Regular vs. historic juniors

[el84ster]

I just can't bring myself to pay the prices for an historic junior, so are the regular production jobbies good guitars too? Anyone with experience with the 2?

I know there are some differences, different fingerboard wood, etc. But can a killer USA junior be had?

 

[Texas Blues]

Yes. I've played many of both. Vintage too. Some of the historics and vintage were dogs and so also with the USA jrs. I found a faded that was a dog but with a proper setup, fret dress, and reworked nut, is now a monster. The stock p90 sounds killer in it too! I'd say it's just a matter of playing alot of them and finding the right one.

 

[Tom Wittrock]

I didn't know they reissued the SG Junior. :hmm

 

[bizzwriter]

I just can't bring myself to pay the prices for an historic junior, so are the regular production jobbies good guitars too? Anyone with experience with the 2?

I know there are some differences, different fingerboard wood, etc. But can a killer USA junior be had?

What's your budget? Vintage juniors with issues are getting stupid cheap. This '59 routed refin with an original alligator case just went for $2.6k.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230453038122&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[garywright]

I didn't know they reissued the SG Junior. :hmm

+1 ...but I'll take mine in pelham blue please

 

[Kris Ford]

I didn't know they reissued the SG Junior. :hmm

I caught that! A proper '61-'64 era SG Jr or even Les Paul Jr. in SG guise by the custom shop would be pretty sweet! Though with todays prices, you could probably get an original for a little more $...
Not a reissue in name, but there was a run of SG Jr.s-got mine from MF in 2006 for $649 shipped. One piece body, chunky neck, and lightweight. I added a RS pot and cap kit, real witchhat knobs and a clear bobbin P90. Although this is the "least desirable" model, I have no regrets. I prefer the wider width nut than the later sixties SGs. Here's a pic for S&G's...

As far as the OP, I always say, try before you buy! I myself am not a fan of the faded finish, but I'm sure there are some keepers out there. I'd probably go the Historic route for the neck and the closer to accurate details. Plus, the Bllie Joe Armstrong model may be an option as well.

 

[Gibsonian]

What's your budget? Vintage juniors with issues are getting stupid cheap. This '59 routed refin with an original alligator case just went for $2.6k.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230453038122&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Isn’t the last 1959 serial # in early 930000’s?

 

[el84ster]

THanks for he replys so far. MY budget is definitely below vintage. I'm not even willing to pay for the historic route. I do plan on upgrading with vintage electronics, so that should help. I just want to find some righteous wood (but around the USA production price).

I think trying before buying is great advice. There's a local guitar show coming up in a few months, I'll see if my cheap but killer jr. is there.

 

[Humbuck]

Just find a great historic and don't look back.

 

[Ham_Fist]

Best bang for the buck is the Billie Joe Armstrong sig, IMO. If I were buying a new-ish Jr, that's what I'd go with.

 

[68goldtop]

hi el84ster!

i had a couple of juniors lately...

a ´69 sg junior (on loan)
an ´01(ish) sg junior
an ´05 lp junior
an ´09 lp junior

i havn´t played a vintage lp junior, nor a custom-shop model, but besides the cheap paint-job and a bit awkward neck and set-up i´d have to say that the ´09 is probably the best-sounding of the 4 i´ve had.
it was cheap, so i feel inclined to invest a bit in a pro set-up, but the sound is right there.


cheers - 68.

 

[Jim Jones]

Try before you buy! I played a couple of the new non-Custom Shop Juniors that weighed a ton and looked awful. More pieces of wood in the bodies than a butcher block from IKEA. I don't like ebony fingerboards either.

I was of the same mind as you a few years ago (felt it wasn't worth the money for a Historic Junior), but I'm not anymore. I bought a Historic Special a couple summers back and it's a really great instrument.

That said, I've played some Historic Juniors I didn't think sounded as good as my Tokai so you really have to try in person or be prepared to flip something you don't like.

 

[DMB70]

I just picked up a Burny "TV Yellow" double cut jr for a little less than a new US production jr. Played it at practice this weekend & am very happy with it. I was in the same boat, wanted a yellow dbl cut jr for under a grand, Gibson just doesn't make one.

 

[bizzwriter]

I just picked up a Burny "TV Yellow" double cut jr for a little less than a new US production jr. Played it at practice this weekend & am very happy with it.

Good point. Check out the '90s Japan-built Orville by Gibson (or Burny or Tokai or Greco) Jr.s -- great guitars for not much money. Here's an example (I'm not affiliated with the auction):

http://cgi.ebay.com/TOKAI-Love-Rock...QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item2559940054

 

[Dharmajester]

I've owned four different mid to late 50's juniors and specials in the past and also a couple of mid 70's specials which were not very special at all. I now have a 2001 historic faded cherry doublecut which I must say is the the best player out of all of them. Maybe not quite as honky sounding as the 50's models but way better than adequate.
I've played a couple of current issue non historics in music stores and not been that impressed but as Texas Blues stated above play a load of different ones cos there's always a good one lurking round the corner...

 

[el84ster]

Hmm, all good food for thought....

 

[DMB70]

Good point. Check out the '90s Japan-built Orville by Gibson (or Burny or Tokai or Greco) Jr.s -- great guitars for not much money. Here's an example (I'm not affiliated with the auction):

http://cgi.ebay.com/TOKAI-Love-Rock...QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item2559940054

That ones been off & on ebay a few times recently. Almost bought it myself, but the tummy cut & sanded neck kept me away. The high end Edwards are probably closer to Gibson spec, transparent/limed finish like a Gibson & nitro finish, I believe they have Duncan pick ups as well. I almost pulled the trigger on one a few weeks ago, but it ended up selling in the $900 range & that was more than I was looking to spend.

This is the one I picked up, swapped out the turners & gold volume/tone knobs for some white/black historic ones respectively & will be upgrading the pots as the taper on these suck. Nice sounding guitar. As I said I'd just as soon give my money to Gibson, a US manufacturing CO, but they don't make this model at this price point.

 

[zombiwoof]

Best bang for the buck is the Billie Joe Armstrong sig, IMO. If I were buying a new-ish Jr, that's what I'd go with.

If you like the slim taper neck profile, which I don't!

Al

 

[bucklerash]

I think the Historic Jrs and Specials are a great deal when buying used. I've bought several in the $1200-$1500 range. Not a good guitar to buy new if you think you might have to sell!