Gibson Les Paul Junior 1960, Cherry

Les Paul Juniors, especially double cuts like this 1960 example, are finally having their day in the light after many years of being overlooked. The single 7.6k pickup sits near (yet clear) to the strings in the bridge position and create a powerful sound that's straight rock and roll; if the pickup were any hotter, it wouldn't find this perfect balance. The Golden era Les Pauls are famed for the way their red dyes fade out, and aesthetically speaking, this one may be the most tastefully naturally bursted example we have seen. The transition between the cherry to oxidized/faded areas of playwear and body contact create quite the scene. This guitar was played often over its lifetime, but without any luthier adjustment/modification or change of strings. It was thickly coated in nicotine that further stained the playwear areas; this surface grime has since been cleaned (also leaving it odor free). A couple of cord burns accent the horn areas on the beautifully figured back. A recent refret and swap of the bridge for an intonated music city bridge lends to a very fine playing example. The slimmer neck and wrap tail bridge lend to maximum resonance and sustain for this model. Juniors have a lot of personality, roll back the tone knob and you alter the aggressiveness. But if you turn it up, you will take lead.