Les Paul Jr. vs. Special

[c94123]

I'm really jonesing for a P90 loaded guitar. Ideally an R6, but don't want to drop that kinda coin at the moment. Will a Jr. with just the one PU give me enough exposure to various P90 tones or will I always be wishing for the flexibility of the second PU. I'm a classic rock, blues and country player mostly (some hard rock) and I'll be playing through an Axe-Fx so lots of options. Thanks in advance. I'm open to any P90 guitar, but like the feel of the LPs.

[OM Flyer]

I had a single-pickup P-90 guitar for awhile, and it can be made to work, but the tone of a neck P-90 is just so sweet, it's a shame to not even have it as an option. Check out a Godin LGP90 for a lower-cost singlecut alternative, albeit a bolt-on.

[c94123]

I had a single-pickup P-90 guitar for awhile, and it can be made to work, but the tone of a neck P-90 is just so sweet, it's a shame to not even have it as an option. Check out a Godin LGP90 for a lower-cost singlecut alternative, albeit a bolt-on.

Thanks - probably the reply I'm expecting and thanks for the Godin reference. I'll take a look.

[frank62]

Might look at a Hamer Special.

[Dumo]

Get that Hamer in the for sale forum and put some Lollars in it. Great guitars for the money.

[wrxplayer]

I was looking to try one myself. Did a bit of research and ended up buying a slightly used Heritage H137, but it hasn't arrived yet. From everything I read, it should be outstanding at a not too crazy price.

I noticed this on ebay today. I have this guitar w/ Fralin HBs and love it. If the selling price in this is <$800 I suspect it would be a good deal, but you're likely looking for a solid body.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gadow-Custom-Hollow-Dark-Cherry-P90-Pick-ups_W0QQitemZ230289814158QQihZ013QQcategoryZ2384QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[ahab]

To reiterate what as already been said. The sound of a P90 in the neck of a Gibson Les Paul is such a perfect tone--there's no way that I would settle on a single P90 guitar.

[c94123]

I was looking to try one myself. Did a bit of research and ended up buying a slightly used Heritage H137, but it hasn't arrived yet. From everything I read, it should be outstanding at a not too crazy price.

I noticed this on ebay today. I have this guitar w/ Fralin HBs and love it. If the selling price in this is <$800 I suspect it would be a good deal, but you're likely looking for a solid body.

http://rover.ebay.com/ar/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpt=[CacheBuster]&adtype=1&size=1x1&type=4&campid=5335828753&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2FGadow-Custom-Hollow-Dark-Cherry-P90-Pick-ups_W0QQitemZ230289814158QQihZ013QQcategoryZ2384QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemhttp://cgi.ebay.com/Gadow-Custom-Hollow-Dark-Cherry-P90-Pick-ups_W0QQitemZ230289814158QQihZ013QQcategoryZ2384QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=3&campid=5335828753&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2FGadow-Custom-Hollow-Dark-Cherry-P90-Pick-ups_W0QQitemZ230289814158QQihZ013QQcategoryZ2384QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Thanks for the Heritage reference. Had completely spaced on them. Let me know what you think when you get it.

[GregoryL]

The 90's Specials (with neck binding) are very nice and can be typically found for well under $1000 ... great deal IMO.

Reverend also makes some great P90 guitars.

Also, aside from the R6, I'd strongly recommend checking out the Collings 290 ... their version of an LP Special, and typically about $1800 used.

[wrxplayer]

Here are two pics of the on-its-way Heritage. FYI as of a few days ago Wolfe guitars had one that was new w/ a small cosmetic issue priced like a factory second.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee199/evanlerner/h137-2.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee199/evanlerner/h137-2.jpg

[Dave Orban]

I had a single-pickup P-90 guitar for awhile, and it can be made to work, but the tone of a neck P-90 is just so sweet, it's a shame to not even have it as an option.Ditto.

An LP Special -- especially the VOS models -- is an extraordinary guitar, IMO.

[bluegrif]

It's hard to beat a 90s Hamer Special for the type of guitar your looking for. Absolutely first rate USA materials and construction and they can be had for low dollars. Super clean, solid mahogany construction. The stock P90s are Seymour Duncan. The only reason I ever sold the one I had was because it had a rather slim (think Gibson slim-taper 60s) neck. If it would have had a fat neck I'd still have it to this day.

[thesooze]

Ditto.

An LP Special -- especially the VOS models -- is an extraordinary guitar, IMO.

I played my buddy's VOS LPSpecial.... ruined my life. Wouldn't sell it to me. :BITCH

[ss396]

Ditto.

An LP Special -- especially the VOS models -- is an extraordinary guitar, IMO.


+1! the special has something "special" going on. whenever i see someone playing live with one of these in a band situation they are generally amazing in the tones they generate. works for blues or classic rock.

[trisonic]

I must be the odd one out in preferring the original Jnr. It has a purity of tone somehow - you'd better make it work!
I do have an SG Special with two P90's that I like a lot too.

Best, Pete.

[Dana Olsen]

To reiterate what as already been said. The sound of a P90 in the neck of a Gibson Les Paul is such a perfect tone--there's no way that I would settle on a single P90 guitar.On the other hand, the bridge pickup sounds better on a LP Junior than the bridge pickup does on a LP Special, IMHO.

There's something about playing a one pickup guitar. It challenges you to use your hands in a different way than you use 'em on a two pickup guitar, and the results are palpable, IMHO. Plus, not having that second magnet around pulling on the strings makes for wonderful harmonics and sustain.

Nothing at all wrong with a LP Special - I have a great one myself and it's awesome to gig with. For me, they're two different beasts. Much of these LP Special v LP Junior discussions mirror like discussions about Strats v Teles - if you live on the neck pickup, you're gonna prefer the Strat; live on the bridge pickup, you'll probably prefer the Tele (or Esquire - GRIN).

The LP Special lets you get more tones from the guitar; but in my opinion, the LP Junior lets you/ helps you get more tones from the player.

The good news: There's no wrong decision - playing with P-90's is great ALL THE TIME, IMHO. The deeper and harder you rock on the gig (the more "hard rock" the gig is), the less you'll miss the neck pickup.

Dana O.

[soulohio]

Dana O...when you gonna school me on partridge transformers in Orange amps...

[gregc]

The 2 pickup models are very cool. On the other hand, there's something about the single pickup models that makes it 'special' in it's own 'stripped down, hot rod way'. I've spoken with Jol Dantzig at Hamer about this. He very much agreed and loves the single pup model.
tip: use the tone control. There's a lot of tonal variety there.

[go7]

There`s something very magical about a single P90 Jr. that just inspires me. Really a lot of tones if you use the knobs. Enjoy!

[gkoelling]

Prairiewood by Rob Dixon, 57special, on TGP.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f115/gjk318/Gear/IMG_0157.jpg

Only $1,500.00

Where else will you find hand made, all by one craftsman, for that money?

[Tuco]

Better transfer of vibration on a Junior, due to the absence of a neck p/u cavity. Combined with a wrap tail, these things can be almost cosmic tone machines.

[dewman]

can anyone compare the LP Special reissues of the 90s with the LP Junior reissues of the late 90s and early 2000s?

[Austinrocks]

Had a 75 LP special with two P-90s amazing guitar, really used the neck pup most of the time or both pups, the jr never made a lick of sense to me. Though I do see a nice jr at a local shop, wise it had another pup.

[Alvis]

There could be something to the physical tranfser theory on the Jr. And yeah ,I think I like the whole challenge thing of just having one pickup.I dont do neck pickups too often,just a couple of songs.
Carla Olson let me play her '57 TV special once.The one she used in that Dylan video.It was devine !

[dewman]

well I just bought one, a road worn 2001 LP Junior with a nice sounding P90 and a medium neck. Then I find out there is an early 90s red LP Special available for about the same price (the junior was WAY overpriced) I found one on ebay that looks identical to mine and has the compensated tailpiece. Anyone know much about this model and how it compared to other Juniors and Specials. Should I get the LP Special instead? I paid 799 for this guitar , knowing it was overpriced probably but not knowing by how much...what did these Juniors go for new? around $750??


http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Les-Paul-Junior_W0QQitemZ300257586476QQcmdZViewItem?hash=it em300257586476&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A13%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

PS- Alvin- I sent you an email over the weekend inquiring about the blood drive...

[skydog]

Prairiewood 1957 Les Paul Special
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e41/skydog653/000_1161.jpg

[FrankieSixxxgun]

I'm going to pick up a '98 LP Special tonight, so this thread has me excited! :D

[Kelsey]

I, too, tend to hear something different from the single bridge pickup of a Junior compared to the bridge pickup in a Special, and it's something I like a lot. I also have found that the neck P90 pickup on some Special-style guitars can sound a bit too wooly and muddy for my tastes. I much prefer a Strat pickup at the neck, but it's tough to surpass a P90 pickup at the bridge. So until I come up with a hybrid I like, I would choose a LP Junior and a Strat to cover most duties.

[jimmyj]

Cool another thread to post my Special picture.
What I would miss with a jr. is all the tones you get in the middle position of a 2 pickup Special by mixing the volumes. The neck pickup alone is beautiful and the bridge alone is even better but there are also so many great tones with both.

https://itctel.com/~juntunen/images/LP&THCR.JPG

[Kelsey]

That is a great photo!

[A440]

similar to the esquire vs tele conundrum

I'd go special. gotta have the neck pickup and other blending capabilities

[jgyn]

I've read that the Special and Junior also differ soundwise in that the pickup in a junior's mounted directly onto the body.

[kldonegan]

I played both guitars today (VOS versions) and I came away feeling like the Jr. was the better sounding guitar for me. The bridge pickup on the Jr. had more "it" ... whatever it is. The neck pickup on the Special was nice, but a little muddy and quite a bit louder than the bridge pickup (a friend pointed out this same observation to me). I'd understand loving that If you kicked to the neck pickup for leads or something, but it bugged me a little. All in all, I'll probably pick the Jr. Tele on Steroids, methinks!

[studiodunn]

Jr's are made for pure rock n roll destruction.
I have no intent on wowing the crowd with my many
tonal transitions. My guitar is plugged into a Loud amp that will both delight and scare you tonight.....123 GO!

Volume works as such: 1-2 Oh thats nice and sweet, a little chime and smooth fullness........3-6 Ok now, take the kids out to the car momma smells something dirty....7-10 Route 666, my god this guy is a bad seed, hurts so good, get me shot.

Jr's have caused more pregnancies then red wine and snowstorms.......fact.

[EataPeach]

This thread is killing me!!

I have a Jr on its way ......It'll primarily be used for slide playing...I cant wait !!

[soli528]

Jr's have caused more pregnancies then red wine and snowstorms.......fact.
Ah, TGP pearls of wisdom.:rotflmao

[dewman]

the junior from 2001 I bought yesterday feels light and has a 60s style neck but sounds quite amazing. Do all juniors resonate like hell because of the bridge? It feels ike 10s are on there now, which are too slinky, so I am slapping 11s on there, that should make it feel more substantial. You guys go up a gauge with these wraparound bridges??

Mine's been through a punk rock war it seems, with a case beat all to hell and the evidence of many-o-bumper stickers, and its only 8 years old. Looks like the frets are ok, the neck is almost but not exactly straight, so sometime down the line I'll need to get it planed if I refret it. It almost seems like a toy to me as compared to the LP Special I was looking at. Maybe its the weight.

I am not able to give the LP Special from the early 90s a full A+ because it has those P-100 pups in it and they are way more clean, lower in output and and less tonefull than the pup in the Junior. I cant tell if it is the pups alone or maybe the finish on the special is thick. Still its a good guitar overall. I (over)paid 799 for the used Junior, and the LP Special was about 100$ more than the Junior. The LP Special was very solid, heavier, and maybe a tad more than a 60s sized neck.

LP Special - Pros: bound neck which was straight as an arrow, sounded ok and in great mechanical shape; priced more in line with a used Special - cons: cherry red, no comparison on the pickups between the Jr and the Special with the junior winning; les intrinsic resonance, and crappy pickups which might not have revealed the tone of the guitar.

LP Junior Pros: resonant as hell, killer stock P90 dogeared pup, slinkiness from the topwrap w/10s so 11s should be an easy tone upgrade, nice tobacco type burst, markedly better tones from this guitar versus the special- Cons: less straight neck, beat to hell, paid maybe 300$ too much (stupid me, but I can take it back), feels like a toy to a certain extent

[Jack Dotson]

Cool another thread to post my Special picture.
What I would miss with a jr. is all the tones you get in the middle position of a 2 pickup Special by mixing the volumes. The neck pickup alone is beautiful and the bridge alone is even better but there are also so many great tones with both.

https://itctel.com/~juntunen/images/LP&THCR.JPG

I want one of these. What is that finish called?

[Rockinrob86]

I want one of these. What is that finish called?

Heritage Cherry