Seriously considering taking the plunge on this ‘56 Jr

[bstorm]

Looking for considerations from forum members better versed than I.

Gibson Les Paul Junior 1954 - 1959 | Reverb

Starting in 1954, Gibson offered players a simple, affordable take on the Les Paul dubbed the Les Paul Junior. This bare-bones solidbody featured one dog-eared P-90 pickup, a stud-mounted bridge, an unbound Rosewood fingerboard, and slab Mahogany body (though some early examples which can also be...

reverb.com

headstock overspray looks a little clunky but the chewed up body is right up my alley. (Looking for well used and something that I won’t be afraid to play and us

Do you see any glaring red flags? Intent to purchase would probably be dependent on a lower accepted offer - say 15% lower

 

[53Goldtop]

If it were me I'd spend a few more bucks and get original pickup and caps.

 

[brandtkronholm]

No red flags - but it has nearly no original parts.
Mojo is one thing but the patina + wear is a little extreme on this one.
I think it's too expensive by about $2K or so.

 

[bstorm]

No red flags - but it has nearly no original parts.
Mojo is one thing but the patina + wear is a little extreme on this one.
I think it's too expensive by about $2K or so.

Makes sense. To each their own for sure but maybe I just needed to hear that from someone else instead of only in the back of my mind!

 

[DutchRay]

I might be biased because I've been in the guitar business since 1990 but here's my view:
At that price, I'd pass. It's probably a killer guitar but with the worn finish and non-original parts it is priced too high, even with extra 15% off. Obviously it isn't selling since the price already dropped 22%.
But like anything GAS related, if you want it, you want it...

 

[guitartsar]

Looking for considerations from forum members better versed than I.

Gibson Les Paul Junior 1954 - 1959 | Reverb

Starting in 1954, Gibson offered players a simple, affordable take on the Les Paul dubbed the Les Paul Junior. This bare-bones solidbody featured one dog-eared P-90 pickup, a stud-mounted bridge, an unbound Rosewood fingerboard, and slab Mahogany body (though some early examples which can also be...

reverb.com

headstock overspray looks a little clunky but the chewed up body is right up my alley. (Looking for well used and something that I won’t be afraid to play and us

Do you see any glaring red flags? Intent to purchase would probably be dependent on a lower accepted offer - say 15% lower

If it were me I’d wait for the right guitar to come along. Personally the extreme wear and lack of original parts makes it seem too expensive. The headstock face in particular will make it hard to sell in the future.
I waited and ended up with a great all original 1960 Junior at the right price.
Good luck with the search!

 

[AA00475Bassman]

No vintage electric's = Historic

Hunting parts can be frustrating & expensive ! Today 6500.00 will buy a nice bone stock 56 I know of .

 

[buyusfear]

Two piece body!
My ‘56 Jr is also a two piece.
I think this one is pretty cool. Hard to fake wear like that. I’ve tried.

 

[bstorm]

No vintage electric's = Historic

Hunting parts can be frustrating & expensive ! Today 6500.00 will buy a nice bone stock 56 I know of .

Agreed trying to piece together a "LesCaster" would have me way in over this thing's worth. I'm leaning with the crowd here on holding off for something a little more intact, albeit maybe with a well repaired neck break or old refin to bring me back down to the 4-5K range. These things are gorgeous and I have the bug after playing my friend's 58'.

I prefer TV yellow but the prices for the single cut single pickup yellows are outrageous right now! I'd gladly 'settle' for a more common burst.

 

[agogetr]

Agreed trying to piece together a "LesCaster" would have me way in over this thing's worth. I'm leaning with the crowd here on holding off for something a little more intact, albeit maybe with a well repaired neck break or old refin to bring me back down to the 4-5K range. These things are gorgeous and I have the bug after playing my friend's 58'.

I prefer TV yellow but the prices for the single cut single pickup yellows are outrageous right now! I'd gladly 'settle' for a more common burst.

they made thousands and thousands of juniors , yours will come along.i passed on an all stock 56 a few months ago for 4500, i didnt want to drive the 600 mile round trip..and i,m already set on juniors. best one being a super faded 1960. juniors might be the best deal on the vintage market.. and melody makers.. love those! i snagged my melody makers for around 500 a piece when ebay was young. my esnipe was an old school clock hanging on the wall with the seconds hand ticking away,id wait till the last 7 seconds and hit the button.
ive also bought guitars in almost all the big box parking lots, i was thinking about it the other day.. walmart, safeway, albertsons, fred meyers, bimart, harbor freight, also tacobell, mcdonalds. applebees. in front of guitar center a few times,one time i bought a 63 fender jaguar walking out of my bank in the parkinglot for $275 i ran into him and he remembered me but i didnt remember him. $275! the deal took five minutes. pop an add on craigslist in a city you will find your junior.

 

[sunburst1]

Way , way overpriced. Just sold a really clean , org. '57 for a bit over 6k , yeah could have made/asked a bit more , but oh well...

Jr's have gone back up in price , don't think many folks are paying anywhere near those very high asking prices , IMO,OMMV.

8K - 10K is not worth the money for any 50's Jr. , maybe a TV model , but not a sunburst or cherry example .

 

[herbie74w]

Before the last vintage bust sunburst juniors would go for over 10k. It’s hard for me to think any guitar is worth over 10k.