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Average Price: $896
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Description
The Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P-90 is a revival of a classic, blending vintage charm with modern reliability to create a guitar that’s as timeless as it is versatile. This electric guitar takes inspiration from the early Les Paul Special models, yet it stands apart with its distinct character and iconic P-90 pickups. These pickups, crafted with Alnico V magnets, deliver a raw, gritty tone that’s perfect for players who crave that classic mid-century rock and blues sound.
Its solid mahogany body and neck offer a warm resonance and sustain, while a rosewood fingerboard provides smooth playability. The satin finish not only adds to the guitar's aesthetic appeal but also allows for comfortable handling during long gigs or practice sessions. Whether you're jamming in a garage or performing on stage, the Les Paul Junior Special P-90 is built to deliver a powerful performance. Experience the nostalgia of yesteryear with the reliability of today.
Key Features:
- Solid mahogany body and neck
- Rosewood fingerboard for smooth playability
- Iconic P-90 pickups with Alnico V magnets
- Satin finish for comfortable handling
- Vintage-inspired design with modern reliability
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | Les Paul Junior Special P90 |
| Finish | Gloss Ebony, Gloss Heritage Cherry, Gloss Tobacco Sunburst, Gloss Yellow, Satin Ebony, Satin Heritage Cherry, Satin Tobacco Sunburst, Satin Yellow |
| Year | 2012 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | Single Cutaway |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Stop-Bar |
| Color Family | Black, Brown, Red, Yellow |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Fretboard Material | Maple |
| Model Family | Gibson Les Paul |
| Model Sub-Family | Gibson Les Paul Junior Special |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | SS |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
FAQs
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What type of pickups does the Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P-90 use?
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The Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P-90 features P-90 pickups, known for their bright, punchy sound with more midrange bite compared to humbuckers, making them versatile for various music genres.
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Is the Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P-90 suitable for beginners?
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Yes, the Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P-90 is suitable for beginners due to its straightforward design, comfortable playability, and iconic sound, making it an excellent choice for learning and performing.
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What is the neck profile of the Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P-90?
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The Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P-90 typically features a slim taper neck profile, providing a comfortable and fast playing experience, ideal for both rhythm and lead playing.
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How does the sound of P-90 pickups in the Gibson Les Paul Junior Special compare to humbuckers?
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P-90 pickups in the Gibson Les Paul Junior Special offer a brighter, more articulate tone with a pronounced midrange, differing from the warmer, thicker sound of humbuckers, making them great for styles like blues and rock.
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What materials are used in the construction of the Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P-90?
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The Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P-90 is constructed with a mahogany body and neck, and a maple fretboard, which contribute to its warm tone and sustain.
Videos
Wildwood Guitars
Gibson Les Paul Junior Special • SN: 105221456
Gibson Les Paul Junior Special • SN: 105221456
Wildwood Guitars
Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P90's Satin Vintage Sunburst - Quick Look @ PMT Portsmouth
PMTV Portsmouth
Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P90's in Satin Yellow - Quick Look @ Nevada Music UK
PMTV Portsmouth
Gibson Les Paul Junior Special • SN: 101820351
Wildwood Guitars
Gibson Les Paul Junior Special • SN:101920686
Wildwood Guitars
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional P-90 pickups offer dynamic, versatile tone with clarity and bite
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Lightweight and resonant body delivers traditional Les Paul sound
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Comfortable neck and excellent playability for smooth barre chords and bends
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Nitro finish enhances aesthetics and durability
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High value for price, considered a great find before prices rise
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Reliable tuning stability for consistent performance
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Baked maple fretboard offers a unique look and feel
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Bound fretboard provides an upgraded playing experience
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Simplistic yet elegant design with quality mahogany body
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Ideal platform for modifications and personal customization
CONS
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Satin finish models prone to flaking and marring
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High action may require adjustment for optimal playability
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P-90.
Mods and upgrades
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Owners recommend replacing the imported toggle switch and pots with higher-quality components for improved reliability and performance.
Source
Features and functionality
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The Les Paul Junior Special often features baked maple fretboards, which some find visually appealing and smooth to play.
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Despite its name, this model has two pickups and a Nashville bridge, unlike the traditional single-pickup Juniors with wraparound tailpieces.
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A single P90 pickup in the Junior can naturally overdrive a clean amp like the Vox AC15 at low volumes without pedals, providing dynamic responsiveness.
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The Les Paul Special TV Yellow includes a wraparound bridge, which adds a distinct tonal character that some find more appealing compared to other bridge types.
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User experience
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Some players with larger hands find the neck too thin, preferring a thicker 50s-style neck profile instead.
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Some players find the Les Paul toggle switch placement problematic, occasionally hitting it while playing, which makes the Junior's simpler design more appealing.
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The simplicity of the Junior is praised for encouraging players to explore tone and volume knobs, which can lead to a broader range of sound exploration.
Source
Build quality
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The hardware quality is noted as subpar, with some components like the toggle switch failing relatively early in the guitar's life.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The Junior is preferred by some for its simplicity and punk aesthetics, while the Special offers additional tonal options with its two P90 pickups, appealing to those seeking versatility.
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Players highlight the freeing experience of a single pickup setup on the Junior, which can inspire a more bold and adventurous playing style.
Source
Comparisons
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The Special is noted to be brighter and offers more tonal warmth with its two pickups compared to the Junior, which is described as slightly duller but with an awesome neck feel.
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The Les Paul Special TV Yellow is noted for its edge in tonal versatility, especially for players who favor neck pickups, contrasting with the Junior’s single pickup dynamic.
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The Junior is compared to the Lukas Nelson model for its satin finish appeal, which is preferred by those who dislike gloss finishes.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 8 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
In a user-uploaded photo from Dailymail, Ronnie Wood is shown playing a Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P-90.
In this photo, Jay can be seen using a Gibson P-90.
At 0:02 in this video, we can see Zacky playing this guitar
Brian Bell of Weezer is seen using a Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P-90 during their performance of "Island in the Sun" at Rock am Ring 2005, as shown in a YouTube video by Kartentaucher. This guitar was likely used throughout their 2005 performances, including other notable events like Hard Rock.
In this photo, Jim is playing with a Yellow Les Paul Jr. P-90
In this photo from a Tumblr for Tegan and Sara's gear, Tegan Quin can be seen playing a Satin Cherry Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P-90 electric guitar.
In this image Roddy can be seen playing the Les Paul Special with The Specials.
Artur bought one around 1996, when Myslovitz were about to release their second album 'Sun Machine'. Since then, the Gibson Les Paul Special has remained one of his main guitars. For example, we can see him play it in a live performance in Polsat (1996), live version of 'Milosc w czasach popkultury' in TVP (2000) (can bee seen in 4:25), or 2005 anniversary concert.
Album Usage
The Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P-90 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 Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P-90, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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