Gibson Les Paul Junior Tribute Double Cutaway Review

[@ChiCan76]

I just picked up a blue one for my son and I to learn to play. Super happy with our choice. Great Review. All the best in 2021!

[@airtimedesign]

Thank you for the compliment and Happy New Year!

[@tlewis6743]

How this video only has 1k views is beyond me. This would have to be the best breakdown on KZbin. I ordered mine in ebony last week and it should be ready in a few weeks can't wait.

[@airtimedesign]

Thank you T Lewis! That means a lot to me!

[@gaerich1]

I have the Les Paul DC Special Tribute in the Blue Stain finish and I absolutly love it. Ive owned dozens of guitars and it was like this one was made just for me.

[@Trial212]

Well done review! I picked up one of these back in November 2023 and like it very much. A great buy in a Gibson!!

[@deBebbler]

For those that may be interested, the original version (with the output on the pickguard) allows great customization as you can have multiple pickguards with different pickups loaded and swap them with the strings on. This allows you to switch between the stock black one to a white pearloid pickguard with a Fralin pickup or a parchment version with a Kinman Nasty 90. Different look and sound.

[@dangitdan9938]

I 100% agree with everything you've said about this little gem. The fretboard on mine is rough, the frets and finish also. I've rounded my fret ends and I'm going to scrape the fretboard smooth next time I change strings. Lastly I plan to spray it with gloss nitro to give it the esthetic I want as well as replace the bridge. I felt the same way about the tuners, the posts are a bit short so not many wraps of the strings on the bigger gauges but any other style wouldn't look right and they do the job. I happened to find one used this week so I had to get it, since I was lacking a P90 guitar, and I absolutely love it! There is definitely something about one pickup, tone and volume. That, and the truth, is all you need! It sounds amazing and, despite cost saving skipped steps in production, it plays fantastic. I haven't put it down since I got it and my other guitars are shooting me dirty looks, jealous bitches. I highly recommend these if you can find one, 10/10 🤘😁🤘

[@thewoodys_surf_instrumental]

I picked a red one up in Vegas 4 years ago on sale for $679. Mine is first run with the jack on front. It played amazing right off the wall. I wasn’t going to leave the store without it. Maybe I just got lucky, the neck and frets are perfect. Plays like butter and reminds me of Gibsons made in the 50s and 60s. The gig bag is a joke, the first thing I did was get a hard shell case for it. Can you tell I LOVE this guitar?

[@sid35gb]

I own this guitar. It is roughly setup from the factory so I spent some time dressing the fret ends, I also sanded the neck a little with 500 grit sand paper and finished with some 000 wire wool for a smoother satin finish the lacquer is a little sticky on the neck and the light sanding sorted it out feels great. As for the open pore finish I love it. The P90 sounds amazing. I think single piece bodies are over rated so not fussed about a multi piece body. As for the machine heads I love locking tuners so I put some Gotoh magnum locking tuners with the button knobs I went for the metal ones instead of white plastic. The gig bag it comes with does not fill me with confidence so I replaced it with the modern Gibson faux leather gig bag which are very good and have a large pocket for cables, a pedal or two, a tuner and any other bits and bobs. I really like this guitar it’s a good old fashioned rock machine 😎👍🎸

[@ScottJamesHicks]

I got one for $599 brand new right before the 2020 lockdown. My frets felt really smooth straight from the factory. Also, the open grain finish on mine feels kinda waxy and smooth. Not rough at all. The wrap around bridge doesn’t quite intonate but, that’s kinda why it sounds like rock n roll. Also, my action can go lower than I would ever need. Guess I got a good one.

[@jwiegand1022]

Some of these don't have a route for neck pickup... I saw a review that showed a long neck joint. I just bought one and the fit and finish is perfect. I haven't pulled pick guard off yet to check

[@pgroove163]

my first electric guitar from my paper route in NYC was a fender which I always kept..

[@rdrusty]

Great review and enjoyed your tracks too. I have a 2015 LPjr single cut which is great but I'm wondering if i should try one of these double cutaways too!

[@chazutube]

Great vid review of this guitar, I have the blue version for almost a year now too. I am one of the guys who likes the rough hewn finish and don’t mind if it shows wear. Feels like a players guitar with growly P90s that you can bash on and not put in a museum LOL. Great work on this- thanks!

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks Chaz, I appreciate you taking the time to comment!

[@Ronnie631000]

I just got one of these last Dec from Dietze Music in Omaha, Nebr. I really like it except for the slim neck. I wish it had the thick 50`s like the 58` R8. I will be getting the Custom Shop version this year.

[@327ewok]

got mine on presidents day sale at guitarcenter for 550, its a amazing guitar and slick satin smooth finish has some of the best playability and low action

[@ryanfulldark2775]

Another great review Brooks!

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks Ryan, I appreciate it!

[@dreamscuba]

Brilliant video. I am thinking of one of these or the double P90 version. Great review highlighting the various pros and cons. And you were very entertaining. Thank you

[@airtimedesign]

Thank you Dreamscuba! You might be interested in the new review I am uploading today of the Fender Noventa P90 Telecaster compared to the Gibson LPJ Tribute. Please subscribe!

[@anthonycraig1458]

I think they're great guitars, I've had an identical cherry one for about 6 months and I've played it loads, it's well made, plays great and super lightweight. I don't mind the cheaper aspects of it like the finish (or lack of) and basic nature, got a good deal on it. Also the gig bag fits it perfect, I think it's a bit hit n miss as to what gig bag you get, I've heard of others coming in giant bass sized ones as well so maybe I got lucky with mine.

[@clockwork914]

With these finishes you can always build them up by adding lots of polish & elbow grease and you get gloss, too.

[@tonycoles7197]

Brilliant review. I have a blue one Love the p90s.

[@airtimedesign]

Thank you for the compliment Tony! Happy Holidays!

[@michaeld2716]

Thanks for being so thorough.

[@nacienlos70]

Great review, honest about strong and weak points.

[@airtimedesign]

Thank you!

[@michaelpal7641]

"Diamonds and Mink" WHAT A KILLER SOUNDING SONG BROTHER!!

[@airtimedesign]

Thank you Michael! I appreciate that. You can find my music on Amazon, Google Play, Apple Tunes and iTunes, Spotify, Soundcloud, etc. Please subscribe!

[@Paspa1801]

Bit late to the party for this vid as I've been working a lot of overtime this week (to save up for a new guitar for myself as a Christmas/birthday gift) so didnt have time to watch until now but another great video! You are already one of my firm favourites for guitar reviews! As long as you keep em coming, I'll keep on watching!

[@airtimedesign]

Thank you Paspa!

[@michaelweinman9051]

More please. Cheers from Los Angeles!

[@davidcudlip6587]

Cool Jr. Would have liked to see a dog ear P90 and controls mounted thru the body instead of on the pickguard, but what the hell. The price is right.

[@clockwork914]

Mustang owner here. They’re great and I prefer it to the similar Jaguar.

[@cageliner]

The first issue of the Tribute DC with the guard mounted jack doesn't have a neck rout and therefore has a better neck joint. I bought a used side jack version in worn ebony a couple of years ago for $600 CDN or roughly $450 US. Because it's so cheap and not really a collectible (although used prices are much higher now) I have toyed with the idea of planing it down 1/8" and making it a non f-hole semi hollow. The top could be anything, I suppose; maple, spruce or mahogany. I would also install a proper non compensated bridge and original style guard. I love my cheap Gibsons and am OK with their lack of features 🙂. A 2007 '59 reissue Melody Maker that I installed a lipstick tube pickup into, a demo 2013 '50s Tribute from Best Buy that has been converted to a "Deluxe" Tribute and a 2014 LP Melody Maker.

[@SlydeChaplain]

Super cool for the money, but yeah … upper register frets were shimmed with razor blades, for some reason, in mine. Still love it, though 👍😉

[@mralgebro]

Amazing review. I was thinking about this one but now I’m not sure 🤔

[@airtimedesign]

Thank you Sean and I'm glad you enjoyed the review! Please subscribe.

[@mikepj1025]

Guitar Center was blowing these out last year for $599. The worst feeling frets I’ve ever felt. I had the kid workin there bring out about 4 from the back along with the 5 that were hanging in display and they all had the sharpest frets and sharp edged fretboard. Call me a wimp but my hand was getting torn up and it turned me off. I did love the look of them and I also noticed that I preferred the single bridge pickup sound over the double pickup bridge. Am I crazy? They sounded different to me and felt different under my fingers.

[@airtimedesign]

For sure the frets on my Gibson LPDC Tribute were RRRUFF! and needed a lot of work . I have a Gibson Special and the Tribute Junior. Same pickup in the bridge position but they do sound different.

[@DaveKaplowitz]

Great video, man. I think you hit all the important points. I like the tribute series since they make Gibson guitars affordable. I'm always tempted, but I find myself gravitating to Epiphone every time, especially now that everything is inspired by Gibson these days.

[@airtimedesign]

Thank Dave, We are so lucky to have so many affordable choices now a days. Did you see the Epi vs Gibson TV yellow LPS review I did? kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6bTfYStophphtU

[@DaveKaplowitz]

@@airtimedesign I did, Brooks and I learned so much from that one. I have been looking for a guitar with P90s and was considering the Gibson Tribute series as well as the Epiphone. What you had to say about the Specials and the side by side playing comparison really opened my eyes that guitar and how the Epiphone is so close to the Gibson at a fraction of the cost. And let's face it, the TV yellow color is just so cool!

[@airtimedesign]

@@DaveKaplowitz Great Dave, glad you enjoyed it and it helped you make a decision.

[@helloholahi]

happy owner of this guitar here for over two years now, i was lucky to get it on sale for £599 instead of £869, got the two pickups version of it as i feel like just one pickup is a bit limiting... it seems like getting the one or two pickups version depends on what kind of music you want to play, of course having two pickups will be more versatile. anyways, i owned many guitars, tried many because i'm a true gear freak, and this is clearly one of the best guitars i ever played! if that can help someone else, here are some pros/cons or let's say considerations: - the only down thing for me would be the fretwork that would be better. it's far from terrible, just, i've seen much better work. so i guess paying a luthier to make it all perfect would be a good thing to do for some players, personally i haven't changed anything and don't even consider doing so, it's just the only thing i can tell that could be better, that's all, it's not a problem when playing and i just noticed it at first and forgot about it later, quite frankly. - love the light varnish, after two years it starts to have some marks here and there and it gives a beautiful mojo to it. i love touching the grain of the wood, it really feels like i'm holding an instrument, whereas the full varnish that most guitars have feels like the wood could be plastic. - on my model i got a PCB with the solder-less pickups; as i modified all of my other guitars i was a bit disappointed to see that (i had that too on a previous gibson and i replaced all the electronics, soldering it the old school way with other pickups). the thing is, this gibson sounds f#cking grand, it's just insane, i absolutely love it, simple as that! even the condenser, which i always change, is perfect here, it's an orange drop, nothing so surprising, just, it feels so great, it's a pleasure to explore different sounds with the tone knob, it really is! so i don't think i would ever replace the pcb/solderless electronics, my purist part doesn't like to admit that there's nothing wrong with that because the sound is perfect, so i'm trying to accept that instead. ( : - the tuners are all fine, the string action is great, ... - the large pickguard i guess is, as anything else that's aesthetics, a matter of personal taste. again here, i personally love it. i wouldn't actually change anything on this guitar, like, at all. it's beautiful, and i love looking at it and taking care of it... i think having an instrument that you find beautiful is important, as i alway say, it's just as having a beautiful partner, you want to "play" more with them, right? 😋 - love the fact that it's very simple. when i rewired the previous gibson i had, which i mentioned earlier, i've made a "jimmy page wiring" thing with 4 push pulls, and i ended up hating it because you end up spending more time trying the 21 possible combinations of sound you can get than playing. here, it's just straightforward, two pickups, volume, tone, there you go, just like a telecaster, and that's perfect, thank you gibson for not adding some fancy push pulls or two more knobs! anyways, i could rent for hours about this guitar, and would encourage anyone looking for a simple setup guitar with p90s to try it and see if that's a guitar for them, just, do it if you have the money, because you're going to be very frustrated if you fall in love and can't afford it!

[@airtimedesign]

Hi JB and thanks for the comment. That is some good information to help others. And yes you're preaching to the choir. In fact I've bought a few other guitars since I purchased the DC and lately I'm getting hooked again. The accessibility to the upper frets and the super light weight makes it such a joy to play. Add to that the guitar is so affordable, it's easy to love. Please subscribe thanks!

[@helloholahi]

@@airtimedesign haha not surprised you're falling in love again and again with it! yes, i also forgot to mention that the guitar being so light is a delight, i think what makes an amazing guitar, besides the sound of it, is how when you play it, you kinda forget about it, because it feels so natural to play, which has a lot to do with the neck/fretboard/string action height etc, and the weight is definitely an important variable here!

[@aperezdeal]

The older front jack version has the long neck tenon.

[@guitar01able]

Your track is dope man, I really liked it!

[@jonnybeck6723]

Mine has no neck pickup route(sp?) and a long tenon (?) I guess the black ones really were different

[@JS-ju6cv]

My brown one is like yours with the historic long tenon and only one pickup rout. You can tell the difference by the output is on the pick guard like ours. I made a down payment the second I saw these guitars were going on sale. Glad I did!

[@johnoverby4190]

Hey man! Nice job on the video. I’m not really much of a Gibson fan, more of a PRS guy, but you made me want my 62 SG standard back. I bought it for $100.00 in 71 and sold it to the lead guitar player the day I quit the band in 73 for $40.00... It might be worth a bit more than that now. 🤔

[@airtimedesign]

Hysterical John!

[@jeffludewig9331]

Great video. I’ve been playing since the 60’s too. I took lessons at a music store that happened to be a Gibson dealer and I couldn’t afford one either. But you did better than me, I bought a used Kay and it was a real piece of crap. Ha ha. I’m watching this video because I saw a Les Paul Junior tribute in a pawn shop for $750. After seeing that they listed New for 899 I’m thinking that that isn’t such a great deal. I have a bunch of guitars now but I really do need a Gibson with a P 90 in the bridge. I’m going to go try and buy it for a little less but I suppose I’ll give them $750 if I have to.

[@jonnybeck6723]

I've one of these... The black ones had a mahogany neck... tho' I've not sanded it down so I'm not 100% sure and yes the pots are great (!) I wish my Epi 335 had 'em Cheers

[@AuntAlnico4]

They all have maple necks ! Maybe you have an older model or you have a modern maple neck version but these new ones all have maple necks !

[@johnsmith-sm6mh]

Dang it just sold the exact guitar to get my TV Yellow Special 😭😭 but i ain’t really complaining. My new guitar rocks

[@airtimedesign]

Hey John, If I had to pick between the LPJTDC and the LPS TV Yellow it's TV all the way!

[@johnsmith-sm6mh]

@@airtimedesign Agreed my friend, love your informative videos too 👍🏻🎸🎸

[@carlbaumeister3439]

Do you know why the LP Special is so much more expensive in TV Yellow?

[@johnsmith-sm6mh]

@@carlbaumeister3439 Not sure but it’s always had more kudos than other colours also Punk Bands in the UK 🇬🇧 used them to great effect in the late 70s but having said all that the one i purchased was £150 lower in price than the vintage Cherry colour ?

[@airtimedesign]

@@carlbaumeister3439 The Gibson Les Paul Special in Cherry is the same price as the TV Yellow. www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LPSP00VENH--gibson-les-paul-special-vintage-cherry

[@DellaGiacoma]

I've seen this model with a single pickup hole in the bridge position.

[@Bliggick]

Great review again Brooks. If I wanted my Jr. to become a Special I would have just bought a Special, I don't want that sustain-robbing neck pickup hole. The 2018 didn't have that hole but I didn't like the input jack was mounted on the pickguard. I could live with the meat cleaver pickguard but my solution was to get neither. Three in a line tuners would have been a nice touch and I doubt if they would have increased production costs. That gig bag is funny too. Reminds me of the case I got for my Art & Lutherie parlor guitar. I was expecting a smaller case to fit the smaller parlor size. But no, it was a full dreadnought size filled with extra styrofoam!

[@airtimedesign]

Funny I had a 2018 model that I purchased just as they changed the output jack. So I returned and got the updated side output jack model. If I had known that the body was not routed out for the neck pickup I might have kept it. I just wish they would have routed the back instead of the front and used the Easter Island pickguard. I don't think the cost of manufacturing would be any different and it sure would have looked better with less pickguard IMHO.

[@Bliggick]

@@airtimedesign I guess they are trying to protect the sales of the more expensive model up by not giving you too many of the classic features.

[@airtimedesign]

@@Bliggick Yeah, I guess that makes sense. I have a TV Yellow Gibson Special and I have the Gibson Tribute Jr. For some reason I like the sound of the LP Tribute Jr. for the twangy stuff. It really has great definition and bite when I looking for that sound. The TV Special should have the same sound in the bridge pickup position but I can tell you that if I'm looking to record and I want that fat twangy sound I'll go for the LP Tribute Jr. every time. Anyway I love both guitars and they the Jr. can't get the both pickup or the neck pickup sound so they both get played a lot. I choose all my guitars based on how they sound for recording. Especially now I'm not playing out live so my reasons for choosing a guitar might be different than somewhere who is a player and gigs with the guitar.

[@kevindean1327]

I'm getting one of these tomorrow for a good price. I'm going to plug that front pickup hole with some dense wood. At least that's the idea I have, and maybe I can shore up the neck at the same time. I want the neck as solid as an anchor!!!

[@diddymies]

your video production is amazing!

[@airtimedesign]

Well thank you Diddy King! Please subscribe more reviews on the way!

[@richardcarbajal6715]

Correction! This is An inexpensive guitar! A regular Les Paul Junior is 4000.00 dollars. The tribute is a huge deal! Incredible savings and still get that sound!👍

[@2510Pascal]

Hi, great video - Are you thinking for a Golden Age Low-profile Wraparound Bridge with Metric Studs Chrome slotted or unslotted? From London UK, Best,

[@airtimedesign]

Thank you Pascal and I'm glad you enjoyed the review. I have not tried the Golden Age. I'll check it out Thanks! Oh and Please subscribe for more reviews.

[@markhodgkisson6060]

Really enjoyed this review, it was pertinent as im looking to buy this guitar as it just seems great US made guitar for the buck

[@airtimedesign]

Thanks Mark! I appreciate it and I'm glad you found the reveiw helpful. I love the guitar! Please subscribe and like, thanks!

[@ticerboska]

Please let me know what brand if you have replaced bridge. I have the special and wish to lower the action as well.

[@airtimedesign]

Hello Boska, I have not replaced my bridge yet. If I do I'll let you know what I get.

[@robertshaw8371]

Years ago, you and I were on a long drive to a shoot ("Say Yes to the Dress," maybe?), and you said you hated P-90s. Much more recently, when reminded of that convo, you said that couldn't have been you because you love 'em! Maybe now I know why...thong and chang forever!

[@airtimedesign]

Back in the day a friend let me borrow his Gibson 330 which had P90s. That guitar, because it was a semi hollow howled with feedback and left me with the bad impression about P90 pickups. You're right now I love them!

[@andrewlove9110]

Great job Brooks. I hope you have a fat contract with Gibson.

[@airtimedesign]

No such luck George but maybe if you subscribe I might get one! Thanks George!

[@Weenis416]

Anyone else have bridge issues? Cant intonate witbout the bridge causing buzzing, bridge is installed too close to the neck

[@pleaseholdinc]

You had me at "thong and chang".

[@airtimedesign]

It's the new Cheech and Chong.

[@VindicatorFSX]

I love gig bag joke lol. That thing is a monster

[@airtimedesign]

It's TRUE! It's ENORMOUS!

[@tomashormeno1394]

jajajajajaja amazing!!!!! well deserved!!

[@rubenherrera9898]

Excelent review

[@airtimedesign]

Thank you Ruben and Happy New Year!

[@RaggedRomeo]

0:42 they're now nearly €4,000, just wow!

[@kevindean1327]

It seems to me that it wouldn't be that difficult to reinforce the tennon.

[@airtimedesign]

Hey Kevin, thanks for the comment. Yes it would be easy to fill the hole where the neck pickup cavity is and have a more solid guitar and stronger neck connection to the body. Funny I'm playing that guitar right now. I have several good guitars but I still love this LPJ Tribute!

[@michaelweinman9051]

Love this.

[@tommurphy3188]

Hey I’m 40 and I remember paper routes!! I Deeply offended!! Just kidding!! Great video! I have the dc in cherry red and it’s really a great sounding guitar!

[@airtimedesign]

Wow! Do kids still have paper routes? Thanks for the comment and please subscribe and check out my other reviews!

[@AuntAlnico4]

I got the 2 p90's version and it weighs 13+ pounds !!!! But it's a great guitar and has sustain for days 😂

[@airtimedesign]

Wow Jenifer! That's really unusual! There just isn't a lot of body weight with that guitar. I'm surprised. Mine is around 6lbs and might be less. I'm about to release another review of the new Fender Noventa Tele which also has a single bridge P90 pickup. I think you will find it interesting. Please subscribe! Thanks

[@restofthejunk01]

I have the same guitar and it actually has a one piece body.

[@airtimedesign]

Interesting Paul, did you look under the pickguard to see if it's routed out for 2 pickups?

[@restofthejunk01]

@@airtimedesign not yet

[@more_me_than_I_am]

The thumbnail made me think that they released headless models lol

[@jonnybeck6723]

Hey Brooks... what part of the planet are you dwelling ...in (?) I'm in picturesque Koreatown, Los Angeles, Calif. Earth

[@airtimedesign]

Beautiful Sunny South Florida where all the wackos reside, right on the edge at the End of the Earth.

[@bradconklin2878]

Looks like a long neck tenon, to me.

[@LA-zc9rg]

Lmao $500 you want a 1 piece body ????