1957 Les Paul Junior Reissue with Bigsby, Light Aged Vintage Sunburst

The Gibson Custom Select 1957 Les Paul™ Junior, Vintage Sunburst, Bigsby® is a unique combination of deluxe appointments on a stripped-down model. Gibson Custom Select is a collection of guitars with rare features like unique hardware and striking finishes. Made in small batches by the artisans at Gibson Custom, these guitars are special creations with handpicked features. While the 1957 Les Paul Junior was not originally offered with a Bigsby tailpiece or an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic™ bridge, this guitar could have been made with this configuration during the 50s, perhaps as a special order. All the other vintage specifications that come as standard on a production Junior are featured on this special Gibson Custom Select iteration.

Originally developed as a student-level guitar, the Les Paul Junior is capable of powerful and expressive tones. Played by guitarists from bands like The Clash and Green Day, the Junior is known for its stripped-down characteristics. Powered by a single Dogear P-90 pickup with an easily accessible control layout, this guitar is a no-frills rock machine. A mahogany neck with an unbound rosewood fingerboard featuring dot inlays continues the trend of simplicity in the construction of the guitar. The silkscreen logos on the headstock and single-ply pickguard finish offset the modest appearance.

This guitar is an example of an instrument that could have been made in 1957 if Gibson had offered a Les Paul Junior with a vibrato. Models like the ES-345 and Les Paul Custom had a Bigsby as an option from the factory, so it’s not too far from reality. Known for their smooth characteristics and stylish looks, Bigsby vibratos pair well with the full-bodied tones that are produced by Gibson guitars. To make sure the strings have a solid contact point to the body, an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge has taken the place of the usual wraparound tailpiece. The ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge also allows the guitar to be more finely intonated than the normal wraparound tailpiece. Grooved saddles ensure that the strings stay put while strumming or using the vibrato.

This Les Paul Junior is a cool take on a beloved model. Whether it is used for adding some movement to chords or during the climax of a solo, the Bigsby adds an element that is rare to find on a Junior and greatly increases its versatility. A Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity and a reissue Lifton™ brown case with pink interior are included with the guitar.