1956 Gibson Les Paul Junior, Sunburst

A sure-fire candidate for the coolest looking Junior around?! This is a wonderfully worn and characterful example of Gibson’s most direct and uncompromising solidbody design. Very much in the 'player-grade' category but with good wood - break and repair free! Finished in sunburst, the lacquer shows honest wear throughout and reacts correctly under blacklight, with no signs of overspray or later refinishing. Built with a single-piece mahogany body and neck, it has all of the resonance and punch this model is famous for.

The neck is a particular highlight here, carved to a soft V profile that feels substantial yet comfortable in the hand, and pairs beautifully with the unbound rosewood fingerboard and dot inlays. At just 3.02kg, it’s lively and resonant, with that unmistakable immediacy that only a slab-body Junior delivers.

Electronics are centred around a single P-90 pickup, controlled by straightforward volume and tone controls. All components have been changed over the years: the volume pot and capacitor, knobs, tuners, wraparound bridge and studs (now chrome) and a rewound P90 pickup. The headstock bears the original Gibson logo and an unusual/non-original Les Paul decal on the headstock in place of the original silkscreen.

Cosmetically, this Junior is worn but undeniably cool, with the sort of patina that only decades of use can produce. It comes complete with its original croc-style card case, which is a lovely period touch and increasingly rare in its own right.

In terms of tone and feel, this guitar delivers exactly what you’d hope for: a great neck, strong acoustic response, and a raw, direct P-90 voice that’s dynamic, punchy and full of attitude.

A superb player’s ’50s Junior with real vintage mojo, ideal for someone looking for a golden era Les Paul on a budget with great bones and potential for improvement originality wise.