Les Paul Junior for 2018 hot or not ?

[Astro Ghast]

Excellent.

Naw man, we can keep this thread alive until I get ME one because this is where I'll post it first!

I think you'll enjoy the Sanford Magnetics' 9077. It's what's in my 2007 Junior now.

Where did you find it for $900 if it's not too presumptive to ask. Asking for a friend.

I work for a Gibson Dealer and therefore get a pretty generous discount. Which I admit was a factor in me picking up this guitar. I love Juniors, but at full MAP would have been a little much, for me personally. That said, I knew I had to have one and may have paid full pop regardless. They're pretty great guitars.

What do you think of the Sanford 9077? I've heard such good things. I'm on the 'wait list' or whatever it is the website calls it. Can't wait!

 

[endial]

Man, that's gotta be a harsh place to work at with all that temptation.

Anyways, congrats. And, I apologize in that I was mistaken about that pup. I got the 9022, which is "mellower" and more midsy than the 9077. It's theoretically a neck pup for a Special but with bridge pos. string alignment. A2 magnet. That 9077 should scream with Nate's winds. I'm a mids cat, and with the dynamics a Junior already gives with it being a single pup guitar, I figured at the time I bought it a 9077 would be too much. The 9022 has plenty of bite, I assure you. I imagine the 9077 will sing.

Back on subject, I traded, bought and bought and traded and swapped my way right out of contention for this model Junior this past year. I put up my Junior/Special for sale and socked money aside for it but never got to the full amount needed. Then, of course, other "deals" come around (and auto repairs, etc.) and one thing leads to another. I'll probably have to wait for a used one if any ever show up as such. I'll have to be on point when/if they do. Consider yourself fortunate!

 

[gypsyseven]

I played one in a local store and unfortunately didn’t liked it. Not sure if it was the setup or the guitar...I‘m a big p90‘s fan, but this one isn’t for me. I prefer the older ones made around 2010...

 

[Plexi70]

I realize this is an older thread now, but I recently picked up one of these Juniors. It's extremely resonant and loud unplugged. I love the way it plays and how it sounds.

I've owned Juniors before and this one was perfectly spot on for me, spec wise and otherwise. I was considering a custom shop reissue but this one had everything I was looking for in a Junior that my previous models didn't have. The ledge, fat neck, etc.

I got mine for under $900, brand new. I really couldn't be happier with it.

Only gripe, and not a big deal at all, is the pcb board. Some upgrades I have planned; Moxoaxe compensated tailpiece, Creamtone absolute vintage wiring harness, and a Sanford Magnetics 9077 P90.

Only thing I haven't figured out yet are the studs, so if anyone has any suggestions. Looking for steel studs that'll eliminate tilt. Also, is it worthwhile changing the bushings or not? Any idea on their length?

The Mojo compensated tailpiece is suited for the plain G - good choice as long as its not the lightning bolt version. I have a Pigtail wraparound on my Jr (zero tilt/laser fit) and use Pyramid Classic Pure Nickel 12-54s. The wound G resolves the intonation issue with a traditional wraparound. As far as studs go - steel.

50s Juniors used a 250k audio tone pot; Creamtone uses 500K vintage taper for both pots. AVOID a 500K vintage taper TONE pot with 50s wiring as it'll act more like an on/off switch. Moderately wound Alnico 5s have scooped mids compared to A2 and the 250K tone helps shape the mids without dulling the treble and from my experience, has a smoother sweep than a 500K meaning that one can hear the tone pot working between the ranges of 9-1 on the dial of a 250K 10% audio taper tone pot as opposed to 6-1 with a 500K 10% audio taper: 3-1 with a 500K 30% vintage taper. Halfway on 500K tone does not equal 10 on a 250. Improved sweep range = more tonal variety.

The stock bushings are steel and are a decent length; swapping them could result in replacement bushing having a looser fit. Consider replacing the nylon nut with bone if ultimate tone is desired and adjust pole screws afterwards to balance string-to-string output (not to curve of neck). It’s more about compensating for thickness of core wires - particularly in A and D strings which have very thin cores and reason why plain G jumps out so much. The stock P90 is rather good and it is very easy to swap the magnets in it.

900 is a great price.

 

[yamariv]

The Mojo compensated tailpiece is suited for the plain G - good choice as long as its not the lightning bolt version. I have a Pigtail wraparound on my Jr (zero tilt/laser fit) and use Pyramid Classic Pure Nickel 12-54s. The wound G resolves the intonation issue with a traditional wraparound. As far as studs go - steel.

50s Juniors used a 250k audio tone pot; Creamtone uses 500K vintage taper for both pots. AVOID a 500K vintage taper TONE pot with 50s wiring as it'll act more like an on/off switch. Moderately wound Alnico 5s have scooped mids compared to A2 and the 250K tone helps shape the mids without dulling the treble and from my experience, has a smoother sweep than a 500K meaning that one can hear the tone pot working between the ranges of 9-1 on the dial of a 250K 10% audio taper tone pot as opposed to 6-1 with a 500K 10% audio taper: 3-1 with a 500K 30% vintage taper. Halfway on 500K tone does not equal 10 on a 250. Improved sweep range = more tonal variety.

The stock bushings are steel and are a decent length; swapping them could result in replacement bushing having a looser fit. Consider replacing the nylon nut with bone if ultimate tone is desired and adjust pole screws afterwards to balance string-to-string output (not to curve of neck). It’s more about compensating for thickness of core wires - particularly in A and D strings which have very thin cores and reason why plain G jumps out so much. The stock P90 is rather good and it is very easy to swap the magnets in it.

900 is a great price.

YES for the 250k Tone pot!!

I had a 500k in my Junior and switched it to a 250k tone Pot and it was night and day difference. Like Plexi 70 said, a 500k acts like an on off switch with 50's wiring, a 250k is soo interactive with the volume control it's crazy.. we'll worth the swap!!

 

[Astro Ghast]

Man, that's gotta be a harsh place to work at with all that temptation.

Anyways, congrats. And, I apologize in that I was mistaken about that pup. I got the 9022, which is "mellower" and more midsy than the 9077. It's theoretically a neck pup for a Special but with bridge pos. string alignment. A2 magnet. That 9077 should scream with Nate's winds. I'm a mids cat, and with the dynamics a Junior already gives with it being a single pup guitar, I figured at the time I bought it a 9077 would be too much. The 9022 has plenty of bite, I assure you. I imagine the 9077 will sing.

Back on subject, I traded, bought and bought and traded and swapped my way right out of contention for this model Junior this past year. I put up my Junior/Special for sale and socked money aside for it but never got to the full amount needed. Then, of course, other "deals" come around (and auto repairs, etc.) and one thing leads to another. I'll probably have to wait for a used one if any ever show up as such. I'll have to be on point when/if they do. Consider your self fortunate!

It can be super hard sometimes. There's so many nice guitars out there, and I only have so much money. I try to limit myself to one a year, maybe two if one is an exception, as was this Junior. Knowing it was limited I had to bite the bullet. More recently an incredible NOS 2016 LP standard came in and I'm having a really hard time knowing I can't have it. lol

I actually passed one (a Junior) up months ago because the yellow in the center had a green tint to it I hadn't seen on any others and it was a little pukey looking. So when this one came in I had to have it.

Thanks for the info on the pups. It's nice to hear real world experience on them.

Thanks man! I hope one comes around for you. I'm sure you'll be able to get one at a good price sooner than later.

 

[Astro Ghast]

The Mojo compensated tailpiece is suited for the plain G - good choice as long as its not the lightning bolt version. I have a Pigtail wraparound on my Jr (zero tilt/laser fit) and use Pyramid Classic Pure Nickel 12-54s. The wound G resolves the intonation issue with a traditional wraparound. As far as studs go - steel.

50s Juniors used a 250k audio tone pot; Creamtone uses 500K vintage taper for both pots. AVOID a 500K vintage taper TONE pot with 50s wiring as it'll act more like an on/off switch. Moderately wound Alnico 5s have scooped mids compared to A2 and the 250K tone helps shape the mids without dulling the treble and from my experience, has a smoother sweep than a 500K meaning that one can hear the tone pot working between the ranges of 9-1 on the dial of a 250K 10% audio taper tone pot as opposed to 6-1 with a 500K 10% audio taper: 3-1 with a 500K 30% vintage taper. Halfway on 500K tone does not equal 10 on a 250. Improved sweep range = more tonal variety.

The stock bushings are steel and are a decent length; swapping them could result in replacement bushing having a looser fit. Consider replacing the nylon nut with bone if ultimate tone is desired and adjust pole screws afterwards to balance string-to-string output (not to curve of neck). It’s more about compensating for thickness of core wires - particularly in A and D strings which have very thin cores and reason why plain G jumps out so much. The stock P90 is rather good and it is very easy to swap the magnets in it.

900 is a great price.

Wow, thanks for the great info! That's all really useful and exactly what I was looking for. Do you have a preference on A2 vs A5 specifically in Juniors?

Do you have any recommendations on a wiring kit or harness?

Thanks!

 

[Plexi70]

Wow, thanks for the great info! That's all really useful and exactly what I was looking for. Do you have a preference on A2 vs A5 specifically in Juniors?

Do you have any recommendations on a wiring kit or harness?

Thanks!

RS Guitarworks pre-wired Vintage Les Paul Jr. kit $55

The Alnico magnet is one factor and the wind is another. A5 magnets "tend" to drive a preamp section harder than A2 but at the expense of sounding harsh, mid-scooped and sterile.

I went with a Wolfetone Meaner. No issues with clarity or drive. Wolfetone offers great service and top-notch pickups. He is well know to listen to what a customer wants and makes it so.

'18 Les Paul Jr
Dr Z Mini Z w/Greenback 10

 

[Dilver]

A

QUOTE="Astro Ghast, post: 8886149, member: 116158"]I realize this is an older thread now, but I recently picked up one of these Juniors. It's extremely resonant and loud unplugged. I love the way it plays and how it sounds.

I've owned Juniors before and this one was perfectly spot on for me, spec wise and otherwise. I was considering a custom shop reissue but this one had everything I was looking for in a Junior that my previous models didn't have. The ledge, fat neck, etc.

I got mine for under $900, brand new. I really couldn't be happier with it.

Only gripe, and not a big deal at all, is the pcb board. Some upgrades I have planned; Moxoaxe compensated tailpiece, Creamtone absolute vintage wiring harness, and a Sanford Magnetics 9077 P90.

Only thing I haven't figured out yet are the studs, so if anyone has any suggestions. Looking for steel studs that'll eliminate tilt. Also, is it worthwhile changing the bushings or not? Any idea on their length?[/QUOTE]

Glad you’re enjoying it. It only gets better. Some slightly longer vintage length steel studs with a Mojoaxe compensated tailpiece and P90 of your choice (the Stock Gibson is VERY good to begin with... I went with a Wolfetone Meaner 90) and you’re pretty set, no need to swap out the bushings. I will say that although you probably won’t hear much of a difference between the PC board and a standard wiring harness (the stock pots are good), you will hear a difference when you switch to 50s wiring and you’re playing with the volume and tone control interaction. I’m STILL surprised at how much I’m enjoying this guitar and there’s something wildly addictive about trying to get all your tones out of a single pickup guitar and a good overdriven tube amp - guitar, cable, amp - no pedals. And damn, I get lost in that finish...

 

[Plexi70]

I thought the stock nut and action was decent out of the box but had the Jr taken to a veteran luthier who setup the action, dressed a few frets and crafted a nut from a cow bone blank. It’s a vast improvement all up and down the fat neck with 12s on - all well worth it - highly recommend.

 

[mudface]

I mentioned back in January in this thread that I was very interested in this guitar....... and 11 months later I would win one of these in the MLP giveaway....

So this thread is now more relevant than ever.... How cool..

 

[Lloyd_m]

I mentioned back in January in this thread that I was very interested in this guitar....... and 11 months later I would win one of these in the MLP giveaway....

So this thread is now more relevant than ever.... How cool..

Are you serious?! Dayum, that's amazing luck! They're really great guitars.

 

[mudface]

Are you serious?! Dayum, that's amazing luck! They're really great guitars.

Yup..... @admin1 PM the message Wednesday that I won the MLP Jr giveaway..... I have many Gibsons but never had a Junior through 40 years of buying guitars... so I guess it is about time.... Here is a family pic of what Gibbys I have now.

 

[Lloyd_m]

Yeah, definitely time for a Junior! Nice collection

 

[mudface]

Yeah, definitely time for a Junior! Nice collection

Thank you

 

[Plexi70]

For any owners who have upgraded their Jr to a Wolfetone Meaner - swapping out the A2s for Throbak A4s really brings the tone back towards stock with a tight and deep A5 low-end authority but without the fizz and boominess that I recall from the stock P90. The A4s also have well balanced mids and a softer high-end than the A5s. The Meaner is plain awesome; the A4s are very sweet, harmonic, musical and are a great blend of these two magnets; the output seems a tad higher as well. The true test for me was how the tone cleaned up as the stock seemed a bit sterile and this is where the A2s shined. The A4s have a nice warmth that the A5s lack as heard with Pyramid Nickel Classic round core 12-54 strings.