Vintage Gibson Les Paul Jr TV Yellow - USA 1956

The Gibson Les Paul Junior is a solid body electric guitar that was first introduced in 1954. It was designed as an affordable, entry-level model in the Les Paul series, targeted towards students and beginners. Despite its initial conception as a budget-friendly option, the Les Paul Junior quickly gained popularity among professional musicians for its straightforward design, robust build, and powerful sound.

The Les Paul Junior was part of Gibson's strategy to expand its electric guitar lineup in the 1950s. At the time, the company was competing with Fender's Telecaster and Stratocaster models, which were gaining in popularity. The Junior offered a simple yet effective design:

Single Cutaway Body: Initially, it featured a single-cutaway body, which was made from mahogany. The simplicity of the design helped to keep production costs low.

Single P-90 Pickup: Unlike the more expensive models in the Les Paul line, the Junior was equipped with a single P-90 pickup. This high-output, single-coil pickup contributed to the guitar's distinctively crisp yet full-bodied sound.

Despite its initial positioning as an instrument for beginners, the Les Paul Junior has been used by numerous legendary guitarists across various music genres, from rock to blues to punk. Its raw, powerful sound made it a favourite among musicians such as John Lennon, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, and Leslie West of Mountain. The guitar's affordability and simplicity, coupled with its high-quality tone, made it a practical choice for touring musicians.

This Gibson Les Paul Junior from 1956 is in an astonishing state of preservation, maintaining all of its original components without any modifications. Finished in the iconic TV Yellow, a colour that not only stands out visually but also has a rich history tied to its visibility on black-and-white television broadcasts, this guitar showcases its original frets and machine heads, a testament to its careful handling and preservation over the years. 

Remarkably, it has undergone no breaks, repairs, or alterations of any kind, preserving its authenticity and historical value. It is accompanied by its original Gibson alligator case, further enhancing its appeal to collectors. This instrument truly qualifies as collector-grade, representing a rare opportunity to own a piece of musical history in its purest form.

Specs:

Scale length: 24 3/4"

Action at 1st fret: 0.5mm

Action at 12th fret: 1.75mm

Neck depth at 1st fret: 23.46mm 

Neck depth at 12th fret: 25.92mm

Nut Width: 42.78mm 

12 fret width: 52.72mm

Weight: 2.95kg / 6.5lb

Set mahogany neck

16/22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays

Three-per-side tuners with white oval plastic buttons

Combination bar bridge/tailpiece

Tortoiseshell pickguard

Single P-90 coil pickup

Two controls (volume, tone)

Nickel hardware

Original TV Yellow finish