Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $4,625
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Immerse yourself in the legacy of music with the 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior. This iconic instrument is a testament to Gibson's commitment to craftsmanship, quality, and sonic excellence, offering an authentic and accurate reissue that celebrates Gibson's rich history.
Originally marketed as a budget model for students in the 1950s, the Les Paul Junior quickly caught the attention of professional guitarists who fell in love with its pure tone and minimalist design. Its simplicity was its strength, unencumbered by unnecessary components, it delivered a raw, unfiltered sound that still resonates today.
The 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior is a celebration of this iconic design, maintaining the same recipe that defined the original. Crafted from solid mahogany and constructed with hide glue, it offers a robust and resonant tone. Its vintage-style wiring ensures a faithful reproduction of the original's sound, making this reissue a dream come true for musicians and collectors alike.
The 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior is not just a guitar, it's an experience – an invite to be "ruined" by its excellence, and a chance to own a piece of music history.
Key Features:
- Gibson Custom Shop Reissue
- Solid Mahogany construction
- Vintage-style wiring
- Minimalist design for pure, unfiltered sound
- Iconic Les Paul Junior model
- Crafted with hide glue for an authentic vintage feel
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Body Shape | Les Paul Junior |
| Body Material | 1-piece Mahogany |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | Chunky C |
| Neck Joint | Set Neck |
| Radius | 12" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Pearloid Dots |
| Number of Frets | 22, Medium Jumbo |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
| Nut Width | 1.687" |
| Nut Material | Nylon |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Wraparound Stopbar |
| Tuners | Kluson Single Line |
| Bridge Pickup | Custom Dog-ear P90 Single-coil |
| Controls | 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone |
| Strings | Gibson, .010-.046 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Hardshell Case |
FAQs
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What makes the 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior unique compared to other Les Paul models?
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The 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior is known for its simplicity and raw tone, featuring a single P90 pickup and a solid mahogany body. It's designed for straightforward playability with fewer controls, making it popular for its pure, unadulterated sound.
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What kind of music is the 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior best suited for?
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The Les Paul Junior's P90 pickup delivers a punchy, midrange-rich tone, making it ideal for rock, punk, and blues. Its straightforward design and powerful sound suit players looking for a raw, vintage vibe.
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How does the neck profile of the 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior affect playability?
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The 1957 Les Paul Junior features a "Chunky C" neck profile, offering a substantial feel that's comfortable for players who prefer a thicker neck. This design provides solid support for chord work and bending.
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Is the 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior suitable for beginners?
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While the 1957 Les Paul Junior is simple and straightforward, its historical significance and unique tone make it more appealing to experienced players. Beginners might appreciate its simplicity, but it's often valued by those seeking a vintage sound.
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What type of pickup is used in the 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior, and how does it influence the sound?
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The 1957 Les Paul Junior is equipped with a Custom Dog-ear P90 single-coil pickup, known for its bright, punchy, and dynamic sound. This pickup delivers a strong midrange presence, making it ideal for cutting through a mix.
Videos
Guitarist
Single-pickup guitar review round-up: modern electrics vs 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior
Single-pickup guitar review round-up: modern electrics vs 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior
Guitarist
1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior played by Joey Landreth
Carter Vintage Guitars
Gibson 1957 Les Paul Junior Single Cut | N Stuff Music Product Review
N Stuff Music
Joe Bonamassa: The 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior
Guitar World
Gibson Les Paul Junior from 1957 presented by Tobias Hoffmann & Vintage Guitar Oldenburg
Vintage Guitar Oldenburg
1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior
True Vintage Guitar
Reviews
PROS
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Extremely resonant, almost acoustic-like sound when unplugged
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Classic Gibson neck, reminiscent of the '59 dot neck
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P90 pickups offer magical, big fat beefy tone with great definition
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Lightweight compared to other Les Paul models
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Perfect neck profile, praised by vintage guitar enthusiasts
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Old nitro lacquer provides an unparalleled vintage feel
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Highly recommended for its great tone and vibe, especially for blues/rock
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Easy adaptation for non-hum stage performance with P19 MiniHumbucker
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Solid playability and reliable tuning stability
CONS
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Quality control issues reported, including smudges and swirl marks
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Paint defects and splintering on fretboard noted in some cases
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior.
Value and pricing
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Original 1957 Gibson Les Paul Juniors range between $10,000-$14,000, depending on condition, with some listings even reaching $20,000.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The 1957 Les Paul Junior is celebrated for its punk rock appeal and is also linked to iconic performances, like Leslie West at Woodstock.
Source
User experience
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Owners highlight the Junior's pickup as exceptionally powerful, with descriptions likening it to a "hot knife through butter."
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Gibson's customer service is praised for swift resolutions and occasional inclusion of extra items like gig bags and accessories, enhancing customer satisfaction.
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A 150-page book titled "50 Years of the Gibson Les Paul" was sometimes sent as a gift, reflecting Gibson's appreciation for customer feedback.
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Owners describe the guitar as lightweight and resonant, emphasizing its impressive sustain qualities.
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A user who disliked an original 1955 model attributes the experience to old strings and an improper setup, highlighting the importance of maintenance.
Source
Comparisons
Build quality
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 7 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
Billie's 1956 Les Paul Junior (Floyd) was used on Warning, American Idiot, 21st Century Breakdown, and so on.
Zakk received this guitar from Ozzy in the early 80s, as a present for his birthday (most likely his 21st). It’s his main go-to guitar for clean stuff in the studio, but he never uses it live.
Zakk’s Les Paul Junior was made in 1957, and it features a single-cutout body shape with sunburst finish, and a single P-90 pickups in the bridge position.
As seen on his official website, Joe has a classic 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior in his collection.
Mark Knopfler acquired this guitar from Nationwide Guitars in Columbia, Maryland, in December 2005. Guitar tech Glenn Saggers told that, once purchased, every guitar would spend time in Mark’s hands so he could get an idea of the sound and where a particular guitar might fit in a particular song. Although tried during the recording process, this Les Paul Junior ultimately never made it onto a record. From time to time, Knopfler kept this guitar in his study for home use.
In this video of Kings of Leon playing back down south in 2022, Matthew Followill is playing a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior. This can be seen numerous times throughout the video, especially at 12 seconds in.
Chris mentions this guitar has a custom tailpiece and that “this guitar forever was the ‘Stupid Boy’ guitar - drop D capo one.” Chris is Keith Urban's guitar tech shows the Gibson 57 Les Paul Junior at 21:20 of this "Rig Rundown" with Premier Guitar.
Andy Shernoff from the Dictators posted this polaroid of Sid playing his (Andy's) Les Paul Junior. No date is listed, but I'd guess 1977-78 as Sid still looks pretty good.
https://equipboardeevidence.tumblr.com/post/657540006288703488/sid-vicious-andy-shernoff
In this performance of Slash N Burn The Manics frontman can be seen using a gibson LP junior.
In the provided image, Billy Idol is seen playing a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior.
At 0.50 in this video Jonny talks about his '57 Les Paul Junior.
Dave used the Les Paul Junior during the sessions for Steve Hogarth's 'Ice Cream Genius' album in 1996.
John played this Gibson Les Paul Junior maybe most noticably at Glastonbury 1997 ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc60T9S-8TY&list=RDGMEM6ijAnFTG9nX1G-kbWBUCJAVMPc60T9S-8TY&start_radio=1). He still uses it and can be seen using it in 2016 at the Isle of Wight festival ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TK7hVTimZQ ). Pretty sure he's constiantly used it over the years, swapping between the LP and his Fender Esquire during gigs!
Album Usage
The 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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