restricted to the finish and doesn't carry through to the wood. My brother passed two years ago. The worst of the greiving is behind us, but he is and always will be sorely missed. Thanks for everyones sentiment. He had several guitars. I do not play any instruments , but will keep one for sentimental purposes. I haven't decided which it will be. .....................These new pics should accurately show the condition issue on the front. Please let me know what you think. Thanks, regards Kevin
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58 special
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[Q. The finish on the front of the guitar is cracking, perhaps crazing is the right term? [/QUOTE]
Rarely does anyone find any 50's Les paul without any finish checking.
Doesn't hurt the value. It is even common for people to buy new guitars
and spend lots of money to have them artificially aged to get that exact look.
Not my cup of tea , but to each his own. Nice guitar thanks for bringing it to the forum.
Rarely does anyone find any 50's Les paul without any finish checking.
Doesn't hurt the value. It is even common for people to buy new guitars
and spend lots of money to have them artificially aged to get that exact look.
Not my cup of tea , but to each his own. Nice guitar thanks for bringing it to the forum.
cherrick
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So, that's as some have said "finish cracking" aka crazing. It's very normal. If your guitar did not have some of it, suspicions would fly. And yours is drop-dead perfect. If I were buying a '55 Junior I would put yours at the top of the bucket list and the crazing would be part of the reasons why.
Very nice, just very very nice. I'm with 58Special ... thanks for bringing the pics to the group here. If you're going to sell it, this forum has a member classifieds section should you want to make it available to one of the members here. I could not afford it but some of us here can.
Very nice, just very very nice. I'm with 58Special ... thanks for bringing the pics to the group here. If you're going to sell it, this forum has a member classifieds section should you want to make it available to one of the members here. I could not afford it but some of us here can.
Liam
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Kevin,
Sorry for your loss.
'55 Juniors are fairly sought after guitars, and that looks a nice one with a few alterations. A few people might string me up for saying this, but if you weigh it, and even better find the resistance of the pickup with a meter, it might turn out to be a holy grail for someone. And if you do start thinking about selling it for below $4K, get in touch with me before you do so. liamhumberstone"at"yahoo.com I'm in the UK, but I've had a few guitars from the USA before. It seems too nice for the $3.5K range to me.
Liam
Sorry for your loss.
'55 Juniors are fairly sought after guitars, and that looks a nice one with a few alterations. A few people might string me up for saying this, but if you weigh it, and even better find the resistance of the pickup with a meter, it might turn out to be a holy grail for someone. And if you do start thinking about selling it for below $4K, get in touch with me before you do so. liamhumberstone"at"yahoo.com I'm in the UK, but I've had a few guitars from the USA before. It seems too nice for the $3.5K range to me.
Liam
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