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Average Price: $896

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Description

The Les Paul Junior Special P-90 Satin Ebony is a testament to classic style and sound, offering a powerful yet straightforward musical experience. Crafted for musicians who crave the raw, unfiltered tones that only a P-90 pickup can deliver, this guitar is a nod to the early days of rock. Its satin finish not only feels great in hand but also allows the natural resonance of the solid mahogany body to shine. With a simple yet effective setup, it strips away the non-essential, leaving you with pure, expressive sound.

Equipped with two meticulously crafted P-90 pickups, this guitar captures that vintage vibe while delivering modern reliability and performance. The pickups are made with genuine Alnico V magnets, ensuring you capture every nuance, from the lightest brush of the strings to full-on power chords. The rosewood fingerboard and slim-taper neck provide a comfortable playing experience, encouraging long sessions without fatigue. Whether you're on stage or in the studio, this instrument offers a timeless aesthetic and sound that stands out in any setting.

This guitar doesn't just echo the past; it reimagines it for the modern player seeking authenticity and simplicity. From its robust tone to its elegant design, the Les Paul Junior Special P-90 is perfect for those who appreciate the balance of tradition and innovation in their music-making tools.

Key Features:

  • Solid mahogany body for rich, resonant tones
  • Two P-90 pickups with Alnico V magnets
  • Slim-taper neck for comfortable playability
  • Rosewood fingerboard for smooth, warm tones
  • Satin finish for enhanced resonance and feel

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

What kind of tones can I expect from the P-90 pickups on the Les Paul Junior Special?

The Gibson P-90 soapbar single-coil pickups deliver a bright, punchy sound with a gritty edge, perfect for rock, blues, and punk genres. They provide a strong midrange presence and can handle both clean and overdriven tones effectively.

How does the slim-taper neck on the Les Paul Junior Special affect playability?

The slim-taper mahogany neck offers a fast, comfortable playing experience, making it ideal for players who prefer a thinner neck profile. This design enhances playability for both rhythm and lead guitarists.

Is the Les Paul Junior Special P-90 suitable for beginners?

While the Les Paul Junior Special P-90 is a high-quality instrument, its straightforward design and versatile sound make it accessible for beginners, especially those interested in rock and blues styles.

Does the Les Paul Junior Special P-90 come with a hard case or gig bag?

Typically, the Les Paul Junior Special P-90 comes with a gig bag, but it's advisable to check with the retailer for specific packaging details.

What is the finish type of the Les Paul Junior Special P-90 Satin Ebony?

The Les Paul Junior Special P-90 Satin Ebony features a nitrocellulose satin finish, which allows the guitar to resonate more freely and develop a unique patina over time.

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Les Paul Junior Special • SN:101920686

Video thumbnail for Gibson Les Paul Junior Special  •  SN:101920686 by Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Les Paul Junior Special • SN:101920686

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional P-90 pickups offer dynamic, rich tone with clarity and bite

  • Lightweight and resonant, delivering traditional Les Paul sound

  • Comfortable neck with excellent playability for chords and bends

  • Bound fretboard considered a nice upgrade by many users

  • Reliable tuning stability enhances performance confidence

  • High-quality craftsmanship at a reasonable price point

  • Versatile tone suitable for a wide range of musical genres

  • Nitro finish enhances aesthetic appeal and protection

  • Great platform for modifications and personal customization

CONS

  • Satin finish prone to flaking and marring

  • Action may require adjustment out-of-the-box

  • Baked maple fretboard may not appeal to traditionalists

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Les Paul Junior Special P-90.

Setup and maintenance

  • Adjusting the truss rod and bridge, and oiling the fretboard eliminated fret buzz without affecting amplified sound.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners find P-90 pickups improve tonally over time, enhancing their enjoyment as they play more.

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  • A yellow variant owner prefers this guitar over their Gibson LPs, highlighting its unexpectedly frequent use.

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  • Owners find the Pelham Blue finish on 2018 LP Classic models particularly appealing, adding visual value alongside tonal quality.

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Value and pricing

  • Owners find it remarkable to acquire a full guitar with P-90s for less than the price of a single high-end pickup.

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  • 1990s Les Paul Specials are noted for superior P90 sound and build, often preferred over modern Specials and Tributes.

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Comparisons

  • Compared to an AmPro2 Strat, the Les Paul Junior Special feels lighter and more comfortable, while the Strat is described as big and stiff.

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  • Users transitioning from Revstar P-90s note the lighter weight and enjoyable playability of this guitar, despite the Revstar's buttery neck and articulate pickups.

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  • The SG Special with wraparound bridge offers a distinct bite, likened to a Telecaster, albeit less twangy, when paired with P90s.

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Build quality

  • Despite the bolt-on neck, it provides significant resonance and sustain, defying expectations.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Lindy Fralin offers humbucker-sized P90s, making it easy to convert a Les Paul with humbucker routes to P90s without wood modification.

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  • For those interested in learning, swapping pickups on an inexpensive Epiphone with Dimarzio DP167s can dramatically enhance sound quality.

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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brian_krashpad

An inexpensive Gibson!

Despite Gibson's ridiculous model name, this is a Les Paul Special. Not a "Junior." Mine has a satin ebony finish and a bound baked maple fretboard, which honestly is virtually indistinguishable from rosewood. P-90s rock! Would've preferred the gloss model, or TV Yellow, but bought on closeout.

jimmarchi1

does yours have binding on the neck, generally they call them junior specials when they have 2 pickups but no binding.... I had a TV yellow one like that for some time.

brian_krashpad

Yes mine has binding on the fretboard. The traditional and custom dividing line between the 2 P-90 flat top Les Pauls is simple: Junior = 1 dogear, Special = 2 soapbars. Binding traditionally did not enter into the equation. I have had 2 "Junior Specials" (again, both were actually Specials), one had P-100 stacked soapbars, a glossy ebony finish, and no fretboard binding, and my current one has proper P-90s, a satin ebony finish, and a bound fretboard. Here's a link to my current actual (not stock model generic shot) guitar:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8085/8432194157_744a2e3e80_b.jpg

Artist usage

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See how Jack Doris uses Les Paul Junior Special P-90

Jack Doris

Singer, Guitarist

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Genre Usage

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