“Make everything as simple as possible, but no simpler” - Albert Einstein. The most popular guitar of the 1950s in the Gibson Catalogue was the Les Paul Jr, which hit the mark with bare bones appointments and golden era Gibson quality to provide a stripped back Les Paul with exceptional sound, build quality and playability.   

The Les Paul Jr hit the market in 1954 as a single pickup, single cutaway model. It was available in two colours: TV Yellow and Cherry Red. The early TV Yellow models had a shorter, 22 5/8” scale length, while the cherry models had the standard Les Paul 24 ¾” scale length. The Les Paul Jr was an answer to Fender’s highly successful Telecaster, which debuted as the broadcaster in 1950. The TV Yellow Les Paul Jr sharing the ‘television’ reference in the name, as well a similar shade of yellow – the concept being that bright guitars look good the black and white television.  

21,000 Les Paul Jrs were sold in their first run between 1954 and 1960 – making it the most popular Gibson guitar of the 1950s, contrasting with 5,596 Les Paul Standards made in the same time period.  

This '58 Les Paul Jr presents in excellent condition. It has had limited play in its life. The vibrant TV Yellow finish has beautiful horizontal checking in the nitro. According to vintage guitar expert Piers Crocker, this refinish may well have been a Gibson factory refin based on the quality of the work, although we have no definitive proof of this. In any case, the refinish looks to have been performed very early in this guitars life. The original tuners hold tune well, with the D tuning peg showing a slight bend, but still working perfectly. The dot inlay is missing between the 20th and 21st fret. 

This Jr has had a refret, so the frets show minimal wear. The neck is nice and straight with slight relief and plays effortlessly all the way up the neck. Electronics are original. The original bumble bee capacitor is in place with no signs of interference with the solder joints. This guitar has had one common modification/upgrade. There has been a replacement of the bridge to a ‘Mojo’ bridge, with the original bridge in the case, included in the sale. This is a necessary modification if you wish to use a plain G string (not common till the late 60s) while maintaining correct intonation. One other note is that there is a hole in the top horn where a strap button was once installed. 

With less material and lighter density of wood than standard Les Pauls, the Les Paul Jr has a spankyness and clarity similar to a telecaster, but with a thicker tone, due to the p90 pickup in the bridge. When driven hard the p90 really shines with its clear sparkly top end without any icepick highs. 

This is a great feeling, great sounding and excellent example of an authentic Gibson Les Paul Jr from the most highly regarded period of their incredible history.   

Specs: 

Scale length: 24 ¾" 

Fretboard Radius: 12” 

Action at 1st fret: 0.5mm 

Action at 12th fret: 1.75mm 

Nut Width: 42.77mm 

12 fret width: 52.93mm

Neck depth at 1st fret: 22.82mm

Neck depth at 12th fret: 24.84mm

Weight: 3.34kg / 7.37lb

Neck material: Mahogany

Fretboard material: Brazilian Rosewood 

Fretboard inlays: Pearl 

Body: Mahogany 

Body size at lower bout: 333mm 

Bridge Pickup: Gibson P90 

Tuners: Original Single Line Kluson Deluxe 

Pickguard: Tortoiseshell  

Bridge: Mojo wraparound (Original in case)

Electronics: Single volume, single tone  

Hardware: Nickel 

Case: Original Gibson 'Gator' HSC