LP Jr. Billie Joe Armstrong?

[JackButler]

Ok, somewhat been looking for a single cut LP jr lately. today I stoppe din GC and played the onyl one they had, which is the Billie Joe Armstrong signature model. First ofall, I am not a fan of his in any way, but I dig the guitar. It can be had for a great deal and I am considering it as the use dones have been going for only a small amount less.(yes, much lower than MF price). So, if anyone has any comments postive or negative, it would be appreciated.
Thanks

[musicofanatic5]

Who the hell is Billie Joe Armstrong? Really!
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Toyota GR engine history

[JackButler]

No shit, I didn't know at first either! He's from Green Day. While I can appreciate their music for what it is and their longevity, It's certainly not my bag. None-the-less you can' tell except for a small signature on the back of the headstock/neck area and the super cool leopard skinned case.
Plays great, rings well, and I can swap the stacked p90 (yeah, what's with that?) for a Lollar. A used VOS would be around $500 more, so not being my number one, might be a logical choice.

[big mike]

That's a damn cool guitar. Little pricey regularly but a nice neck and good tones.

[Mike9]

Have you looked into the new Melody Makers?

[sgs]

Not positive, but i think this model has the same specs as the RI model Junior they make (save for the pickup). Would it be cheaper to just go for one of these instead since you're going to do a pickup swap anyway?

[JackButler]

Been researching that a wee bit too. Big difference is the burst color, the BJ is the vintage style and the regular model is kinda tobacco burst, of course I prefer the yellowish BJ color. I wa sunder the assumption the BJA was a a "better" guitar or step up, maybe not. I am clueless to all the Gibson does these days. I do know about 5 years ago it took me going through about 20 standards to find the right one.
If indeed the regualr version is the same except pickup that would be a no brainer. Damn, but then I'd have to throw away all my GreenDay paraphanelia and find a new hero
One difference is the bridge, the BJA has the wraparound slanted opposed to more modern of the regualr version. TO me, I could care less, I want a player single cut with a dogear. Could care less abotu collectibility cause I'll beat the guitar.

[scottlr]

If by regular model, you refer to the Musician's Friend LP Jr, the MF version has a 3 piece body to go with the non-vintage burst finish, instead of a one piece slab. There is also a difference at the neck pocket. The MF is flush there, while the original and BJA, and VOS versions have the period correct box thing there. The BJA, VOS and originals had/have a natural back, while the MF is painted black. The MF is a fair value, but I would not probably buy one sight unseen. I bought mine off ebay, and after watching many of them for weeks, the matching of the body wood is all over the place. Mine, and I'd say most of those I saw were well matched. But a few were horribly mismatched. For less than $600 I am pretty happy with what I have. I haven't done P-90s in years, and I never owned a single pup guitar, aside from a jazz box I had a few years ago.

[JackButler]

Thanks Scott, I did not know some of that info. Guess I better do some thinking here. I do think $1250 out the door for a new BJA is really fair, used ones go for $1k, so obivously worth the extra, Now if I could snag a VOS for $1500!

[michael.e]

I have played a few of those BJA guitars. New, they are $1,500.00. I think they pale in comparison to the Historic or CS Jr.s in both tone and feel. That said, I love big necks, but I think that is also a huge contributing factor to he incredible tone that is a P-90 JR.

For the same amount of money, you can find used CS or Historics.

Damn! I miss my Historic JR.

M.E.

[JackButler]

Dangit. No see I can get a deal on a new BJA, $1250 done. Man, gotta figure this out.

[sgs]

Jack,

IMHO... the Jr. was originally built and spec'd to be a 'cheap' way to get a Les Paul. They cut corners with the slab construction, hardware, etc., and that was the true beauty of this instrument. A no frills chunk of wood that became rock-n-roll nirvana for many. I think you could do no wrong no matter which one you choose. I personally chose the production model 'cuz I like the 60's profile neck better. Does it sound worse than one of the fancier models? I don't think so. The construction of a jr. is so simple that I don't think there's too many variables that will make a huge difference anywhere. Again, just one guy's opinion (one guy who chooses his 'cheap' jr. over his very expensive PRS most always I don't think you can go wrong no matter which one you end up with...

Scott

[michael.e]

Originally Posted by sgs

Jack,

IMHO... the Jr. was originally built and spec'd to be a 'cheap' way to get a Les Paul. They cut corners with the slab construction, hardware, etc., and that was the true beauty of this instrument. A no frills chunk of wood that became rock-n-roll nirvana for many. I think you could do no wrong no matter which one you choose. I personally chose the production model 'cuz I like the 60's profile neck better. Does it sound worse than one of the fancier models? I don't think so. The construction of a jr. is so simple that I don't think there's too many variables that will make a huge difference anywhere. Again, just one guy's opinion (one guy who chooses his 'cheap' jr. over his very expensive PRS most always I don't think you can go wrong no matter which one you end up with...



Scott

From what I have seen, heard and played, the bigger, richer and more "classic" tone come from better quality woods and the bigger neck.
And a better pickup.

M.E.

[JackButler]

Pickup is leats of my concern, as a Lollar will go in whatever I end up with, but I still can't understand why they put the stacked in that guitar!

[scottlr]

I have to admit I am fairly impressed with my MF Jr. I don't even mind the pup in it. It sounds pretty good, though I have given thought to an RS kit. I have played it almost every night since I got it 3 weeks ago. If I'd have had the cash, I'd have gone VOS probably. But, if I was going to go that much, I would have probably got a Special instead. I went for this just to see what it was like to have the most simple guitar one could imagine. One pup, volume and tone. I haven't had a chance to play it loud with other folks as of yet, but it laid down a nice lead track on a tune I am working on.