We have another new backing track! Let me know what you think of a single pickup guitar and if you think it's all you really need? I have a shootout coming up with my TV Yellow LP Special coming soon. 😁🎸 ► Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/GaBbB ► Thomann - bit.ly/3jM7T9A ► Sky Music - alnk.to/31loQo0 0:00 - Jam Track 2:24 - Guitar Overview 4:46 - Guitar Tones 9:50 - Final Thoughts
P90s are really great pickups. I think you have to go through the single coil -> humbucker -> P90 journey to appreciate them the most. My Epi Riviera P93 is the most versatile guitar I own. I can get any tone I want out of it. Take the metal covers off and it will improve the tone.
I picked up one of these about a year or two in the US when they came out. -In left handed! The guitar was so factory fresh I could still smell the nitro curing everytime I opened the case for about a month. Still really liking this instrument.
Yes the 2018 lefty model LPjr is an incredible guitar I purchased one myself...It’s a lone beast! Is this a new 2020? I hope to see the double cutaway on lefty soon...
This video taught me something. I am not ashamed to admit that in all my years of playing I only used the tone control on the neck pickup. I just realized that different woman tones can be done with the bridge. Awesome!
I can hear the strings pinging behind the nut at 5:12 . A trick is to put foam under the strings to deaden the ping. It makes the strings feel a tiny bit tighter.
And your attack, and where you pick the strings, and and and. These guitars are a life-long lesson in coaxing tone from a guitar. I absolutely adore mine, particularly through a single-channel, cranked amp.
Wouldn’t a special do the same? You can do the same thing with the bridge as you could a junior, but you have an additional neck pickup to do the same with and get tons more tones?
@@mikezschoche1881 absolutely, but there is actually a difference. It has a bit more bite and warmth wired with just a single pup than it would be with both. It also forces you to only use one aspect, to let you practice “getting the most of what you have”.
@jeebus yaWeirdo ...as YOGI BERRA used to say about Baseball..."psychology (of the game) is 90% mental! (LOL!) - apply that here,@,..yeah, one P-90 ONLY!, w/masterful TONE@, and VOLUME@..shaping - affects your entire approach to the music...but then SO DOES one less electro-magnetic field from a 2nd pickup, messing with string vibration and affecting the nano-pulsing of the electro vibration of the molecules! ergo: Leslie West *Mountain!) - figured this out intuitively!..as has Charlie Starr! (Blueberry Smoke!) - that's the BEAUTY OF GIBSON! THEY USED A SIMPLE!, STRAIGHTFORWARD! ICONIC DESIGN! TO RE-DEFINE PHYSICS! (With a little help from CLAPTON!, PAGE! GREEN!!,BECK, IOMMI!, SLASH!, et al! And the rest is History!🌎
I'm hearing a lot of dynamics on your playing in this review. The one pickup configuration forces you to do that and it sounds amazing! It also helps if the guitar is well built and feels nice to play... Really enjoyed the playing on this one, thanks and cheers!
You can do a lot with an LP junior. They aren't a standard or custom, but nothing is. They still manage to produce some great rock and blues tones. I feel like they manage to clean up a little bit better than humbuckers which is nice when you are playing various songs and need to vary in your tone vocab while only able to use one 🎸
I bought a custom shop 57 jounior in tv yellow a month ago. So simple but so much fun to play. Chunky neck and the p90 packs a whallop. The tone and volume are super responsive. Great review.
I have a 1988 reissue, one P90, two-piece tunomatic bridge. I rediscovered the joys of simplicity and actually using the volume and tone controls as well as my hands/technique for tonal variation. My preferred instrument over my Standard and Studio models.
I should add that I bought mine new in 1988, so it's a keeper! They only made them between 1986 - 1992 with the tunomatic. The p/u is Gibson's own and just fine, though I have been checking out the range of P90's tested on UA-cam. The P90 is back in favour, it would seem, and there's a buzz around Juniors and Specials. Considering a trade involving my Studio and a Special, or possibly having a guy called Doug Wilkes - a brilliant luthier who makes the best necks on the planet - make me a Junior to accompany my Gibson one and my lovely Black Standard.
Simplicity can be a beautiful thing as this guitar shows. I do agree that you can get a nice variance of tones but.... I'm a 2 pup kinda guy. I love a nice pair..... It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
You finally getting the aditude of Muddy Waters. Simple, played very well through a good amp and recorded well is GOLD ! The tone is in the hands. Blues On....💙
My favourite type of guitar for a quick noodle instead of a strat where I keep flicking the switch it surely has its uses but this simple is a nice and simple thing 👍🏻
one good p90 in a slab of mahogany is all you need. The single pup has a different vibe/tone from a double hum/p90 guitar and even the dogear style makes a difference in tone from a soapbar.
Got a lefty LP Junior last month but noticed right away that the pots weren't reverse wound like they should be in a lefty guitar, called Gibson and they said someone at the factory installed right-handed pots by mistake and they would send me the correct ones. Now I have to take the Junior to Guitar Center to get them changed out under warranty. Otherwise it's a great guitar.
Sounds great Shane, am gassing for something LP at the moment. Would love to hear a comparison of this Jr with your TV Yellow special. I’d love Gibson to to a run of LP double cut wP90s for us Leftys... i’d be all over that
Nice demo! Got a Fret King DBC Signature LP Junior style guitar a couple of weeks ago. Having been a Strat style guitar player for 35 years I was surprised and must agree with you. Riding those controls really gives a lot of tonal variety. It also seems very responsive to touch sensitivity. Possibly due to the lesser magnetic influence without the other pickups. Granted, I bought it directly from Bucket since he is a friend of mine and this was one of two bespoke copies built for him and is superbly set up and feels amazing to play.
Great to see this. Always loved Jr's (HUGE Leslie West fan since '69) but never could afford one. Almost bought a promo Epi bolt on for like $79 when a GC opened nearby about 10 years ago. Did buy a recently released Epi TSB Jr a few months ago. Worth the wait. Set neck and Great. Easily the most dynamic guitar in my modest arsenal (3 Epis, 2 Ibz, 2 SQ, etc...)
Hey Shane, thanks for the review. Don't be embarrassed to go clean with it, it gets nice clean tones but it's more suited for indie or alternative tones than the other stuff, that's where it shines clean.
I was saving up for a LP DC cherry and I was about half way there. Things kept tapping my funds, so I decided to order an Eastman version, but the mom and pop shop wanted 1500 up front to order with unknown delivery date. This was just after CV19 . In fear of the shop folding and losing my money, I bought two HB LP's, one SC and one DC fat 50. The SC arrived in two weeks, but the DC was back ordered. It took 12 and a half weeks. The SC would not adjust low for acceptable playing. I had to buy an aftermarket bridge(musiclily) for about 15 bucks, well worth it, solved the problem very nicely and was better quality than stock. The Dc was set up very good out of the box, I haven't changed anything except pickup height. The location of the bridge was not centered equally on the strings, favoring the bass side by 1/8th of an inch(3mm) no easy fix. The pickup also was rattling around under the cover, but raising the poles lodged it in the cover until I add some foam under it. I was surprised at the versatility of both guitars and quickly grew to like both of them. On the DC it has a pull tone knob for P 90 /P100, both sound pretty good. The knob is very tapered and hard to get a hold of, I ordered some tele knobs for it. I would rather have a used Gibby but couldn't find the right deal.
You live and you learn. You should have got the Gibson Les Paul special double cut p90's Traditional model, I got one in cherry for $460 on big sale but I have seen them $549.00 before the sale I got mine at
@@AuntAlnico4 I didn't want one of the new models, I wanted a true to the original guitar. I have an Agile AD 2200 that is a very close copy and it's a great guitar, but two P 90's, not one. I have my reasons.
Cheers Shane - I think this might be my next forever guitar. I've had Gordon Smith Guitars in this config in the past but always fancied the Gibson. Guitarist Magazine did a great 1 pick up guitar comparison a few years back. The LP junior aced it. Neville Martin getting a faux acoustic guitar sound out of it.
I recently bought this (in black) and I gotta say I'm really loving it. My main guitar was an LP Standard (which I still have) and I thought I would really miss the neck pickup, but I don't. It's amazing how versatile this guitar is. If you own one, I hope you're enjoying it!
@@devanhansonmusic it’s great!! It has a lot of punch. Really enjoying the hell out of it. The neck is actually chunkier than my lp 50’s which is a nice bonus too. Did you get yours yet?
That's actually good to hear. I was just checking prices and both iterations in the original series can be had for a little more than the price of a CS.. I think the cs would smoke both, if anyone wants to weigh in on this I'd love to hear input.. now to decide between vintage sunburst and Tv Yellow with woodgrain showing through. 🤑
@@McDagger90 I love the sound of that!! Lol I was just arguing with myself about which one or just saying to heck with it n going Cs junior for less than price of owning both 😂 only problem is deciding between finishes
You should keep the Jr. I have a friend that has a 1957 Jr and that thing is amazing. The one control has so much sweep that its like there's a built in way pedal in the guitar. I love that thing.
Sounds great. I just played an open air Country-Rock-Americana band session for about three hours yesterday. I played a Strat, and used ALL pickup position as my sense of the music and moment requires. I can’t think of one gig as a guitarist I’ve ever done where a one pickup guitar would have suited me, or where I wouldn’t have dearly missed at least a second pickup option. One pickup guitars are great for some people. Just not for me.
I had an Epiphone LP Jr SC back in 2000. That guitar could do anything! I have jonesed for one ever since. Two years ago I had a chance to buy a new Hamer Special Jr. at a silly cheap price and I jumped on it! Because I cant leave well enough alone, I replace all of the electronics. CTS 500K vol, CTS 250K tone, Bumble bee 0.022 axial CAP wired 50's style meaning the cap is wired from the vol to the tone pot and finally Switchcraft output jack. I replaced the pickup with a Bare Knuckles Supermassive P90. I own some really fancy wow factor guitars but when I need a straight do it all guitar, the Jr is the go to guitar! Gibson got it right when they designed the single p90 guitars!
my favourite gibsons , I have a gordon smith (UK builder) loosely based on it which I love and is the only guitar that can tempt me away from my beloved tele ( bought for next to nothing squier)
I love this kind of guitar - that's why I own one! 😄 - Anyway, I find the action between strings and the P90 too high. The Dogear is not adjustable, so I decided to shape a silhouette of wood, to lift it enough to increase the sensitivity of the pickup to tone and especially to volume knob.
I just received mine, I can't put it down! I have owned a few real 1957's over the years and still own a 65' SG jr. I used to buy them for $100-200 all the time. Up until recently, the originals have skyrocketed in value. The Gibson has "it", the Epi's don't. Im sure the Epi's are good and all but this has the original feel and sound of an original. My advise is get one that has a very yellow middle and are not over 7 lbs. Those are the closest you'll get. Im a lefty as well and these are pretty easy to find so you can have your choice on them. No need for a custom shop, these are what you want as the Gibson USA. If there are imperfections, who cares thats the way they are.
Have always loved these. Godin makes a version. Both are awesome. Backing track is really good Shane. I need to do more up tempo practice and the tempo changes makes you think and react quickly. This should be tons of fun. Nice tone throughout.
It doesn't make much sense but for me simplicity is more fun. I haven't used the neck pickup in 30 years. If I see a Les Paul junior hanging next to a Les Paul Custom my eyes go to the Les Paul junior. They are just too cool.
Poly or nitro finish? If I didn't already have a JJN Epi Lester w its single dog-ear P90, I would be very interested in having one of these. Cool as hell.
Let's not forget Leslie west of mountain, Mississippi queen, he got sounds from a lp jr. That you shouldn't be able to hear, but your hands, and tone and volume can do a lot,
Great video man!! Agree with something already said... a single pickup works some of the greats, EVH, Charlie Christian, Charlie Star, Billy Gibbons (live anyway), etc. Hmmm, so maybe tone IS the player?? 🤙🏻🎸
Great guitar I love those things. It is the most eye-opening thing on how you can make do with just one pick up just fine. Especially a P90. Hey what happened at 9:40? Some crazy weird grid like reflection On the guitar. It really shows how nice The depth is of the finish.
I was surprised to see that Ray Toro from My Chemical Romance was using a Les Paul junior for majority of the setlists during the reunion tour....made me want to splurge and but one of these!!!
Shane please don’t give up on drumming. I thought you were doing a fine job in previous videos. It makes your tracks sound much more authentic in my humble opinion.
My strat-playing band mate once asked me how it was possible to get so many tones out of one pickup? I’m my case a lot of the variation came from light palm muting and adding some fleshy part of the fingers during picking.
I for one would be very interested in a comparison with this and the Harley Benton (if you still have it) I’d love to have one of the newer Gibson DC jr, but I don’t like the scratch plate and top mount output.
I have the sg junior which is a slightly brighter version and airier. Thing is when you lower the volume so does the treble. Loses a bit of attack which I’m not happy with. The intonation is almost perfect except on the G string, which makes this allergic in one of my songs sound off. Idk. I also have a les Paul with 2p90s. That guitar seems to have slightly more note definition. The sg gets a bit more mushy. I’m thinking it’s the hotter p90 along with it being close to the strings, as opposed to the higher action on my les Paul with the slightly less hot p90. I’m debating on trying to raise the bridge since I can’t lower the pickup to give it a bit more note definition if a possible. It’s pretty dynamic through, my les pul won’t punch as hard, it’s more controlled sounding but less lively, but more defined. If only I could get the sg as defined and contain the punch and extra distortion when I want it . I know you can get wrap around a that can be intonated but I feel the rounded top of the wrap around makes the strings vibrate differently than if you have a slotted or elevated sharp saddle on the wrap around .
I used to work for a guy that wrote a lot of commercial jingles (famous ones) and had a rock band. This was his main guitar. You don’t really need more
I play a lot on the neck pickup but must say your use of the bridge was very convincing. Great review and playing Shane as always. I've got GAS for that guitar now! 🤣
Good quick rundown review, thanks. I really like the single PU setup and the tones you can still get out of it (note to self: play more - learn more!). Have you gigged with one of these? Cheers, sidemanLZ
I think the neck pickup is where it's at with p90's, i really like the fat tone you get from it. I own a gibsson les paul meloy maker with p90's and i'd chose it over a les paul jr. with no second thought. That being said, the guitar sounded amazing.
@@quicklynamed I have a Schecter Pt with a 90 in the neck and I like it pretty good. I’ll use bridge for rhythm with a regular single coil and then I get so much output out of that P90 when I want it, it sounds crazy
Thank you for all the great reviews, especially because I’m lefty too 😉. Just got my Junior and it’s my first « high quality » guitar…but I’m confused…the pots turn in the opposite way compared to my other guitars. Do you know if it’s normal for Gibson Guitars ? And would it be the same on a Les Paul Standard? Thanks and see you in the next vidéo 🤘
because of all the great reviews, I went to my local gibson dealer, guitar store to check out the less Paul special.. I like my EPIPHONE, Les Paul special with its 2 P 90s, no binding on its neck, and it’s flat black paint better than the gibson. even the epiphone les paul special that has neck binding, I do not like as much as the bare-bones EPI special that I think sold for $179 new. I am not kidding, the cheap one please better, it has a neck profile that I like. I have done no upgrades. It could use better tuners.. I have a set of take offs, gibson, turners that I took off of my USA, gibson les paul classic, and I replace them with locking tuners. So I am going to put the gibson tuners on my cheapo EPI. flat black Les Paul special.. this is the guitar that I take on gigs, it is the cheapest guitar I own by far, and it is my favorite Les Paul.
I have one and was planning to sell it (I own lots of other guitars...) but it’s a damn good guitar so I’ve kept it. For the money you will hardly find a better Gibson nowadays. The tone and volume knob are very useful on that beast. My only concern is the black knobs: I prefer amber ones and if you don’t hear those bloody black knobs, they will break when you try to remove them. That LP has a fat neck that’s just perfect.
We have another new backing track! Let me know what you think of a single pickup guitar and if you think it's all you really need? I have a shootout coming up with my TV Yellow LP Special coming soon. 😁🎸
► Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/GaBbB
► Thomann - bit.ly/3jM7T9A
► Sky Music - alnk.to/31loQo0
0:00 - Jam Track
2:24 - Guitar Overview
4:46 - Guitar Tones
9:50 - Final Thoughts
IF you can't get several useful tones from a 1 pick up Jr. You're doing it WRONG! Nice demo Shane!
It's a rock machine..... Leslie West would certainly agree...RIP Leslie
All the tone you need with one pickup, a tone and volume knob! No frills, just limited by your imagination! 🎸🎸🎸🔥🔥🔥🔥
I usually like a little more hardware but those guitars work really well
Since my imagination is limited, maybe a Ric 350 into a board would be better… 😁
P90s are really great pickups. I think you have to go through the single coil -> humbucker -> P90 journey to appreciate them the most.
My Epi Riviera P93 is the most versatile guitar I own. I can get any tone I want out of it. Take the metal covers off and it will improve the tone.
Aren't they tend to be noisy? How is that practically managed?
I picked up one of these about a year or two in the US when they came out. -In left handed! The guitar was so factory fresh I could still smell the nitro curing everytime I opened the case for about a month. Still really liking this instrument.
Yes the 2018 lefty model LPjr is an incredible guitar I purchased one myself...It’s a lone beast! Is this a new 2020? I hope to see the double cutaway on lefty soon...
This video taught me something. I am not ashamed to admit that in all my years of playing I only used the tone control on the neck pickup. I just realized that different woman tones can be done with the bridge. Awesome!
Leslie West was magic with one of these !
As a young man, two pickups were never enough.
Now that I am old and tired, I can barely manage one let alone two.
Wait...ohh, guitar pickups. My bad.
🤣
One complains enough.
Ahhh....thoughts and prayers!!!!
Viagra mate.
Good one bro.
Bought one of these on a whim and cant believe how good they are and versatile. Love these LPJ’s!
I have a 63 Musicmaster: you can do so much with one pick up, as you accurately demonstrated! It’s all in the hands.
I can hear the strings pinging behind the nut at 5:12 . A trick is to put foam under the strings to deaden the ping. It makes the strings feel a tiny bit tighter.
These are not a one trick pony . ...the volume and tone knobs on these will take you ANYWHERE you want to venture .
And your attack, and where you pick the strings, and and and.
These guitars are a life-long lesson in coaxing tone from a guitar. I absolutely adore mine, particularly through a single-channel, cranked amp.
@@Gazaam81 and the amp and the pedals and the other pedals
Wouldn’t a special do the same? You can do the same thing with the bridge as you could a junior, but you have an additional neck pickup to do the same with and get tons more tones?
@@mikezschoche1881 absolutely, but there is actually a difference. It has a bit more bite and warmth wired with just a single pup than it would be with both. It also forces you to only use one aspect, to let you practice “getting the most of what you have”.
@jeebus yaWeirdo ...as YOGI BERRA used to say about Baseball..."psychology (of the game) is 90% mental! (LOL!) - apply that here,@,..yeah, one P-90 ONLY!, w/masterful TONE@, and VOLUME@..shaping - affects your entire approach to the music...but then SO DOES one less electro-magnetic field from a 2nd pickup, messing with string vibration and affecting the nano-pulsing of the electro vibration of the molecules! ergo: Leslie West *Mountain!) - figured this out intuitively!..as has Charlie Starr! (Blueberry Smoke!) - that's the BEAUTY OF GIBSON! THEY USED A SIMPLE!, STRAIGHTFORWARD! ICONIC DESIGN! TO RE-DEFINE PHYSICS! (With a little help from CLAPTON!, PAGE! GREEN!!,BECK, IOMMI!, SLASH!, et al! And the rest is History!🌎
I'm hearing a lot of dynamics on your playing in this review. The one pickup configuration forces you to do that and it sounds amazing! It also helps if the guitar is well built and feels nice to play... Really enjoyed the playing on this one, thanks and cheers!
Thanks mate. Every backing track now has far more dynamics than before. I am trying to make that a feature of the vids. :)
@@intheblues well, you definitely inspired me to pickup my DC Junior and upload a video on youtube!
You can do a lot with an LP junior. They aren't a standard or custom, but nothing is. They still manage to produce some great rock and blues tones. I feel like they manage to clean up a little bit better than humbuckers which is nice when you are playing various songs and need to vary in your tone vocab while only able to use one 🎸
I bought a custom shop 57 jounior in tv yellow a month ago. So simple but so much fun to play. Chunky neck and the p90 packs a whallop. The tone and volume are super responsive. Great review.
I played a custom shop jr. Tv and the neck dived so bad it was disgusting but I'm glad you enjoy yours.
I love the simplicity and great sounds you get from that P90 LP Junior. Great playing and demo as well, Shane. Thank you!
I love your demo’s, amps or guitars, you do it right. Keep going that way.
I have a 1988 reissue, one P90, two-piece tunomatic bridge. I rediscovered the joys of simplicity and actually using the volume and tone controls as well as my hands/technique for tonal variation. My preferred instrument over my Standard and Studio models.
I should add that I bought mine new in 1988, so it's a keeper! They only made them between 1986 - 1992 with the tunomatic. The p/u is Gibson's own and just fine, though I have been checking out the range of P90's tested on UA-cam. The P90 is back in favour, it would seem, and there's a buzz around Juniors and Specials. Considering a trade involving my Studio and a Special, or possibly having a guy called Doug Wilkes - a brilliant luthier who makes the best necks on the planet - make me a Junior to accompany my Gibson one and my lovely Black Standard.
Simplicity can be a beautiful thing as this guitar shows. I do agree that you can get a nice variance of tones but.... I'm a 2 pup kinda guy. I love a nice pair..... It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
You finally getting the aditude of Muddy Waters. Simple, played very well through a good amp and recorded well is GOLD ! The tone is in the hands. Blues On....💙
I’ve got the Special DC with 2 P90s and I’m in love with the versatility of these guitars! IMO the best pickups ever made!
My favourite type of guitar for a quick noodle instead of a strat where I keep flicking the switch it surely has its uses but this simple is a nice and simple thing 👍🏻
Great video Shane, love your intros..
thank you! The creative part of my brain has ignited again. :)
one good p90 in a slab of mahogany is all you need. The single pup has a different vibe/tone from a double hum/p90 guitar and even the dogear style makes a difference in tone from a soapbar.
Got a lefty LP Junior last month but noticed right away that the pots weren't reverse wound like they should be in a lefty guitar, called Gibson and they said someone at the factory installed right-handed pots by mistake and they would send me the correct ones. Now I have to take the Junior to Guitar Center to get them changed out under warranty. Otherwise it's a great guitar.
Sounds great Shane, am gassing for something LP at the moment. Would love to hear a comparison of this Jr with your TV Yellow special.
I’d love Gibson to to a run of LP double cut wP90s for us Leftys... i’d be all over that
Nice demo! Got a Fret King DBC Signature LP Junior style guitar a couple of weeks ago. Having been a Strat style guitar player for 35 years I was surprised and must agree with you. Riding those controls really gives a lot of tonal variety. It also seems very responsive to touch sensitivity. Possibly due to the lesser magnetic influence without the other pickups. Granted, I bought it directly from Bucket since he is a friend of mine and this was one of two bespoke copies built for him and is superbly set up and feels amazing to play.
I love these guitars - such a secret weapon Simple Design and controls - just focus on playing
Been gassing for a double cut junior for ages! Save me!!
I have a DC special and I can highly recommend it. Got it new for 555 EUR new because the 2015s were not popular, but I think it is very good.
I got one of the 2019 Gibson Les Paul special double cut p90's cherry for $460 at guitar center. Highly recommend.
And the most important thing is, you really play good! Its actually the man behind the machine!
Great to see this.
Always loved Jr's (HUGE Leslie West fan since '69) but never could afford one.
Almost bought a promo Epi bolt on for like $79 when a GC opened nearby about 10 years ago.
Did buy a recently released Epi TSB Jr a few months ago. Worth the wait. Set neck and Great.
Easily the most dynamic guitar in my modest arsenal (3 Epis, 2 Ibz, 2 SQ, etc...)
If your name is Charlie Starr, you can sail through the galaxies with a single P-90 on a LP Junior!
Hey Shane, thanks for the review. Don't be embarrassed to go clean with it, it gets nice clean tones but it's more suited for indie or alternative tones than the other stuff, that's where it shines clean.
Surprised to see a visible seam running under the controls.
Mine's a 1958, single cutaway. It still has the original price tag. I've been playing it since 1973.
I was saving up for a LP DC cherry and I was about half way there. Things kept tapping my funds, so I decided to order an Eastman version, but the mom and pop shop wanted 1500 up front to order with unknown delivery date. This was just after CV19 . In fear of the shop folding and losing my money, I bought two HB LP's, one SC and one DC fat 50. The SC arrived in two weeks, but the DC was back ordered. It took 12 and a half weeks. The SC would not adjust low for acceptable playing. I had to buy an aftermarket bridge(musiclily) for about 15 bucks, well worth it, solved the problem very nicely and was better quality than stock. The Dc was set up very good out of the box, I haven't changed anything except pickup height. The location of the bridge was not centered equally on the strings, favoring the bass side by 1/8th of an inch(3mm) no easy fix. The pickup also was rattling around under the cover, but raising the poles lodged it in the cover until I add some foam under it. I was surprised at the versatility of both guitars and quickly grew to like both of them. On the DC it has a pull tone knob for P 90 /P100, both sound pretty good. The knob is very tapered and hard to get a hold of, I ordered some tele knobs for it. I would rather have a used Gibby but couldn't find the right deal.
You live and you learn. You should have got the Gibson Les Paul special double cut p90's Traditional model, I got one in cherry for $460 on big sale but I have seen them $549.00 before the sale I got mine at
@@AuntAlnico4 I didn't want one of the new models, I wanted a true to the original guitar. I have an Agile AD 2200 that is a very close copy and it's a great guitar, but two P 90's, not one. I have my reasons.
Cheers Shane - I think this might be my next forever guitar. I've had Gordon Smith Guitars in this config in the past but always fancied the Gibson. Guitarist Magazine did a great 1 pick up guitar comparison a few years back. The LP junior aced it. Neville Martin getting a faux acoustic guitar sound out of it.
I prefer the looks, extra tones and neck binding on the LP Specials.
As a lefty, these are bloody rare! Nice guitar but geezz they are expensive in Melbourne, and havn't seen a used one on the market for years
I recently bought this (in black) and I gotta say I'm really loving it. My main guitar was an LP Standard (which I still have) and I thought I would really miss the neck pickup, but I don't. It's amazing how versatile this guitar is. If you own one, I hope you're enjoying it!
Just ordered mine! My main is also a LP standard. How’s she treating you?
@@devanhansonmusic it’s great!! It has a lot of punch. Really enjoying the hell out of it. The neck is actually chunkier than my lp 50’s which is a nice bonus too. Did you get yours yet?
That's actually good to hear. I was just checking prices and both iterations in the original series can be had for a little more than the price of a CS..
I think the cs would smoke both, if anyone wants to weigh in on this I'd love to hear input.. now to decide between vintage sunburst and Tv Yellow with woodgrain showing through. 🤑
@@McDagger90 I love the sound of that!! Lol I was just arguing with myself about which one or just saying to heck with it n going Cs junior for less than price of owning both 😂 only problem is deciding between finishes
I’d say so but it’s so much easier for me to change tones with the pickup switch rather than the tone control.
Nothing better than a Junior to teach you how to manipulate the controls.
You should keep the Jr. I have a friend that has a 1957 Jr and that thing is amazing. The one control has so much sweep that its like there's a built in way pedal in the guitar. I love that thing.
Sounds great. I just played an open air Country-Rock-Americana band session for about three hours yesterday. I played a Strat, and used ALL pickup position as my sense of the music and moment requires. I can’t think of one gig as a guitarist I’ve ever done where a one pickup guitar would have suited me, or where I wouldn’t have dearly missed at least a second pickup option. One pickup guitars are great for some people. Just not for me.
I had an Epiphone LP Jr SC back in 2000. That guitar could do anything! I have jonesed for one ever since. Two years ago I had a chance to buy a new Hamer Special Jr. at a silly cheap price and I jumped on it! Because I cant leave well enough alone, I replace all of the electronics. CTS 500K vol, CTS 250K tone, Bumble bee 0.022 axial CAP wired 50's style meaning the cap is wired from the vol to the tone pot and finally Switchcraft output jack. I replaced the pickup with a Bare Knuckles Supermassive P90. I own some really fancy wow factor guitars but when I need a straight do it all guitar, the Jr is the go to guitar! Gibson got it right when they designed the single p90 guitars!
my favourite gibsons , I have a gordon smith (UK builder) loosely based on it which I love and is the only guitar that can tempt me away from my beloved tele ( bought for next to nothing squier)
I too have a squire classic vib tele and GS 160
In my humble opinion You never Sounded better That guitar has your name on it !
I love this kind of guitar - that's why I own one! 😄 - Anyway, I find the action between strings and the P90 too high. The Dogear is not adjustable, so I decided to shape a silhouette of wood, to lift it enough to increase the sensitivity of the pickup to tone and especially to volume knob.
Go for that Leslie West Mountain tone. LP Jr are such killer guitars. It's a pity the fretboard on that one isn't great looking.
I like the fretboard
@@johnphillips4033 I'm just used to the dark ebony fretboard on my Jr I guess.
Gibson should release Satin finished maple neck Les Paul and SG Juniors. I would kill for one of each.
Nice playing as usual Shane. I got my first single p90 les paul junior style a couple of months ago. Lot of fun and it really focuses your playing.
I am getting a one-pickup guitar soon. The reasoning behind it was 1)I don't really use the neck much and 2)no neck pickup equals better sustain.
No complaints here have the custom DC junior .....what a machine!!
I have a 2019 with a nice dark fretboard, versatile and sounds great!
"Let's see how it sounds"
Immediately sounds great
Why do people say "let's SEE how it SOUNDS?"
I just received mine, I can't put it down! I have owned a few real 1957's over the years and still own a 65' SG jr. I used to buy them for $100-200 all the time. Up until recently, the originals have skyrocketed in value. The Gibson has "it", the Epi's don't. Im sure the Epi's are good and all but this has the original feel and sound of an original. My advise is get one that has a very yellow middle and are not over 7 lbs. Those are the closest you'll get. Im a lefty as well and these are pretty easy to find so you can have your choice on them. No need for a custom shop, these are what you want as the Gibson USA. If there are imperfections, who cares thats the way they are.
Have always loved these. Godin makes a version. Both are awesome. Backing track is really good Shane. I need to do more up tempo practice and the tempo changes makes you think and react quickly. This should be tons of fun. Nice tone throughout.
Can attest that my godin summit classic with a single kingpin p90 is probably my favorite guitar. No nonsense just rocks
It doesn't make much sense but for me simplicity is more fun. I haven't used the neck pickup in 30 years. If I see a Les Paul junior hanging next to a Les Paul Custom my eyes go to the Les Paul junior. They are just too cool.
Poly or nitro finish? If I didn't already have a JJN Epi Lester w its single dog-ear P90, I would be very interested in having one of these. Cool as hell.
I have a Lucas Nelson model. Very similar to this one but with a few upgrades.
Great guitar
Let's not forget Leslie west of mountain, Mississippi queen, he got sounds from a lp jr. That you shouldn't be able to hear, but your hands, and tone and volume can do a lot,
It sounds great, but for me a one-pickup guitar would be one with a neck and no bridge.
Great video man!! Agree with something already said... a single pickup works some of the greats, EVH, Charlie Christian, Charlie Star, Billy Gibbons (live anyway), etc. Hmmm, so maybe tone IS the player?? 🤙🏻🎸
I own one and love it.🤘
Good review so thanks. We thought you were in WA! In Melbourne eh? Who are you playing with at present?
Great guitar I love those things. It is the most eye-opening thing on how you can make do with just one pick up just fine. Especially a P90. Hey what happened at 9:40? Some crazy weird grid like reflection On the guitar. It really shows how nice The depth is of the finish.
thanks Shane...my fav guitar the Les Paul juniors.
I was surprised to see that Ray Toro from My Chemical Romance was using a Les Paul junior for majority of the setlists during the reunion tour....made me want to splurge and but one of these!!!
EVH had 1 pick up and he rocked; KR as well with his junior. Both iconic guitar players.
Shane please don’t give up on drumming. I thought you were doing a fine job in previous videos. It makes your tracks sound much more authentic in my humble opinion.
I just got one. But I think there's something wrong with it. It gets VERY angry when I plug straight into my JCM 800. 😂
I love my 2019 LP Junior! It's my first P90 guitar and I love it! It still has the factory smell!
Vanilla?
My strat-playing band mate once asked me how it was possible to get so many tones out of one pickup? I’m my case a lot of the variation came from light palm muting and adding some fleshy part of the fingers during picking.
Great video as usual. I just worry about the internation. Your thoughts.
excited like me? my fretboard has bright stripes like yours? to dry? sound superb
Can’t wait for the Special comparison! Nice review
I for one would be very interested in a comparison with this and the Harley Benton (if you still have it) I’d love to have one of the newer Gibson DC jr, but I don’t like the scratch plate and top mount output.
I have the sg junior which is a slightly brighter version and airier. Thing is when you lower the volume so does the treble. Loses a bit of attack which I’m not happy with. The intonation is almost perfect except on the G string, which makes this allergic in one of my songs sound off. Idk.
I also have a les Paul with 2p90s. That guitar seems to have slightly more note definition. The sg gets a bit more mushy. I’m thinking it’s the hotter p90 along with it being close to the strings, as opposed to the higher action on my les Paul with the slightly less hot p90.
I’m debating on trying to raise the bridge since I can’t lower the pickup to give it a bit more note definition if a possible. It’s pretty dynamic through, my les pul won’t punch as hard, it’s more controlled sounding but less lively, but more defined. If only I could get the sg as defined and contain the punch and extra distortion when I want it .
I know you can get wrap around a that can be intonated but I feel the rounded top of the wrap around makes the strings vibrate differently than if you have a slotted or elevated sharp saddle on the wrap around .
That sounds great, such a simple guitar with so much character, the rosewood neck looks great 👍🏻
Us Esquire users will have little trouble adapting..
We can all make a distorted sound but can you please play clean?
Commented BEFORE he got there I see?
great to see a left-handed model; nice review
Thanks!
I used to work for a guy that wrote a lot of commercial jingles (famous ones) and had a rock band. This was his main guitar. You don’t really need more
is that the
custom shop model though its a lighter finish
I play a lot on the neck pickup but must say your use of the bridge was very convincing. Great review and playing Shane as always. I've got GAS for that guitar now! 🤣
Epiphone makes a nice jr. Now for $379!
@@AuntAlnico4 Yessssss!
Cheapest Epi I have seen in Australia is about $650. :(
Yep, 1 P90 is enough. I have a Gibson LP tribute DC junior which does all the same stuff and was cheaper to buy, which worked out for me.🤙👍.
Good quick rundown review, thanks. I really like the single PU setup and the tones you can still get out of it (note to self: play more - learn more!). Have you gigged with one of these? Cheers, sidemanLZ
The poster on left bottom is that John Lee Hooker I think I have an LP with that picture on it could that be right ?
I think the neck pickup is where it's at with p90's, i really like the fat tone you get from it.
I own a gibsson les paul meloy maker with p90's and i'd chose it over a les paul jr. with no second thought.
That being said, the guitar sounded amazing.
Agreed. Neck p90 tones have more definition than humbuckers and more girth than single coils. Kinda the best of both worlds.
@@quicklynamed I have a Schecter Pt with a 90 in the neck and I like it pretty good. I’ll use bridge for rhythm with a regular single coil and then I get so much output out of that P90 when I want it, it sounds crazy
If you re-wire it to 50's wiring it opens it up even more
correct me if i'm wrong but isn't a Les Paul Special basically a Les Paul Jr. with a neck pickup ? Thanks
I absolutely love my junior and all my single pup guitars !
Great demo mate ! You are going to keep it aren't you ? 😎🎸
I absolutely love mine!
Thank you for all the great reviews, especially because I’m lefty too 😉. Just got my Junior and it’s my first « high quality » guitar…but I’m confused…the pots turn in the opposite way compared to my other guitars. Do you know if it’s normal for Gibson Guitars ? And would it be the same on a Les Paul Standard?
Thanks and see you in the next vidéo 🤘
Awesome video, great playing. Just shows what you can do if you shift your volume and tone off 10. 😎
Really impressed Shane!
because of all the great reviews, I went to my local gibson dealer, guitar store to check out the less Paul special..
I like my EPIPHONE, Les Paul special with its 2 P 90s, no binding on its neck, and it’s flat black paint better than the gibson.
even the epiphone les paul special that has neck binding, I do not like as much as the bare-bones EPI special that I think sold for $179 new.
I am not kidding, the cheap one please better, it has a neck profile that I like. I have done no upgrades. It could use better tuners..
I have a set of take offs, gibson, turners that I took off of my USA, gibson les paul classic, and I replace them with locking tuners. So I am going to put the gibson tuners on my cheapo EPI. flat black Les Paul special..
this is the guitar that I take on gigs, it is the cheapest guitar I own by far, and it is my favorite Les Paul.
I will never buy/own a single pickup guitar. I have a Les Paul Special with 2 P90's and really like it. Your tone is good here nonetheless.
When there is no bridge for setting the intonation, I get nervous!
I have one and was planning to sell it (I own lots of other guitars...) but it’s a damn good guitar so I’ve kept it. For the money you will hardly find a better Gibson nowadays. The tone and volume knob are very useful on that beast. My only concern is the black knobs: I prefer amber ones and if you don’t hear those bloody black knobs, they will break when you try to remove them. That LP has a fat neck that’s just perfect.
Great review! Thanks