NGD: an oddly yellow sunburst 1957 Les Paul Junior

[Icandrive55]

When I sought out a 50's Junior, I did not think I would end up with one that looks like this! It was hard to tell from the listing photos what the color would be like. I've seen other black to yellow bursts, but none quite like this. My camera has a hard time capturing it. It looks almost like a muted chartreuse in person. It doesn't look as modern as it does in photos.

I put the Mojoaxe on there to preserve the original bridge. And I am going to swap out the Grover's for the correct vintage Kluson's. The ground wire was also broken in the control cavity. So nothing too serious to deal with. It plays phenomenally and sounds massive. I am quite thrilled I ended up with this one.

 

[jb_abides]

Congrats, nice one.

... almost has that BB King Regal Argentine Grey look to it.

 

[Cody]

That’s not a ‘50s Jr.

My guess is late ‘80s or so.

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

When I sought out a 50's Junior, I did not think I would end up with one that looks like this! It was hard to tell from the listing photos what the color would be like. I've seen other black to yellow bursts, but none quite like this. My camera has a hard time capturing it. It looks almost like a muted chartreuse in person. It doesn't look as modern as it does in photos.

I put the Mojoaxe on there to preserve the original bridge. And I am going to swap out the Grover's for the correct vintage Kluson's. The ground wire was also broken in the control cavity. So nothing too serious to deal with. It plays phenomenally and sounds massive. I am quite thrilled I ended up with this one.
View attachment 26880

Both gorgeous, but that Bigsby fitted Special speaks to my heart more . I've been thinking about putting a B5 with a Vibromate on my own P90 Special for a while now.

 

[Icandrive55]

That’s not a ‘50s Jr.

My guess is late ‘80s or so.

Those had stop tails, recessed serial #, stock Grover's etc. This has the correct stamped serial, correct pots/bumblebee cap/pickup wire, and Brazilian fretboard. And it has the plugged holes from the original Kluson's. There are '55s and '57's that have black/yellow bursts. It's just not as common.

 

[Icandrive55]

Both gorgeous, but that Bigsby fitted Special speaks to my heart more . I've been thinking about putting a B5 with a Vibromate on my own P90 Special for a while now.

I agree! That Special is my #1. And I don't see that ever changing. It's a stunner.

So yes, I definitely approve of a Bigsby on a Special! But why not a B7?

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

I agree! That Special is my #1. And I don't see that ever changing. It's a stunner.

So yes, I definitely approve of a Bigsby on a Special! But why not a B7?

View attachment 26881

I have a black B7 I put on my Alpine White Studio with Ebony fretboard loaded with a TV Jones SuperTron at the neck, and a Gibson Tarback at the bridge. The tuners, roller bridge, nut, black speed knobs and black B7 look sexy af on that guitar.

I have had B5's I put on a SG Custom and Explorer.

Personally I like B5's more appearance wise on most solid body guitars, and only use B7's on carved or archtop guitars where you need the tailpin stud to keep them stable. Otoh an archtop or semi-hollow or hollow body just wouldn't look right with a B5 to me even if they were a feasible option.

 

[Cody]

Those had stop tails, recessed serial #, stock Grover's etc. This has the correct stamped serial, correct pots/bumblebee cap/pickup wire, and Brazilian fretboard. And it has the plugged holes from the original Kluson's. There are '55s and '57's that have black/yellow bursts. It's just not as common.

How many 50s Jrs have pearl logos with a square, closed O?

 

[Icandrive55]

How many 50s Jrs have pearl logos with a square, closed O?

You are right about that. That was part of a headstock repair that they did incorrectly.

 

[garywright]

interesting aging …you might want to post more detailed pix of that junior

 

[GlassSnuff]

It's hard to judge color from a photograph sent to a computer, but that looks just like the burst on our '59 Melody Maker.

 

[Icandrive55]

It's hard to judge color from a photograph sent to a computer, but that looks just like the burst on our '59 Melody Maker.

It's funny you that. I have a '59 Melody Maker. The finish feels just like that guitar. It has a slightly thicker base coat. I have two Epiphone Olympics with the same kind of finish and checking. It's not as thin and flaky as the finish on my '63 Jaguar.

And yes.. this color does not show up right on photos at all. It's one of those weird colors that my camera can't quite capture. It is more muted and slightly green in person. It's not so vibrant looking.

The previous owner was pretty overzealous about filling in dings and scratches. So there's filler and touch ups along the neck. And some overspray. I wish they hadn't done it to that degree but it was priced accordingly. My '55 Special also has a headstock repair. But it was left untouched otherwise, which I prefer. For me, this was a cool and unique player at a reasonable price. It's not a collector's piece by any means.

 

[Bruce R]

I like it!! Enjoy this fine 50s Les Paul.

 

[buyusfear]

I’m not entirely convinced about the finish being original to be honest.
Just my 2cents. But the checking pattern and character of checking just looks highly suspicious to me; before reading anything, my first reaction was poor refin with some original parts. The checking looks very much like razor checking. Especially where you see checking lines crossing over/intersecting other lines. It just doesn’t happen like that naturally.

Then we add in the abnormally anemic color, non original parts, etc.
If it was priced accordingly then yes, killer players piece indeed.
Any chance of a serial or partial serial number shot?

 

[Jumping@Shadows]

I’m not entirely convinced about the finish being original to be honest.
Just my 2cents. But the checking pattern and character of checking just looks highly suspicious to me; before reading anything, my first reaction was poor refin with some original parts. The checking looks very much like razor checking. Especially where you see checking lines crossing over/intersecting other lines. It just doesn’t happen like that naturally.

Then we add in the abnormally anemic color, non original parts, etc.
If it was priced accordingly then yes, killer players piece indeed.
Any chance of a serial or partial serial number shot?

I second this- obvious razor checking, weird sunburst shade, and yellow basecoat with no ‘bleeding’ of the pore filler, as well as the oddball ‘80s headstock logo as noted. I’d say a full refin with crude ageing.

 

[Icandrive55]

I second this- obvious razor checking, weird sunburst shade, and yellow basecoat with no ‘bleeding’ of the pore filler, as well as the oddball ‘80s headstock logo as noted. I’d say a full refin with crude ageing.

Yeah... I am on the same page. I think having purchased it, that clouded my judgment for a couple of days. But it's obviously been refinished. I'm pretty certain it was done at the same time as the headstock repair. I'll be deciding this weekend wether it's staying or going back.

 

[Mark]

Those had stop tails, recessed serial #, stock Grover's etc. This has the correct stamped serial, correct pots/bumblebee cap/pickup wire, and Brazilian fretboard. And it has the plugged holes from the original Kluson's. There are '55s and '57's that have black/yellow bursts. It's just not as common.

I had a 57 with that same color

 

[poor man's burst]

100% razor checked.

 

[Icandrive55]

The guitar is going back... Besides the refin, there are other issues which essentially make it impossible to authenticate. The serial # was re-done and the electronics were taken out. So there's nothing left that can actually prove for certain it's a 1957. I believe the fretboard was replaced as well. It's basically a parts guitar as far as the market is concerned.

For my first vintage Junior, it just feels wrong to keep something that can't even be proven to be a '57. I would rather spend more for something where that's not in question.

 

[Icandrive55]

(my last message posted twice by accident)