Recently got an LP Junior kit made after I bought the parts and had a luthier put it together, and not really bonded with it, so I have sold it, for a loss, but that's the way it goes. Lesson learned and an expensive indulgence.
While I didn't bond with that one, I did love the sound. So I've been looking around at getting another junior style guitar. I'm not sure I ever bonded with Les Pauls, so may rule them out of the running based on my experience with the kit.
Valuable advice given to me on another thread is "try before you buy". Trying to keep the cost below €1,000, so guessing that's about £800 or so.
I'm in Ireland, and currently options within driving distance of me would be:
2019 Gibson DC tribute junior. I think it looks good despite what I've read online about the pickguard, though have read it's a slim neck, so won't really know until I try it.
2015 Gibson LP Junior. I'll audition it, but might not like it based on the kit experience.
2011 Gibson SG Junior. Again, I'll have a look and see, looks a little odd to me at times..
1980s Greco LP Junior. A bit of wear but could be interesting...
New Hamer Junior Special. I picked this up very briefly in a shop before and it could be a runner as well, though not sure on the bridge (I can't remember it being in the way when I tried it a while back). Going relatively cheap as well, and I could git a Bigsby vibramate in theory...
Vintage V130. The lower end of the scale, but have heard good things. it has a thick neck right?
New Epiphone LP Junior. Again, it's an LP, but would audition it...
Not sure how different the DC juniors are to LP juniors in feel, as I've never laid hands on a DC junior.
Anything else, I'd probably have to jump on a cheap flight to the UK and go to the likes of Andertons , or head to Glasgow.
Last option, and one I might try and avoid is to find some kind of a custom tele partscaster body with a P90 in the bridge, or P90 route and have a t style bolt on junior. Also would be appealing in a way.
e.g.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZRjGKajyKs
Comments
The Eastwood Jetson Jr looks odd as , but could be great fun...
https://www.gak.co.uk/en/prs-se-one-korina-ltd-tobacco-sunburst/930832?gclid=Cj0KCQiAkePyBRCEARIsAMy5ScsbGvYJ_ZuONPXeXfmTzDUROf9VPmg6IDAOuak8jQTKtFmwznn9rlsaAp5rEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
This is interesting
https://www.peachguitars.com/guitars/electric-guitars/solid-body/rivolta-combinata-i-camino-burst.htm?opt=13755&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkePyBRCEARIsAMy5SctFg7DQDZWxhdc8wFxMTsxU2oaItH4XuyxKgLGD1CHenXl-maR55vkaAta4EALw_wcB
I think you might need to have a word with @HarrySeven. There may be some philosophical differences of opinion
The Vintage v120 I had (and the SG jr version too) had very thin necks.
I hear the Harley Benton ones have a thick neck.
I'd go PRS SE one, or Gibson SG Jr- SG Jr's are wonderful.
Paid just over £500 for it and it's a cool guitar. Proper rock machine. Basic but good. No-one worries about pickguard mounted pickups on a strat so no issue for me.
Only thing about it is that the G string won't stay in tune. The nut needs sorting, but that's an easy fix.
On the real cheap end are those Epiphone SGs any good ? Obviously the humbucker could be swapped out for a P90 hb.
I can push the boat out though with $$$.
Also curious to try the Hamer.
Id love to try a Godin Summit but nowhere will have one in Ireland and a potential risk to buy online
PRS SE one too. I could get over the headstock ...
@Creed_Clicks have you looked at the new 2020 "inspired by Gibson" Epiphone range?
Les Paul Jr, vintage 50s neck profile too!:
https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/191216352612008--epiphone-les-paul-junior-vintage-sunburst
It's not a jr, rather a Special (with 2 p90s) but I love the look of this.
https://www.gak.co.uk/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,width=1500,height=1500/https://58eca9fdf76150b92bfa-3586c28d09a33a8c605ed79290ca82aa.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/epiphone-sg-special-p-90-faded-pelham-blue-1013642.jpg
The Rivolta looks really cool. I’d have to get a trip to blighty to try one out.
https://godinguitars.com/product/summit-classic-sg-vintage-burst-p90-rn