Epiphone Les Paul Junior. Is one pickup enough?

[@portsideguitar1981]

Man, that’s some nice soulful playing. Great looking guitar too!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you my friend.

[@JessValerio]

Wow! The guitar and the player. Superb!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you so much my friend.

[@michaelthomas9991]

Man, I like your style! You can really make that lone pickup sing.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you so much. I hope you’ll enjoy being a regular viewer.

[@eljefeguapobarbon]

Bought one and love it, no regrets whatsoever.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Nice. Juniors are a lot of fun. Thanks so much for watching.

[@TheFairway8]

I own a Rock n Roll Relics TV Yellow LP Junior exact replica of Johnny Thunders Chinese Script model it’s custom made with handmade David Allen Pickups. I’ve always wanted an original LP Junior had a few chances when they were selling for about 5 grand but never quite pulled the trigger now they’re more or less double and out of my price range. They are such great guitars mine can comfortably go from virtually sounding like an acoustic to blistering rock, all whilst plugged straight into the amp no pedals at all. Really soulful playing there

[@philnewton2011]

Great playing, Leonard.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you Phil

[@johnwalsh3919]

Hey Leonard, watched your review and pulled the trigger this morning, can’t wait to start playing all the old Clash riffs again, stay well ✌️🧷🎸

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Nice, I hope you love it! Thanks for watching.

[@Freeontheland2030]

Nice looking guitar, love the sound of the p 90

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

I agree. P90s are great. Thanks so much for watching.

[@cmkilcullen8176]

Really enjoyed this jam. Started to listen for the guitar. Stayed for the playing. Nice touch!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you. I appreciate that. You might enjoy my “Play Some Blues” series which comes out on Tuesdays. It’s entirely focused on playing.

[@wfp537]

Wow that was great playing, that guitar sounds really good, Thanks,

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks for watching. 😊

[@floodgatestudios1825]

By FAR!! the best sounding demo ive heard of this guitar! Thank you. Epiphone should thank you also

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Maybe some day the companies will notice. LOL Thanks so much for watching.

[@TheNemorosa]

I enjoyed your playing.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you. I hope you take a look at all my other videos for more. 😊

[@edmoss2020]

Great playing on this guitar

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you. I hope you’re enjoying my channel.

[@cryptotharg7400]

Lovely blues chops! Subscribed.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. Appreciated.

[@roberttosa2560]

Nice! Love the Jr.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Yeah, the simplicity is very appealing. Thanks for watching.

[@JAL-cc8jd]

I ordered one of these today and should have it tomorrow. I have a lot of guitars, including some with P90’s, but not a single. I really wanted an Eastman SB55/v or a Gibson LP Jr, but thought I’d start with the Epi first to see how well I like the style and how often I play it. If I love it, I might make any mods or upgrades I feel are needed. If I like it, I might keep it as is and eventually get the Gibson or Eastman. If I don’t like it, I have 45 days to return it, so I really couldn’t go wrong in giving it a shot. Great demo and review, as usual! Thanks!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

I found it to be solid and capable. Though as you’d expect, setup work is usually needed. The one I reviewed was well set up by the dealer, and that makes all the difference. Best of luck with yours and thanks so much for watching.

[@JAL-cc8jd]

The Epiphone is decent for the price, but I am returning it because I got the Eastman SB55/v instead, which is an amazing guitar. The Epiphone is a good choice on a budget, but to me the Eastman is well worth the extra money due to the nice case it comes with, the quality of materials and hardware, the better electronics and Lollar pickup, and the ebony fretboard. I will be keeping it forever because it’s just such a great instrument to play.

[@RocktCityTim]

Since I normally spend most of my blues time on the neck pickup, I'd love to see something like this with a single neck pickup. It just feels like I get more expression control playing behind the pickup instead of in front of it.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

I can’t think of a solid body with only a neck pickup. Not that it doesn’t exist. Of course it’s the usual for a jazz archtop.

[@Uptown59]

Search on Gibson Les Paul Junior Rhythm.

[@williamj.sheehan2001]

Outstanding stuff, sir! 👍

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much my friend.

[@jrhguitarbassdrums]

Really really nice tone and playing. Im subscribing. Im picking up one of the guitars tomorrow, do i searched and found your video.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. I hope you love the guitar.

[@barthrvatin8297]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing Leonard! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks

[@chrisschopenhauer6261]

great playing Leonard, smooth and tasty and your interpretation of Need your love so bad is excellent, good job Buddy 😀

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you my friend.

[@prestonsmith7943]

2 years later this makes me want to pick up my les Paul jr and actually learn how to play it

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Juniors are great. I could easily do my shows with one. Thanks for watching.

[@markfloresmusic]

VERY tasty licks there sir . . . KUDOS

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you my friend. Thanks for watching

[@jfj794]

Wow, I came for the review, but left in awe with some of the most tasteful playing I've heard on the tube here! Is this Epi Jr worth what they're asking now in 2024 that's what I'm trying to figure out? I want one, but not willing to pay for the Gibson model.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

@@jfj794 Thanks so much. Yes, I’d say the Epiphone version is worth the price. It’s not the Gibson, but with a good setup (could require a little fret leveling depending on your preferred action) it’ll do the job nearly as well.

[@stringy126]

Nice playing. I recently 'discovered' Juniors. Now a confirmed fan. Cheers.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. Yes, their simplicity is addictive and freeing.

[@ericbrooks8573]

You sold me👍

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Well I hope you get a great one! Thanks for watching.

[@angusorvid8840]

Good video, as always. The volume, tone control, and attack give you an incredible variety of tones. In fact, I find with an ax like an LP Jr you can get tones that sound very much like neck tones by turning down the tone knob. I love P90s but also standard PAFs. That guitar really packs a punch.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you. It’s true, you can get a lot out of a single P90 just using the guitar’s controls and your own touch.

[@jimmy5634]

Man your tone from 2:30 on…. 🔥 And those licks 👅

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you my friend. Appreciated.

[@guitarzan0515]

Ok, so now I have to learn to use my Controls ?😱 Great video!! Great playing as usual! I’m thinking the Blues class will go great. Carry on 💥🤙

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks. Big difference with this guitar. Roll back the tone and volume just a little and it sweetens up.

[@markmcdonald5711]

I'm hearing some Roy Buchanan in your playing. Like the junior also, reminds me of my tele.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

It’s a fat sound for sure. Thanks so much for watching.

[@greggrant502]

Great sounds man

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. Appreciated.

[@rogerpr364]

I just looove that sound! Certainly YOU make it sound this great! What is the tittle of this song😍😍😍😍 Loooove the blues😍😍😍😍 🎶 I own a jr Les Paul just like this one, but, I can only rithym and wish I could play alike you do! Thanks for posting, I did the thumbs up, Man your jr sounds great!!! The BEST blues sound I've ever heard!!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. Very happy you enjoyed it. There’s no song title. I put together my own backing tracks and they’re just little instrumentals to play over.

[@rogerpr364]

@@leonardgriffieblues5845 Thanks for the feedback! The tempo and sound of this recording of yours is cream to my ears! No reply needed, Thanks again! Cheer's from Montréal☺

[@ijamsum]

If i could move my P-90 pickup two+ inches towards the neck one pickup would be all i need. I wish Epiphone would rout the P-90 pickup further from the bridge one inch and angle the pickup low E side more towards the neck some the lower midrange is there enough for power chords to growl ! Good playing on this video is awesome.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks. Yeah, I’m sure you know the idea is to replicate a Gibson LP Junior, and to be fair, deviation from that formula would kill sales. Companies that try to “improve” the classics wind up being small niche companies. There have been guitars with moveable pickups. Can’t even remember the name, which says something about how successful the idea was. LOL

[@sandyturner1911]

Wow! Finally! There aren't many players who just play these. it's like they never saw one, until Green Day happened. I have seen a couple of people with Jr's..but they were Gibson models.. I'm wondering if you had any trouble with the frets ? I really want one of these, and it appears I should have gotten one when they were $50 less. great demo!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Yeah, I like playing these because sometimes it’s nice to not have to think about anything other than playing. Players don’t think there’s enough variety but really, just using the controls there isn’t much you can’t do. I didn’t keep this one because, well, I just can’t keep all the guitars I buy for review, but there is something really freeing about a guitar with just one pickup. The fretwork on that one was quite good, but it’s very hit or miss with all the Epiphone models so best to either try before you buy, or plan on spending to get it right. It’s tough with these inexpensive guitars because first class fretwork can cost half the price of the guitar. A lot will depend on how low you like the action and how pro you expect the playability to be. Truly pro quality playability will likely require some fret leveling on the majority of lower priced guitars (and a lot of not so low priced guitars to be fair). Fret ends can also be a problem but those are a lot easier to fix. Thanks so much for watching.

[@sandyturner1911]

@@leonardgriffieblues5845 that is all correct. I have had some issues with Epiphone, in the last few years. I decided to get the entry level Gretsch with the P90 and the Broadtron..Hopefully, it won't be too bad..but like you say, it's hit or miss..But even higher end guitars have fret issues, so I have just about given up on that. I shouldn't have to do anything to a guitar that costs more than $500.The Gretsch is actually about $80 less that the JR.

[@gwugluud]

The Epiphone LP Jr I bought new about 8 years ago for $125 is a perfectly good guitar. Similar to this I'm assuming, but the one I have does have two pickups; faux P-90s, natch. That series had an unfinished body. Idk what I'm talking about re the deeper "axe technicalities", but I'm thinking the series yours is of has a cap veneer on the body, while mine is the same chunk of mahog throughout. Good demo. And THANKS A LOT for making me depressed by reminding me that EVERYBODY plays guitar 100x better than me. 😔😛

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Yes, they use a veneer on this series. Thanks for watching. And keep playing and improving. Bear in mind I’ve been a professional player on and off of for 50 years and began playing at age 12 so don’t be discouraged. 😎

[@pharmerdavid1432]

"Mahogany" can mean many different kinds of trees, not just traditional Honduras Mahogany, which is only used on higher priced guitar's bodies anymore.

[@DavidLee-rx6uo]

Really great video. If you can’t do it with one pickup you can’t do it.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you. Happy you enjoyed the video.

[@alexanderhanksx]

Ain't that the truth

[@fuzzybutkus8970]

Lonesome Dave Preverett and Charlie Starr. Best Jr. players in my book.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

👍🏼

[@antoniolopez6798]

Like y suscrito... Gran Guitarra... Great Playing

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you so much. Very happy you’re enjoying the channel.

[@gwugluud]

It was enough for Leslie West, so...

[@angusorvid8840]

BTW, what kind of amp are you using? Sounds great all around.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

That’s my trusty Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb. I’ve done a couple of videos on it so be sure to have a look. Thanks again for watching.

[@NintenDub]

I got a "bleshied" from zzounds with their payment plan. I still have it, it was a little cheaper, but damn there are scuffs and scratches all around the edges

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Sounds like it really was blemished. Hopefully you're enjoying it enough to not notice!

[@charliedanoele]

Reliced

[@josephmarkey9096]

Got one today. Lovely, but god almighty, the hum! Is that normal?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

@@josephmarkey9096 Yes, a P90 is a single coil pickup, and a big one. The amount of hum is going to be dramatically affected by the amount of electrical interference where you’re playing. Hum is present but minimal in my studio, but atrocious at some venues with stage lighting, neon signs, etc. To mitigate the hum, try just turning and facing different directions until you find the position where it hums the least. That usually works. But yeah, it’s why companies make hum cancelling P90s, some of which are quite good. Thanks so much for watching.

[@davidkay3443]

How do you rate the epiphone pro p90 pickup? Would you need to swap it out or not? As in for live performances etc..new subscriber here from the UK

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

P90s are a very simple pickup design, and as such, it’s actually harder to make a bad one. What you get are different flavors. The Epiphone P90 may not be quite as complex as some of the better, more costly brands, but it’s not going to sound bad either. I’d try it live and only swap it out if it isn’t giving you what you want.

[@robertwierer683]

hi please can you tell mi what is the distance between the point the strings leaves the bridge and the polepieces thank you very much Rob

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Sorry Rob, I bought that guitar for review last year and it’s long gone at this point. I imagine a dealer or Reverb seller would be happy to give you that information. Thanks for watching.

[@henryb160]

This guy sure knows his way around a guitar

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

I should hope so. LOL

[@donvape336]

I want one

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

It’s a solid performer for not a ton of money. Thanks for watching.

[@matthewstearle7395]

Hi Leonrd,I bought the new Catalyst,on the high gain setting I am getting a buzzing sound after I hit the note,have you heard of this from anybody,thanks,

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

I have not but that doesn’t seem normal. Mine is loaned out at the moment but I’ll check that when I get it back. If you bought it from a dealer you might consider exchanging for another if mine doesn’t do that.

[@matthewstearle7395]

@@leonardgriffieblues5845 thanks so much for your concern,I tried 2 Catalyst amps and had both buzz,I hope yours is ok,thanks

[@bobdelair02]

Did you switch guitars and get the same buzz ? It could be that your string action is a little too low ?

[@matthewstearle7395]

@@bobdelair02 yes Bob,I tried both guitars,thanks you for your advice,going to Sam Ash today to try another one

[@brianbeaven698]

Jr’s are the most tone full guitar’s in my opinion I have an Gibson SG Jr I love it . Great video 🎸

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you. Yes, Juniors are terrific. And the simplicity can be really freeing.

[@johndaugherty4127]

Man. She sounds awesome to me! It ain't no Gibson, but I ain't no Clapton either!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

A slab of wood and a P90, hard to go too far wrong as long as the fretwork is decent. That can be a little hit or miss but most are quite playable with a setup. Thanks so much for watching.

[@johndaugherty4127]

@@leonardgriffieblues5845 My pleasure. Thanks for posting. My take is that the Chinese can make superb products to draw people to them, then, not so much. Had an sks rifle from the late 80's tjat was outstanding. The machining has improved products, in many ways, so that one can make a lot of pretty good guitars. I have an Epiphone slash goldtop that is fantastic!

[@jonathantalahatu9737]

I like it.. I like it 👏👍

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks. And thanks for watching!

[@nizodizo9549]

I have a Les Paul Jr, but rather play my Squire Stratocaster.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

A Strat’s a great instrument.

[@brianbeaven698]

Depends on what tone your looking for. Two different animals.

[@highgros]

Buttery

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

It is an addictive tone. Thanks so much for watching.