LP Jr. 2015-2018 Reissues

[zozoe]

Happy holidays to all!! I've got GAS for one of these tobacco burst single pup, single cutaway, & there are several variations. Is there any one particular run that stands out as a more solid build than the others? I see one with the olde style Gibson logo, one that has LP100 inked onto the h'stock, another that says LP Junior, & yet another with a big JUNIOR on the truss cover.

For about 900 bills in looking at at a 2018, LP Junior on the stock, blank truss cover, & all else standard....

Any tips or trends on these different builds?

Many thanks in advance.

>>40 yrs ago I had & gigged with both, a '54 Jr. & a '59 Special,,, I had,, but no longer do & I want something... Here are the pics... having a 2 pup Special would be nice, but I also used to have a 90's reissue, & it didn't feel right.... I like the way THIS one looks,,,, G.A.S.

 

[PFDarkside]

The 2015 was... weird. I had to sell because i could not get used to it.

 

[Wattage]

Avoid 2015

the 2019’s are excellent

 

[ErikH]

If anybody knows, this guy ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ does!

 

[ItsaBass]

I agree.

Avoid the late Henry J. years. Gibson was at their worst at that point. Far worse than they ever were under Norlin, in terms of basic quality of craftsmanship. Get a 2019 or 2020 Junior. All have been excellent in my experience.

Every standard production Henry J. era Gibson I have ever tried – and I have been trying them since the '90s, scores per year in shops – has needed a fret shaping and polish, and nut work right out of the box. I mean that; no exaggeration. I have never played one that met my personal standards for frets and nuts. Every one I have ever owned and opened up has has had router flash in the cavities and sup-par finish work. Again, when I use the word "every," I am not exaggerating.

My 2019 SG had near perfect frets right out of the box. The nut was cut properly. The finish is flawless. I can say the same of about 30 other 2019 and 2020 Gibsons that I have laid hands on in shops. Not sheer perfection every time, but at least they are actually trying for it now.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

I have a 2012 Jr double cut. It's basically the same guitar. I had to get the nut replaced because the factory one had such poorly cut slots. The guitar would not stay in tune for more than one song. Turned out it was the nut causing all the problems.

I'll also say that the stock bridge is garbage. They use Zamack as the alloy for it and it contributes to a dark tone - especially on the lower strings. I changed my bridge to a Pigtail intonatable wraparound (which is machined aluminum) . Not only was the intonation better, but I kid you not it completely changed the tone of the guitar. All that darkness vanished. It sounded instantly lighter and jangly.

Anyway that's my experience with them. Oh and dont take the pickguard off unless you want to see the sloppy shoddy job of finishing a neck joint that Gibson does.