1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

[jonnymangia]

I might buy a 1988 LP Jr. and I'm wondering what that vintage is like. I know the company was having major financial problems and I'm wondering if it affected QC.

J

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: 1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

I woudl say without a doubt...yea...play before you buy if you can at all...

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: 1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

That's shortly after Henry bought Gibson- dead nuts center in shredder years...

It could go either way- a friend had a late 80s early 90s Jr that he absolutely loved.

 

[JeffB]

Re: 1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

Most of my best Gibsons were from the late 80s and I bought a ton of 'em back then.....and one from 93-ish was my fave ever...generally I think those late 80s guitars are "good".

Don't buy it without playing unless you have a good return policy, tho.

 

[jonnymangia]

Re: 1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

Unfortunately I can't play it. I live in NY and the guitar is in Arizona!

Here's another nice one I found. It's an Orville. Do you think the nice Japanese clones will appreciate in value?

http://www.guitargai.com/html_folder/gai_orvilleA.html#

 

[JeffB]

Re: 1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

I know nothing about the orvilles...pretty axe tho.

I would, If I were you, purchase one of the LP Jrs from Musicians Friend. General concensus is they are alot of bang for the buck..even the overly anal guys over at the LPF can't seem to find much issue with them. I think a couple forum members here have them as well.

Good price...and you've got 45 days to give it a workout.

 

[jonnymangia]

Re: 1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

I know nothing about the orvilles...pretty axe tho.

I would, If I were you, purchase one of the LP Jrs from Musicians Friend. General concensus is they are alot of bang for the buck..even the overly anal guys over at the LPF can't seem to find much issue with them. I think a couple forum members here have them as well.

Good price...and you've got 45 days to give it a workout.

Jeff, which LP forum are you referring to? At Gibson.com?

 

[JeffB]

Re: 1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

www.lespaulforum.com

 

[junior]

Re: 1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

I have an '87 lp jr double cut that totally rocks! But you probably want to play first, knowing gigson quality issues.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: 1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

Jeff, which LP forum are you referring to? At Gibson.com?

Before you go to the LPF, remember that it is "dedicated to the discussion of the Gibson Les Paul..."

 

[Wattage]

Re: 1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

My '87 Gibby LP Jr.was one of the best guitars I owned. Ditch the stock pickup and drop in a Duncan then change the tuners if they are still stock. They had great necks and generally were 2 piece bodies as long as they weren't a solid color, they would likely be 3 piece like my '90 Special.

Probably a little hard to see it well in this pic -

 

[Captain Tightpants]

Re: 1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

Those older Orvilles are supposed to be really good.

 

[jonnymangia]

Re: 1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

I know the Jr. is a balls-to-the-wall rocker. How are the cleans on it?

 

[Bombay]

Re: 1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

Unfortunately I can't play it. I live in NY and the guitar is in Arizona!

Here's another nice one I found. It's an Orville. Do you think the nice Japanese clones will appreciate in value?

http://www.guitargai.com/html_folder/gai_orvilleA.html#

In my opinion the Orville's are better than the late 80's Gibson's. The Orville's tend to be spot on with the details. Now with that being said, you have to get the Orville's that were built in Japan and not Korea. To distinguish the two, Japanese built ones have a stamped serial # - the Korean have stickered serial #'s.

 

[junior]

Re: 1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

I agree with Mr. Nasty- change the tuners and replace the pup. the original pup was great, but a little bit too low of output and a bit microphonic. i put a Lindy Fralin %15 overwound in it, and thats a great pup.

 

[Alvin Lee Fan]

Re: 1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

In my opinion the Orville's are better than the late 80's Gibson's. The Orville's tend to be spot on with the details. Now with that being said, you have to get the Orville's that were built in Japan and not Korea. To distinguish the two, Japanese built ones have a stamped serial # - the Korean have stickered serial #'s.

Another good quality indicator is if it says "Orville by Gibson"

I really like the Orvilles and that Jr is a killer! I'd buy it! :cool3:

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: 1980's Les Paul Jr.'s

The new guys took over in '86. By '88, I'm sure things were going well quality-wise. My Les Paul Custom is an '87 and it's one of the best I've ever played. Play the junior 1st and see what you think.