A Piece of Rock Provenance
This all-original 1959 Gibson Les Paul Jr is a genuine piece of music history, finished in a classic Cherry stain. Its value and story are significantly enhanced by its documented previous ownership by modern blues-rock icon, Joe Bonamassa.
The guitar features the celebrated double-cutaway body shape introduced in the late 1950s for improved upper-fret access. Its minimalist, "no-frills" aesthetic is central to its charm, focusing purely on function and tone. The beautiful cherry finish has aged gracefully, showcasing the rich mahogany grain beneath.
Resonant Mahogany Construction
The core of the Les Paul Jr's powerful voice is its body, crafted from a single, solid slab of Honduran mahogany. This tonewood is legendary for producing a warm, deep, and resonant sound with incredible sustain. The set-neck construction further ensures that vibrational energy is transferred efficiently throughout the entire instrument.
True to its era, the guitar boasts a substantial mahogany neck with the large "baseball bat" profile characteristic of 1959. This sought-after neck shape feels solid in the hand and contributes significantly to the guitar's overall tone. It is topped with a beautiful and highly-prized Brazilian rosewood fingerboard for a smooth playing feel.
Key Features
- Model: 1959 Gibson Les Paul Jr
- Finish: Original Cherry Stain
- Provenance: Formerly owned by Joe Bonamassa with certified documentation
- Body: Single piece of solid Honduran mahogany
- Neck: Solid Honduran mahogany with a large '59 profile
- Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood
- Pickup: One original dog-ear P-90 single-coil pickup
- Controls: One volume, one tone control
- Bridge: Wraparound tailpiece
- Design: Double-cutaway body shape
The sonic heart of this instrument is its single, original dog-ear P-90 pickup. This legendary pickup is famous for its raw, powerful voice that is incredibly dynamic and touch-sensitive. It delivers a snarling tone that perfectly occupies the space between a thinner single-coil and a thicker humbucker.
Simple and Effective Design
Reflecting its straightforward design philosophy, the guitar's electronics consist of just one volume and one tone control. This simple layout is surprisingly versatile, allowing a player to intuitively shape a wide spectrum of sounds. From bright, cutting leads to warm, rounded rhythm tones, it's all accessible with a quick turn of a knob.
The guitar's hardware is a study in minimalist brilliance, centered around the simple wraparound tailpiece. This bridge design is drilled directly into the mahogany body, a critical element for the quintessential Les Paul Jr. sound. This direct coupling provides maximum string vibration transfer, resulting in exceptional sustain and a lively response.
| Year: | 1959 |
| Brand: | Gibson |
| Model: | Les Paul Jr Cherry |
| Body: | Single Piece Honduran Mahogany |
| Neck: | Single Piece Mahogany |
| Fretboard: | Brazilian Rosewood |
| Markers: | Mother of Pearl Dots |
| Pickups: | Single Dog Ear P-90 |
| Modifications & Repairs: | None |
| Case: | Soft Alligator Brown Case |
