The Gibson Les Paul Junior might have been marketed as a beginner’s guitar in ’57, but being basic was never a limitation. The Custom Shop’s take on this single cutaway puts the look and feel of a vintage instrument in your hands with startling accuracy. Featuring a custom Dogear P90 and a fantastic Heavy aged finish, this Murphy Lab model is broken in and ready to boogie. Check out the Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1957 Les Paul Junior Single Cut. It’s available now at Musician’s Friend.

Let’s Start with the finish

Tom Murphy was instrumental in creating the Gibson Custom Shop; he's also a pioneer in the art of aging guitars. His team gave this Gibson a Heavy aged finish. That means buckle rash on the back, plus light arm, neck and headstock wear. The lacquer is checked to perfection—this really looks like a Les Paul Junior that has seen decades of use.

This Junior has classic construction

The body on the ’57 Junior is made from a single piece of solid mahogany. If you’re a fan of fat profiles, you’ll dig the mahogany neck’s Chunky C shape. Just like a good rack of ribs, there’s meat on the bones. The rosewood fretboard is fit with hide glue for complete historical accuracy.

A single P90 provides vintage growls to go

Gibson loads a single Dogear P90 in the bridge, where subtle variations in the volume and tone pots change its character instantly. From a gritty, muscular growl to a transparent top end, the ’57 Les Paul Junior lets you focus on the notes and the attack while bathing in truly vintage sounds.

If you’re jonesing for a Junior, get this Gibson

The Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1957 Les Paul Junior offers no frills with lots of thrills—a simple instrument with complex sounds. It comes with a certificate of authenticity and an aged brown and pink Lifton reissue 5-latch hard case.