Gibson Lukas Nelson '56 Junior model

Philly_Q

We get the same old arguments.  A Strat or a Tele are "just two bits of wood bolted together".  A Les Paul Junior is "just a slab of wood with a pickup".

£1,500 is not a lot for a US built guitar nowadays.  That's just a fact.  No-one is forcing anyone to buy one if they think it's too expensive.

Jota

That guy has one of the best guitar tones I ever heard (I know taste is subjective).

I saw some pics Gibson posted on Twitter and thought it had too much red. That photo looks so much better.

John_P

Looks great and the price is similar to the regular junior so that’s nice.   

As far as I can see though it’s just offering different knobs and colour from the regular models - unless I’m missing something?

I would love to see the cheaper tribute models have normal features - a single pickup slab body with no fancy stylings would be a great low cost model. 

Philly_Q

John_P said:

As far as I can see though it’s just offering different knobs and colour from the regular models - unless I’m missing something?

It's got different - more vintage-looking - tuners, apparently with a higher gear ratio.  And the top of the bridge is contoured for better intonation (like a MojoAxe bridge).  Also the pickup is Alnico III.

I assume those are all different from the current regular-production model.

earwighoney

MikeS said:

Here's a clip of Lucas and his LPJ, watch it through if you can, as he gets a tasty tone from it.

Nothing beats simplicity.

Thanks for the heads-up, I'll be having one of those thank you.

I enjoyed that, thanks for posting it. I'd not seen of any of his solo stuff but I was a little familiar with a few tracks where his band were backing for Neil Young and he can play for sure.

For the video above, the sound crew did a superb job.

bodhi

Philly_Q said:

John_P said:

As far as I can see though it’s just offering different knobs and colour from the regular models - unless I’m missing something?

It's got different - more vintage-looking - tuners, apparently with a higher gear ratio.  And the top of the bridge is contoured for better intonation (like a MojoAxe bridge).  Also the pickup is Alnico III.

I assume those are all different from the current regular-production model.

And a satin finish, which I happen to prefer over thicker gloss nitro.

The specs look good to me - there's nothing there which would put me off buying one, if they end up being priced relatively similarly to the regular new Juniors.

sev112

Was the house band in the Lady Gaga “Star is Born”, and I think might have written most of the songs .

rlw

Doesn't he sound like his dad

ThePrettyDamned

bodhi said:

Philly_Q said:

John_P said:

As far as I can see though it’s just offering different knobs and colour from the regular models - unless I’m missing something?

It's got different - more vintage-looking - tuners, apparently with a higher gear ratio.  And the top of the bridge is contoured for better intonation (like a MojoAxe bridge).  Also the pickup is Alnico III.

I assume those are all different from the current regular-production model.

And a satin finish, which I happen to prefer over thicker gloss nitro.

The specs look good to me - there's nothing there which would put me off buying one, if they end up being priced relatively similarly to the regular new Juniors.

Probably cheaper to apply, too... Yet a premium charge. 

This looks like the cheap alternative for now. Actually great value! Appreciate its in a sale, so actually the sig in question hardly has an up charge against current models at rrp to be honest - just an alternative. This is a cheaper model but double cut, compensated bridge and thin nitro satin finish. 

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/190319340834008--gibson-les-paul-junior-tribute-dc-worn-ebony?gclid=CjwKCAjwsan5BRAOEiwALzomX7PwhQM7Ugu1opQJZyNEwjfca5cZAC-GeCazx0dUC8-wBdyYPgBn3RoCVXQQAvD_BwE

lovestrat74

rlw said:

Doesn't he sound like his dad

Indeed he does. I'd never heard of him until he opened at Clapton in Hyde Park. I walked in and thought... this guy sounds like a young Willie Nelson and then the penny dropped when I read the line up! Also what blew me away instantly was his tone from that Jr. 

guitargeek62

bodhi said:

Philly_Q said:

John_P said:

As far as I can see though it’s just offering different knobs and colour from the regular models - unless I’m missing something?

It's got different - more vintage-looking - tuners, apparently with a higher gear ratio.  And the top of the bridge is contoured for better intonation (like a MojoAxe bridge).  Also the pickup is Alnico III.

I assume those are all different from the current regular-production model.

And a satin finish, which I happen to prefer over thicker gloss nitro.

The specs look good to me - there's nothing there which would put me off buying one, if they end up being priced relatively similarly to the regular new Juniors.

And bigger frets and a chunky neck profile

MikeS

So, between us, we've ascertained that it's differences are...

1. Alnico Pickup

2. Aged hardware

3. Compensated Bridge

4. It's not overpriced

5. Engraved Trussrod cover

6. Satin finish

7. Thicker finish

8. A 3-tone sunburst satin thicker finish

9. Different knobs

10. Bigger Frets

11. Chunkier Neck

12. I would imagine it comes with a special hard case.

I was always in, now more-so.

bodhi

I heartily agree, except for "thicker" finish.  I assume you mean thinner.

I'm totally in on this one.

Whitecat

bodhi said:

I heartily agree, except for "thicker" finish.  I assume you mean thinner.

I'm totally in on this one.

I think they do mean thicker.

Gibson describes it as "high build" and it's meant to "simulate years of patina."

It's kind of a poor man's VOS I guess.

guitargeek62

MikeS said:

So, between us, we've ascertained that it's differences are...

1. Alnico Pickup

2. Aged hardware

3. Compensated Bridge

4. It's not overpriced

5. Engraved Trussrod cover

6. Satin finish

7. Thicker finish

8. A 3-tone sunburst satin thicker finish

9. Different knobs

10. Bigger Frets

11. Chunkier Neck

12. I would imagine it comes with a special hard case.

I was always in, now more-so. 

Agreed, though I'd go to Ivison or Eastman first.

roberty

lovestrat74 said:

rlw said:

Doesn't he sound like his dad

Indeed he does. I'd never heard of him until he opened at Clapton in Hyde Park. I walked in and thought... this guy sounds like a young Willie Nelson and then the penny dropped when I read the line up! Also what blew me away instantly was his tone from that Jr. 

Oh wow I must have seen him and then totally forgotten in that case lol. Seems like an age ago now post covid

Jota

Still like the look of the new one over this version but I believe it may be closer to the original sunburst that was awful even on 60's strats...

https://www.thomann.de/pt/gibson_lp_junior_lukas_nelson_svs.htm

vs

https://www.thomann.de/pt/gibson_les_paul_junior_vtb.htm

HandwrittenHero

Philly_Q said:

We get the same old arguments.  A Strat or a Tele are "just two bits of wood bolted together".  A Les Paul Junior is "just a slab of wood with a pickup".

£1,500 is not a lot for a US built guitar nowadays.  That's just a fact.  No-one is forcing anyone to buy one if they think it's too expensive.

Compared to the other models in Gibson line, compared to PRS s2 models etc. Also in line with my thoughts. Outside of the rest of world built instruments guitars long separated from the price being particularly tied to material and labour costs so much as being tied to what people can pay.

So long as there’s decent guitars at each price point (and there is right now) I’m at peace with this. The Tribute jr linked earlier is a guitar I’d personally feel more than happy gigging at the dog and duck (both on sound quality and because I remember gigging some right shit holes where sensible advice would be to only bring what you may not miss), likewise the Fender Player series right now are the American standard of 5 years ago.

Whitecat

Just saw the part about how they are only making 200 of these for the world... suspect it’ll sell quickly as it appears to be about the best Junior you can currently buy considering the small tweaks. 

ThePrettyDamned

Whitecat said:

bodhi said:

I heartily agree, except for "thicker" finish.  I assume you mean thinner.

I'm totally in on this one.

I think they do mean thicker.

Gibson describes it as "high build" and it's meant to "simulate years of patina."

It's kind of a poor man's VOS I guess.

Yeah, I'm assuming they just spray more and don't bother buffing or polishing - nice satin sheen with less work required.