Gibson Les Paul Junior

Gibson Les Paul Junior ( 1954-1963 )

In 1954 while gibson was on the verge of perfecting their les paul gold tops with tune o matic bridges they decided to produce an econo line of affordable guitars called the gibson les paul juniors.

The Gibson Les Paul Junior guitar along with the GA-5 Les Paul junior amps during the 50s were extremely popular and were very often bought together as combos by guitar players because they were not expensive and considered professional instruments despite their low prices.

This was a strategic and and important cornerstone for gibson which was then under a company called CMI .

Not only were they opening the market for their more expensive electric guitars, but they also set the stage for future student models and less expensive successful guitars such as the Les Paul Junior, Les Paul TV , and Les Paul special models .

In 1954 Gibson introduced the Gibson Les Paul junior (JR) , it was a single cut mahogany solid body and neck , It had one p-90 single coil pickup with black covers , a wrap over stop tail piece , 22 fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays , 24.75" scale , nickel hardware , tuners with plastic buttons , Les Paul junior on gold on the peg head, and were made in yellow to brown sunburst finishes .

In mid 1958 Gibson changed the body of the Les Paul junior to a double rounded cutaway slab body, different pick guard shapes and were made in cherry finishes , this guitar is better known as the Gibson Les Paul JR double cutaway ( or double cut ) .

In 1961 the Gibson Les Paul junior featured an SG style body with 2 pointed horns , they had thinner mahogany bodies , were made in cherry red finishes and were discontinued under the name les paul junior in 1963 .

From 1963 to1971 gibson continued production with basicly the same guitars but were renamed the sg junior ( had no les paul logos on peghead ).

In 1986 to 1996 gibson reintroduced various gibson les paul juniors' with double and single cutaways in cherry, light brown sunburst , and tv yellow colors (were discontinued in 1996) .

During the 90s gibson also introduced several historic reissues and more junior model variations such as the '57 les paul jr. historic collection ( tv yellow finishes ) and the '60 les paul jr. historic collection ( cherry ) .

I also want to mention that in 1956 to 1961 gibson made few short scale les paul Junior models with 3/4 sized bodies and shorter necks on special orders . ( very rare today )

Vintage Price Value For 2009 :
1954 - 1955 > $8 500 to $14 500 ( Les Paul Junior )
1956 - 1958 > $7 000 to $11 000
1958 - 1961 > $5 500 to $7 500 ( double-cut )
1961 - 1963 > $3 400 to $4 800 ( SG-body )
1956 - 1961 > $3 400 to $4 000 ( Les Paul Junior 3/4 )

Note : the prices above are rounded off according to 4 different vintage price guides , be expecting a big spike in price on these guitars by next year as the demand gets higher and supply gets lower especially from 1954 to 1961 , already seen some 50's Gibson Les Paul juniors for sale at $10 000 and sold .

Comments

  1. Anonymous2:34 PM

    I have a mid 50s Les Paul Jr. I acquired back in 75.
    The guitar had been sanded down to its raw mahogany finish when i got it. Serial number had been sanded off too. I worked at a music store at the time and the Gibson rep confirmed it was an authentic Gibson Les Paul Jr.

    Anyhoo the guitar currently has gold grovers, a dual sound pickup and a badass bridge (I have the P-90, Klusons and original bridge).

    What's a bastardized LPJR with no serial number from the mid 50's worth?

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  2. Anonymous3:41 PM

    to Anonymous, I've seen 59 Les Paul Specials (2 pickups, TV Yellow) refinished and listed on ebay at $4,000 and not sell within a month. Since yours was stripped, it might be worth taking to a high end luthier to get it restored as well as possible. Still, it will not be worth near as much as a beat up one with the original finish. I'll give you $50 for it!

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  3. Anonymous11:07 AM

    Thanks for the response.
    Recently I've suspected my guitar was worth somewhere in the $2k range but one almost identical to mine sold on ebay last week for $3,400. The only difference was the ebay Junior still had the original serial number which is obviously huge. Thank you for your tempting $50 offer but I've got $100 in it so I'll have to pass.

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  4. Anonymous3:56 PM

    I have a brown sunburst les paul jr-2 pickups -2 knobs serial no.690456 w/hard case-plays well -it just says gibson on the neck -not les paul ---Can anyone tell me anything new about it -I think is is a 69 or 70 but I dont know what it is valued at but I love it -please any info appreciated -can contact me at reddog74q2@dctexas.net thanks !!!Danny

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  5. Anonymous10:07 AM

    I have a friend who has an absolutely mint Les Paul Junior guitar from 1957. His parents gave it to him as a kid and he never played it. It's in the original case, has the amplifier, strap, and even all the tags that were on the guitar when it was purchased (price was $144.50). He won't ever sell it, but was wondering the value of one in this pristine condition.

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  6. where would be the best place to find real vintage tuners for a 1955 les paul special? and does anyone know what kind they were?

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  7. Anonymous8:16 AM

    I'm not an expert but I'm pretty sure all 50's vintage LPs had Kluson gears. Try this site:

    http://www.kluson.com/PRODUCTS.htm

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  8. Anonymous8:16 PM

    Hi, just curious, the gibson les paul classics 90 to 93 had model on the headstock? Then 94 to 2006 have classic on the headstock? Now it seems gibson have gone back to putting model on the headstock for the 2007 classics. Would this be correct? Also i have a 94 les paul classic (cherry sunburst) with AAA flame in mint condition, i think they called this a premium plus. The neck seems to be inbetween a 50's and 60's not slim but not fat (strange) as my other classic i have has the conventional 60's slim tapered neck. What would be the asking price for my 94 classic? Thanks. Dave.

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  9. Anonymous12:20 PM

    I have a 1957 Les Paul Junior, starburst design (serial #611219) that has hardly ever been played. My father bought it from the original owner who also didn't play it more than a dozen times. There is not one scratch on the guitar, but the keys are cracking and breaking on their own. It's still in the original case with the original tags that came on the guitar. People are interested in buying it, but I don't know the value range for this guitar. Any ideas? feedback? I could really use some help or suggestions.

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  10. Anonymous5:07 PM

    re: the pristine 59 lp Jr - this is clearly a collector guitar, as such it commands a substantially higher price. Most musicians hesitate to play out with a cherry vintage guitar. a museum or hard core collector is the market for his item, but, it takes a long time to get top dollar. I would estimate 2007 price to be somewhere between $10,000 and $20,000 - it all depends on how much the buyer wants it and how much they are willing to spend.

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  11. Anonymous6:22 AM

    I have a 1954-1955 Les Paul Jr. single pick up. Original sunburst finish. In ok shape needs a little restore. Serial # on it is 7 6094. Using the serial number where do I go to find out what year it is. Ball park how much is it worth.

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  12. Anonymous6:31 PM

    i have 1964 les paul jr that still has the original serial number like to know the price range in good shape original color can some one help[ me

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  13. Anonymous8:43 AM

    I have a '54 jr. sunburst. My great uncle bought it new at the factory in 54. I took it to a shop in 1990 to have it restored. They wouldn't touch it because of the loss of value if you alter the original paint, tuners, etc. I wouldn't restore an old guitar unless you aren't concerned with the value.

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  14. Anonymous12:42 PM

    What kind of P90 is originally installed on 59' Lespaul Junior? Rythm or Trebble? Anyone knows?

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  15. Anonymous3:27 PM

    i have a double cut les paul jr. with two pick-ups, i think its a 1961. in original condition (needs little work.)how much is it worth?

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  16. Anonymous8:20 PM

    This last summer I stop at a rummage sale and bought a 61-63 (not sure on the excact year) for 25 bucks. It had been in storage since the 70s and in great shape. Not only did I score on the guitar but it came with the original case and a vintage tube amp. So next time you see a garage sale you might just want to stop. You never know.

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  17. I've got a Gibson SG with one pickup. I have yet to see-ANYWHERE- another guitar like it. The serial number is 812575.It is stamped "Made in USA " I bought it second hand in about 1975 or '76. The tuning pegs had already been replaced when I aquired it,but you can see from the original screw holes that the original tuning pegs were the "3 in a line " kind. The pickup is chrome-not black plastic.It's in good shape, a few nicks on the finish. Can anyone tell me anything about this guitar?I'd like to sell it .

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  18. Anonymous8:53 PM

    Sounds to me like it is a '73-'75. Here is a good site with lots of info http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibson.html

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  19. Anonymous4:00 PM

    I have a 1954 les paul jr. tv model.
    It was my grandpa's then he gave it to me. I love playing it and having it but i live in the ghetto and im not really that into having it around here. How much do you think i could sell this for?

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  20. Anonymous5:55 AM

    All these posts seem to want money. Hell, guys, it's a Les Paul - PLAY IT!

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  21. I came across what I believe to be a Les Paul Junior 3/4. However the strings never stay in tune for more than a few strums. Do you think I can take it to the local guitar tech and try to get it going or just hold on to it as an "object d'art"? It looks good otherwise.

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  22. ohh what is weird is that this guitar has 2 pickups, not the one, like the les junior and the pickguard is slightly different, very 50's though. Were there knockoffs of this guitar?

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  23. Anonymous6:56 PM

    Those of you with the 2 pickup jr`s-Do they say Junior on them?

    thanx

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  24. Anonymous7:09 PM

    I have never personally seen a 2 pickup junior that says Junior on the headstock.
    I know of guys that call there axes Jrs. but they actually are Les Pauls.Pretty common practice too.
    whadda-ya tink brotha?
    Tom g.

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  25. My dad has a 1954 gibson les paul tv spacial. He wants to give it a good home for the right price.
    josephbainbridge@hotmail.com
    Any quereys welcome.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous9:12 PM

    Les Paul Jr 1961 I believe. Serial #33884. No cracks, good shape. Grover keys put on 30 years ago. Patched holes from former wa wa bar. value?

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  27. Anonymous8:30 AM

    I have a '59 LP Jr double cut that's been stripped and refinished. It has a tung oil finish and an EMG-85 under a modified chrome P-90 dog ear cover. It has Nickle Grovers and a Leo Quan Badass bridge.

    Excellent player that sounds like no other. I only play custom built guitars now, so it never gets played anymore.

    $3000 and it's yours.

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  28. Anonymous1:47 PM

    LP Jrs have a single P-90 and has Les Paul on the headstock with JUNIOR underneath it. If it has two pickups, it's a TV.

    I have a '59 double cut LP Jr thats been stripped and has a tung oil finish, Grover tuners, Leo Quan BadA$$ bridge and an EMG pickup under a modified chrome P-90 dogear cover. It's a killer guitar.

    Fewer than 10,000 were made, so even if the finish isn't original, it's still worth a pretty penny.

    I will sell mine for $3000

    Send it back to Gibson and have it restored for about a grand and it would easily be worth a whole lot more.

    samhill@myrealbox.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous4:43 PM

    People: Double P-90's= Les Paul Special

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  30. Anonymous3:57 AM

    I bought a junior 1961 version in 1966 for £45.00 here in UK. It was originally beloning to Dave Edmunds (ROck Pile etc) It had a Bigsby tremelo the holding nut flew off and dug into a wall about 1/2 inch! It was stolen in 1972 or 3 or maybe 4? bit out of it then. I spoiled it by putting Seymour duncan pick up on it as everyone else seemed to have the SG 2 pick up by then. Also did a bit of Psycadaelic doodling. Mick Ralphs always trying to wrest it from me and gypsy / guiatrist sorry I can't remember the name down at RockfieldANYONE

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  31. Anonymous11:14 AM

    excuse me but i have a guitar and im not sure wat it is all it says is gibson at the top i will be very greatfull if u will take a guess if you want to take a guess email me at van_hellsing@hotmail.co.uk thank you once you email me i will send you a picture of it

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  32. One of my first band-mates in 9th grade had a Les Paul Junior. Even 30 years ago, he knew it was worth something.

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  33. Anonymous10:43 AM

    I own a 57 les paul jr tv model serial # 7 0525 I want to sell. Interested?

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  34. Al Kabong6:53 PM

    Have a mostly original '56 Single Cut Junior in Sunburst with original alligator case AND matching Les Paul Jr. Amp. Extra road case for the guitar too. Thingsforsale69@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous9:11 AM

    I learned to play guitar on my dads 58 cherry red Les Jr. I've still got it, sounds great....to address a question from above....This junior has double pick ups, double cutaways and says Les Paul junior on the headstock.

    Angie

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous7:07 PM

    NEED HELP finding a case for a 1959 Gibson Les Paul jr. doublecut.

    If anyone has any ideas on where to find a case that specifically FITS this size guitar, I would like to know.


    -Christopher

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous10:22 AM

    I just bought a 1961 les paul jr that is (factory black)condition is a 9.8 out of 10,barely played,how rare is the color,what price range should I consider,If I was going to sell it,thanks mike S

    ReplyDelete
  38. Anonymous11:14 AM

    hey i have for sale a 1956 Les Paul Junior. Has some nicks, dings, scratches and checking as expected for a 54 year-old guitar. Plays and sounds great with an awesome vintage vibe! Tuners replaced and the neck was refinished (I don't know when or why) although the headstock was not refinished and the inked-on serial numbers are clear. Original pickups. pots and bridge. Knobs changed. Faint (doesn't even show up in pic of back of headstock I have posted here) 3" long line runs from middle of headstock to just below neck/headstock joint that appears to be a scratch or surface crack. Non-original hardshell case included. any offers ????

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  39. Anonymous9:43 PM

    Just purchased a 1957 Les Paul Jr. VOS for an incredible price. This guitar has the vintage sunburst finish and is period correct from the fat neck to bumble bee capacitors. I just came across this site and have located very few reviews for the newer VOS models so I thought I'd put in my two cents. I'll start by saying I have owned a 1993 special, I know not the same but bear with me. I was not happy with the original P90s so I ordered a pair of Jason Lollar pups. It improved the sound dramatically. Simply put, that guitar cannot hold a candle to the '57 VOS both in build quality and sound. This thing has tone and sustain for days. I highly recommend the new Gibson Custom VOS Jrs. to everyone who is looking for the ultimate rock/blue/punk guitar!

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  40. Anonymous9:49 PM

    I just purchase a Jr. singlecut but noticed it doesn't sit quite right in a Standard Les Paul hardshell case. Does anyone know if the Jr. Requires a specific case and where I can pick one up at a decent price? Thanks.
    New Jr. Owner

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  41. Anonymous9:33 AM

    Hi. I'm willing to bid on a Gibson Les paul junior double cut that has been treated real bad by the owner when he was a teenager. He painted it with a rattle-can of impala blue bought at K-mart ... He even painted the headstock so there is no gibson logo nor serial number but the pots are from 1959 as well as the P-90 pick up.
    The Headstock has been repaired but the overall condition of the body seems quite good. I have a luthier friend that could do the refinish job.

    I am willing to know if there is any possibility to retrieve the logo/Serial N. under the painting? were the SN carved into the headstock or just printed with ink ?

    ReplyDelete
  42. Anonymous2:09 PM

    I have a 1957 Gibson Les Paul TV Special for sale. The one that was used for B&W TV back in the day. It is in great shape for a guitar of this age. Plays great, sounds so sweet and I hate to see it go but it's time for someone new to enjoy this classic, let me know if your interested.

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  43. Anonymous11:37 PM

    I HAVE A ORIGINAL 1953 LES PAUL JR. EVERYTHING ORIGINAL. EVEN THE STRINGS. IT IS IN AS GOOD OF SHAPE AS IF YOU BOUGHT A 1957 CHEVY 2 DOOR. PUT IT IN THE GARAGE AFTER DRIVING IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THEN IN 2010 BACKED IT OUT OF THE GARAGE.

    PLEASE E MAIL IF INTERESTED. GARYBKK@AOL.COM

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  44. Anonymous11:17 PM

    I have a 58' les junior with only 4 digit serial number. Its been sitting in a case for over 30 years and it almost in perfect condition.. Im looking to sell but it the floor to ceiling offer on this guitar?

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  45. I have a great 1958 cherry les paul jr. with all orginal parts from top to bottom except for the knobs. Everything else is in the 95% or better shape and a 100% neck and above
    Im looking to possibly sell guitar but only if i can get atleast 5k for it.
    Whats its real value?
    If I put it up on cosignment whats a fair price-range?

    ReplyDelete
  46. Anonymous8:15 PM

    I know nothing about guitar and their values, but I strongly suspect the Ebay seller (Ebay item no. 320544449773) is attempting to sell a 1956 Gison Les Paul Special they do not own. I discovered them doing that on a very expensive sterling tea set last week and reported them to Ebay and Paypal. Their efforts were judged to be a fraud when they attempted to sell the item at a price far below the true value. They first closed the auction and made contact with an Ebayer that previously asked them a question with Ebay proposing to sell them the item through moneybooker. Fake invoice with a moneybooker letterhead was sent advising the buyer to sent money to a fake agent. Moneybooker.com comfirmed the efforts to be a fraud. Pictures of the item they were attempting to sell were noted in an earlier Ebay auction listed by the actual owner. If you are aware of the origin of the guitar pictures they have used, please report them to Ebay. If you ask them for more pictures, I'm betting they can't provide them because they don't possess the guitar listed in the auction. Bidders beware and warn your friends.

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  47. Anonymous12:59 PM

    I have a Les Paul Jr. serial #613486. I e-mailed Gibson for the year the guitar was made and they said it was 1968. I took it to a local guitar shop in 1980 because it didn't sound to good (they said the pick-up was shot as well as the tail piece, wouldn't stay in tune either) they replaced the pick-up with a Bill Lawrence super distortion (was and still am into metal, and the tail piece with a tune-o-matic.) I play this guitar every day and it still sounds fantastic. It never goes out of tune, unless I really bend the strings, and it sustains FOREVER. I don't really care what it's worth because I don't ever plan on selling it, because it is going with me in my grave. I have played other guitars and there is nothing like I've ever heard or felt in my hands or my ears.

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  48. Anonymous3:00 PM

    I am really interested in any les paul jr's right now. I would really like to get one as I am younger and would love to have a vintage, neat guitar that I can kind of make my signature type of guitar to just hang on the and enjoy the rest of my life. Does anyone have anything they would entertain the idea of selling?

    You can email me at guitarvirtuoso@live.com and just mention it's from this forum because I've been looking to get one for a while and occasionally get emails from a couple other places I've inquired. Thanks so much though.

    David

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  49. Anonymous11:42 AM

    Anyone know the value of 1955 Les Paul Jr., single pickup, solid body #S7233?

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  50. Anonymous5:51 AM

    have 1958 single cut gibson dose not have les paul jr written on it. has no cover on the tuner keys,just exposed gears, have played it for years,holds a tune forever, all original, cherry wood sunburst, serial number, 8 2166, any ideals any one. i know they changed production in mid 1958, this i s all new to me

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  51. Anonymous3:07 PM

    1963 Les Paul Jr-came with P-90; factory-modified with Humbucker pickup (lots of begging). Single owner. Any comments or offers?

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  52. Anonymous3:11 PM

    1963 Les Paul Jr came with P-90; factory modified with Humbucker pickup; comments or value? Single owner.

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  53. Anonymous7:48 PM

    I have a 1956 Les Paul Jr that belonged to my grandfather. I also own 17 other guitars that range from $200 to $14000, and none of them plays or sounds nearly as good as my Jr. I can't believe that so many people are trying to sell off these potential heirlooms. I wish I had the cash, I would buy all of them up. My grandfather left me the LP Jr and a 1963 Gretsch Country Gentleman, and I wouldn't part with either of them for anything. I hope 20 years from now, those people looking for quick cash from these legendary guitars aren't kicking themselves in the butt.

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  54. Anonymous8:11 AM

    My husband is ready to part with his Les Paul Jr, 1954 guitar. Serial #510818. It is missing one of the knobs, the pic guard and neck tension cover. He is willing to part with it for $5,000.

    If you would like to see a picture of it, I can do that. Just email me at lcefalu@wi.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Anonymous5:10 AM

    I have a single cutaway JR that I believe is a 59 (serial number 9 1974). The serial number is readable but the guitar had been stripped down in the sometime prior to 1980. Any idea what the body and electronics might be worth ?
    Thx
    tego7 at hotmail dot com

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  56. I believe we have a 1954 Les Paul Sunburst. The abalone work was done at The Original E.U. Wurlitzer of Boston by Christine and was put together by the Famous Ed Murray. My boyfriend added a few things to make her his. I am trying to figure out how much she is worth as we are trying to get her insured. Pete Townsend and many others tried to purchase her and Mr. Murray would not sell her. The man who bought her for my boyfriend in 1980 paid thousands for her. If you would like to see some pictures, they are posted on Facebook at:
    http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=2089975336917&set=o.395376837058&type=1&theater

    Any help or information about this guitar would be appreciated. Oh yes, Dave changed out the pickups and saved them. I think he said the pickups that were in it were from 1956.

    Thanks for your help,
    Corenia

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  57. Anonymous4:13 PM

    I have an SG Jr. with the serial number 278688. All the hardware and pickguard, butter trem etc. seems to date it to 63' except there is no "Les Paul on the headstock. Can someone provide feedback on dating this? I have pics, but can't figure out how to attach them to this post.

    Fredoziptop@sbcglobal.net

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  58. Anonymous11:05 AM

    I have a 2002 Gibson Les Paul Jr with the serial number 02632455 with everything original except the volume knobs and the jack. How much do you think it could be worth?



    Thanks David

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  59. Anonymous10:20 PM

    I just bought a Gibson ES 335 today that is missing the orange serial tag inside the f hole..i was told its a 1960 or 1961 model...is there any other way to identify the year without the serial number?...any help would be appreciated...i can provide pictures to help identify it...please email me at rgates61@sbcglobal.net

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  60. I have a 1962 Les Paul, Jr., serial 85447. Headstock was snapped off in 1970, glued back on in 89. Repair is visible, but it still plays great. Anyone know the value?

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  61. My late husband's 1958 Les Paul, Jr (double rounded cutaway, cherry) was stolen from home (1997) at River North in Macon GA. He played it beautifully and so did our son (who he taught).

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