The Mojo of a Vintage Les Paul Jr.

[Juniors]

I tried a boutique Junior today and compared it to my Gibson 1960 Les Paul Junior. On first listen, the Junior seemed to have a thicket, hotter and much boomier tone. What is it about early Juniors that gives them such a roar? Is it the electronics? Is it the pickup? Which specific components contribute to this? Are these parts no longer available for high-end guitars? I'm curious why vintage guitars seem to have such a superior sound.

Also, is there any modern guitar that comes close?

 

[brandtkronholm]

I tried a boutique Junior today and compared it to my Gibson 1960 Les Paul Junior. On first listen, the Junior seemed to have a thicket, hotter and much boomier tone. What is it about early Juniors that gives them such a roar? Is it the electronics? Is it the pickup? Which specific components contribute to this? Are these parts no longer available for high-end guitars? I'm curious why vintage guitars seem to have such a superior sound.

Also, is there any modern guitar that comes close?

Yup the old ones have a magic that is hard to replicate. But if you plays enough of the new reissues, I think you’ll find a few that really have the sound and feel.

It’s not one thing that gives the old ones their sound and feel. It’s the sum of all the parts.

 

[thin sissy]

Yeah, vintage Jr's really have something special. Everything just came together right.

But newer ones are consistently great as well, in my experience. But there is "something" on the vintage ones that hasn't been quite there on any new one I've tried. Maybe it's the pickup? Who knows, but I'm glad Jr's are getting the recognition they deserve today.

 

[longrichard]

The new ones can be great when they aren't "mahoganized"

 

[Juniors]

Yup the old ones have a magic that is hard to replicate. But if you plays enough of the new reissues, I think you’ll find a few that really have the sound and feel.

It’s not one thing that gives the old ones their sound and feel. It’s the sum of all the parts.

Do you have a favorite reissue?

 

[Juniors]

Yeah, vintage Jr's really have something special. Everything just came together right.

But newer ones are consistently great as well, in my experience. But there is "something" on the vintage ones that hasn't been quite there on any new one I've tried. Maybe it's the pickup? Who knows, but I'm glad Jr's are getting the recognition they deserve today.

I took my 1960 to a great tech and he said the pickups are wired “hot” and mine and said it’s exactly what people looking for a Junior are looking for. Do you have a particular favorite in terms of newer models?

 

[gary buff]

I took my 1960 to a great tech and he said the pickups are wired “hot” and mine and said it’s exactly what people looking for a Junior are looking for. Do you have a particular favorite in terms of newer models?

Not sure what he means by "wired hot" but on an old Fender Esquire the pickup is wired through the volume control and bypasses the tone control making it sound hotter and bitier than a Tele. I know that's not the case with a LP Jr. Maybe he means the pickup itself is overwound internally?

 

[Juniors]

Not sure what he means by "wired hot" but on an old Fender Esquire the pickup is wired through the volume control and bypasses the tone control making it sound hotter and bitier than a Tele. I know that's not the case with a LP Jr. Maybe he means the pickup itself is overwound internally?

I believe he meant that these pickups have output that is closer to a Les Paul.

 

[Cliff Gress]

The new ones can be great when they aren't "mahoganized"

You lost me.

 

[ScumbackSpeakers]

I've got a 59 Jr. The pickup measures 10.26k using a multi meter and a guitar cable going through the vol/tone pots. So it's likely closer to 10.5k. It has a pretty massive sound. Jim Wagner used it as the basis for his G90 pickups, with the neck measuring around 8.4k. I've got that set in three of my SG's as well.

 

[Juniors]

I've got a 59 Jr. The pickup measures 10.26k using a multi meter and a guitar cable going through the vol/tone pots. So it's likely closer to 10.5k. It has a pretty massive sound. Jim Wagner used it as the basis for his G90 pickups, with the neck measuring around 8.4k. I've got that set in three of my SG's as well.

As a non technical guitar person - are newer P90s less than 10.5k which makes them a bit less massive?

 

[gary buff]

As a non technical guitar person - are newer P90s less than 10.5k which makes them a bit less massive?

On Gibson's site they show the standard P90 at 8k, about what a PAF would be.

https://www.gibson.com/en-US/p/Pickup/PU90DEBC2/PU90DEBC2

 

[longrichard]

You lost me.

The new guitars have to be "dipped".

That's my grandson's job at the factory.

 

[Juniors]

On Gibson's site they show the standard P90 at 8k, about what a PAF would be.

https://www.gibson.com/en-US/p/Pickup/PU90DEBC2/PU90DEBC2

That makes sense. Thank you.

 

[ScumbackSpeakers]

As a non technical guitar person - are newer P90s less than 10.5k which makes them a bit less massive?

IMO, yes. I've got other P90 style Les Pauls and SG's. Once I tried the G90 from Jim Wagner, they all sound anemic. They're even in my 61 SG Special.

 

[Juniors]

IMO, yes. I've got other P90 style Les Pauls and SG's. Once I tried the G90 from Jim Wagner, they all sound anemic. They're even in my 61 SG Special.

Man - I wish I had more time to mess with working in these things. I barely squeeze in time to play them.

 

[thin sissy]

Just a note on DC resistance on pickups, they don't tell the whole story. My 57 Jr measures about 7,4 kOhm (on the output jack). That might make you think it's a weak pickup, but NO. It's more powerful than most humbuckers I've had. But it is still super clear with a light touch or the volume down a bit

It's a combo of magnet, winding, the guitar and pots IMO

 

[Cliff Gress]

The new guitars have to be "dipped".

That's my grandson's job at the factory.

Again, I'm lost.

 

[Norton]

Again, I'm lost.

Troll account. Ignore it.

 

[delawaregold]

Oh no, please don't make me post this again!
Oh well, if you insist...

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