'60 jr w/issues - thoughts?

[DaveSG]

Looking at some of these old Jrs has peaked my interest in them. About a year ago I remember seeing one at a GC for about $13k. I didn't know that the prices have come down so much on these...its fun because guitars that used to be way out of range are now a little bit closer to being affordable.

Anyway, here is a 1960 Les Paul Jr. with some issues (ok, a LOT of issues)-

http://www.williesguitars.com/index.cfm/gibson_electrics/3/inventory/7

Refin, control cavity and pickup route filled, non-original tuners and electronics. Basically nothing original lol.

I like a good 'dog' because its cheaper and I'm a lefty, so I don't feel as bad about changing a nut or a few parts around.

I don't know much about these guitars, but does this look like a fair asking price? If I'm in the market for a beater Jr, should I hold out for one thats cheaper?

Also, regarding intonation - I would be flipping the guitar around, which of course with the standard wrap around would jack up the intonation. Does anyone know if a Badass bridge would have enough adjustment room in the saddles and the post slots to work with reversing the angle? Or, since its already a beater, would reverse drilling the post holes be a desperate option?

Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[DaveSG]

One other question -

If one was to purchase a 'player' jr like this w/ non-original electronics, how much could one expect to pay to return the electronics to original (original p90, wiring harness, etc) ?

I'm a fan of sounding good on the cheap

 

[j45]

Having to flip the guitar to lefty might be too much to ask of a Badass. The electronics and p/u should be around $500 or under IMO. Your attitude will eventually let you find an amazing vintage player "on the cheap" as you say. This may not be the one but there will be plenty of opportunties for someone looking for a player and not concerned with "investment/collectable" issues.

 

[blueguitar]

Please don´t consider me an expert on anything vintage GIBSON, I just made my observations over the years, still learning. But: issues or not, if there is only one thing left original on that guitar (e.g. = the wood?) I would go grab it for that price before someone else does. Here, at least, you KNOW of the issues...
LPPete
edit: that´s 1790 € with us, never seen such a price here on old wood...you MIGHT get a f@$ked up Norlin for that money...

 

[27sauce]

For that price I think you could do better, like having at least the original finish OR original electronics, not missing both.

Should cost around 300-400 to get the electronics back to period, maybe less.
For instance, I just bought a 50's pickup for $125.

 

[A. Warren]

i think that would be a fair deal to me.

 

[sharq attaq]

I would personally not be even remotely tempted to buy that guitar at that price.
But that's me....

 

[blueguitar]

I would personally not be even remotely tempted to buy that guitar at that price...

Hehe, I get it, I just suppose you are a little bit spoiled there, over the pond...

LPPete

 

[Jumping@Shadows]

For that kind of money, i'd find an 'issues' original finish '59/60 single cut Melody Maker and slap a vintage P-90 in there. I was after a Junior/Special a couple of years ago, and bought a 59 MM twin pickup carcass off ebay for under $500, some '52 P-90s and clutch of repro parts, and had a killer lightweight old wood Junior-alike.. I know a lot of forum members have gone a similar route with similar success..:salude

 

[renderit]

The Badass should work. I have one on mine and it is adjusted parallel to the pickup for right hand and all of the saddles are fine. I have no intention of keeping it on there, I just put it on as an experiment and have not taken it off yet.

 

[Genegsd]

Your attitude will eventually let you find an amazing vintage player "on the cheap" as you say. This may not be the one but there will be plenty of opportunties for someone looking for a player and not concerned with "investment/collectable" issues.

Good advice. My personal preference would be to go with a good refin instead of a pro repaired break - but I think that goes against the grain of many more experienced people here.

If it were me, I'd obviously try to negotiate the price down to around 2K and if it played well and looked real solid I'd be happy with the deal.

Possibly try to trade into it - partial as well.

 

[DaveSG]

Thanks for all the responses..

You know, I'm okay with broken headstock , even a well repaired broken neck, wear, etc.

Probably the unoriginal finish is what is killing the deal for me on this one, and the mention of a hum route...I like the idea of that long neck tenon being undisturbed

Im looking for that guitar that has been nearly beat to death and could tell some stories.

When I was a kid, I lived down the road from the guitar player of The Beat Farmers, a well loved local hick/country/rock band. I was friends with his son.

One day, I'm over, and he knew I played guitar, so he asked if I wanted to see his dads guitar. We went to the garage, and he pulled out this old ratty case. He opened it up, and I got to witness the most beat to hell 195x Les Paul Special TV I've ever seen. It not only had finish checking across the entire guitar, but each crack turned into a ridge of finish wear from all the beer, smoke, and sweat that it had encountered over the years. There was an old gibson headstock, cut off at around the nut, hanging in the garage. I asked "What is that?" and he told me that used to be the headstock of this guitar lol. At one gig, they got a little crazy, and apparently the guitar got rammed into something and broke the headstock off. The had to fabricate a new one from it, but if you just looked at the guitar you'd never be able to tell since it was just as beat to hell as the rest of it. I loved that guitar from the moment I saw it. So much wear, tear, and character. There is little chance of me getting in contact with him again, but if I ever did, the first two questions I would ask is, "You still have that old ratty Special?", quickly followed up with, "And if so, would you ever sell it? I beg you!" :hee

That is the kind of guitar I'm looking for. Good news is that those tend to be the cheaper ones:rofl

 

[Genegsd]

At $2,500 with issues you don't want, it seems like you won't regret passing this one by - I also don't like the HB rout at that price (or any price - refins don't bother me).

The April 09 issue of the Tonequest Report had a story by Nathanial Riverhorse - he bought a broken (and repaired) , stripped of all parts 55 Junior off E-Bay (it also was singed by a house fire). He got original parts from some of the guys that post here and if I read it correctly, hes into the guitar for $1,200.

Good luck with your search.

 

[Henk]

So your lefthanded and seriously considering buying an old righthanded piece of wood for 2,5k?

Keep searching IMHO.

 

[sharq attaq]

Hehe, I get it, I just suppose you are a little bit spoiled there, over the pond...

LPPete

I don't get your meaning. You reckon we have vintage guitars around the corner at each convenience store?

I'm saying that guitar is basically just old wood with nothing else going for it. It doesn't interest me in the least. That's all.
And if it was a lefty (which is not what I play), it would interest me even less.