Swapping a Gibson Les Paul Junior for a Fender Mustang Special?

Frazer Stockton

Frazer Stockton

New member
I walked into a small guitar shop in my local city, and found a blue fender mustang pawnshop special. It played AMAZINGLY and sounds really diverse. It was one of the moments you hear everyone talk about, when the guitar "melts" into your fingers and feels awesome. I thought i had found a complete GEM! The price on the tag was £650 though.

I got talking to the manager, and he offered me the possibility of a swap (pending condition) of a white Gibson Les Paul Junior (2009) with grover tuners and strap locks for the mustang.

I'm just wondering what the opinion on here would be about this? Is that a good swap, is the pawnshop mustang worth a les paul junior? or is it just something Fender can knock up really cheap, and is likely to break and run into 1000 problems?

I have to admit I do adore the Gibson, however I bought it during a stage of my life where Green Day heavily influenced my style (Don't judge!!) and i've since grown out of it. I do like the punchy les paul however this mustang really does sing.

Even if there's anyone who owns a Mustang, and likes certain aspects about them, i'd love to hear it. I'm really considering the deal.

Kind Regards

Frazer
 
Re: Swapping a Gibson Les Paul Junior for a Fender Mustang Special?

Your USA made Gibson is worth more and extremely more desireable than any non US made Fender. The shop knows this and is hoping to take advantage of you.

It's a no brainer for the shop, and if he's at least a half assed salesman, he'll nit pick your Gibson and end up getting you to pay boot on the trade. I see it everyday and often wonder how people can be talked into such things.

Your Gibson is worth $600 to $800 on the USED market.

That Fender will be worth $250 to $350 the minute you walk out the door with it.

Doesn't matter which plays better or sounds better. It's about desireability and monetary worth.
 
Re: Swapping a Gibson Les Paul Junior for a Fender Mustang Special?

Ah thanks for the heads up. I might try haggling for a used fender mustang if i ever come across one, in light of that info ;)

I really liked the guitar, it's something i would consider buying
 
Re: Swapping a Gibson Les Paul Junior for a Fender Mustang Special?

if you really want the guitar go for it.

id keep the Les Paul though.

and I'm the Fender guy.
 
Re: Swapping a Gibson Les Paul Junior for a Fender Mustang Special?

IMO, the Fender PS Mustang is a more versatile guitar but, through the right amplification, the simplicity of the Junior is its strength. On a single pickup guitar, there is no place to hide. You gotta play something good.

EDIT - Frazer, I just looked at your profile gear list. The reason why the Gibson may not be satisfying you is because of the Marshall MG amplifier. That guitar needs valves.

The other thing that might help is a better pickup.
 
Last edited:
Re: Swapping a Gibson Les Paul Junior for a Fender Mustang Special?

The few new LP Jr's I've picked up were dogs. American made, but dogs nonetheless. They are the cheapest USA made Gibson you can find. Also, they're $830 new, so they are not going to fetch that on the used market. They're around $600 used. So, consider that value on trade and see whether the Mustang is worth it. 60-70% of new is normal for just about every piece of gear (except vintage).
 
Re: Swapping a Gibson Les Paul Junior for a Fender Mustang Special?

Just my two cents worth....

Brand new, your guitar and the Mustang are about the same price. Your Lp is used and the Mustang is new. So in actuality, the Mustang is worth about $300 more than your LP. (Yes, once you walk away from the store with your Mustang, it is used and worth up to $100 less than your LP).

But, you had one of those "moments" with the Fender and it sounds like you aren't that crazy about the Paul. The really important thing here is not a few dollars one way or the other, but which guitar is going to inspire you. Which one are you going to enjoy and therefore play more? Which one will help you to progress and become a better player? Which one do you love?

I would say go for the trade and get a guitar that you love to play. You'll be happier in the long run.


PS...Agree, get rid of the MG and get a decent amp which will inspire you even more. When you start getting good tones, you will love playing and it will all be worth it.



.
 
Re: Swapping a Gibson Les Paul Junior for a Fender Mustang Special?

Thanks for the replies everyone, i really appreciate them. I'll have a good think about it. I might just start a saving fund for the fender. Alot of people have told me "never sell a good guitar, you wont find it again!!" so i may hold onto it for now. I do play through a JCM900 50w combo when i practice, i just havent updated that darn profile in years :P

I hope i find another mustang that melts into my hands the way that one did though!
 
Re: Swapping a Gibson Les Paul Junior for a Fender Mustang Special?

Well, if you are playing the Gibson LP Junior through a high gain Marshall, this can mean only one of three things;
1) You need to turn up the midrange on the amp.
2) The guitar really does suck.
3) Pilot error.

If the Mustang seems to do it for you, buy it. Sell some of your cheapies to raise the funds.
 
Re: Swapping a Gibson Les Paul Junior for a Fender Mustang Special?

Frazer Stockton said:
Thanks for the replies everyone, i really appreciate them. I'll have a good think about it. I might just start a saving fund for the fender. Alot of people have told me "never sell a good guitar, you wont find it again!!" so i may hold onto it for now. I do play through a JCM900 50w combo when i practice, i just havent updated that darn profile in years :P

I hope i find another mustang that melts into my hands the way that one did though!
Click to expand...

Well, it's not like you couldn't get another Les paul junior, I just don't recommend it. The Les Paul junior is a guitar I wouldn't give up if I had one, the mustang special is a decent guitar, *I* personally don't jive with it. Maybe it's because I'm used to playing my 78 and the newer versions feel like toys.
 
Re: Swapping a Gibson Les Paul Junior for a Fender Mustang Special?

Powdered Toast Man said:
The few new LP Jr's I've picked up were dogs. American made, but dogs nonetheless. They are the cheapest USA made Gibson you can find. Also, they're $830 new, so they are not going to fetch that on the used market. They're around $600 used. So, consider that value on trade and see whether the Mustang is worth it. 60-70% of new is normal for just about every piece of gear (except vintage).
Click to expand...

Are you sure you're not thinking of the Melody Maker? The ones you'd see at GC for $399?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top