A superb early example from the start of Gibson’s SG-shape Les Paul Junior era. Finished in cherry that has now mellowed beautifully into a dulled, browner shade, with some nice lacquer checking throughout, it has exactly the kind of softly aged look that suits this model so well. As an early one, it retains the desirable Les Paul Junior silkscreen on the headstock and the staggered bridge stud layout, both hallmarks of the first generation of SG Juniors before the model evolved further through the early 1960s.

The neck has a really appealing feel in the hand, with a wide, flatter profile that gives it a distinct character compared to some of the chunkier Juniors from later periods. It measures 42.4mm at the nut, with depths of 20.1mm at the 1st fret and 22.1mm at the 12th, so it feels slim but not slight, and very comfortable overall. It has been refretted and fitted with a changed nut, both sensible player-friendly updates, and it plays well throughout. Tuners are the correct single-line 3-a-side Klusons, while the Les Paul Junior headstock silkscreen is still present, albeit partially worn.

Under the hood, there are some additional holes in the pickup cavity, likely made at some stage to accommodate the pole pieces of a different pickup, although the guitar is now back to its correct P-90 format. The tailpiece is a later compensated type rather than the earlier straight bar, and the guitar intonates well as a result.

On the strap, this one is light at 3.28kg and feels lively and responsive, with that resonant quality you really want from a good Junior. Acoustically it is loud and immediate, and plugged in the single P-90 delivers exactly what you’d hope for, with plenty of bite, midrange grind and openness. Reading 8.02k, the pickup has a strong, full voice with lots of attitude, but still enough clarity to clean up nicely when you back things off. It is a simple guitar, of course, but that is exactly the point, and a good one like this has a directness and personality that more complicated instruments often struggle to match.

All in all this is a great looking, vibey early Les Paul SG Junior with a comfortable neck and a classic barking P-90. It comes complete with a modern Gibson brown case.