Metropoulos Forum

I'm going to get all mushy and sentimental on you guys. This 1959 LP Junior (9 8635) used
to belong to one of my good friends who died from cancer in July, 2008. His wife had massive
bills to pay off late last year, so all but one of his guitars had to be sold. I was lucky enough
to get this one offered to me by her. I probably paid more than market rate for it ($2450), but
it had all the original hardware, plus the Pigtail bridge, straplocks, etc...and it was my friend's,
so Shelly & I bought it.

It's been used by a number of players on records for it's ridiculously thick slide tone, such
as Dave Melton & Kirk Fletcher (ex-Fablulous T-Birds) among them.

I have all the original hardware, but this Pigtail bridge with adjustable saddles was what
my friend, Dave Venanzi, had on it. I've decided to leave it the way he had it, leather
DiMarzio guitar strap, Strap-Locks and all.

The guitar originally had a root beer/mahogany finish on it that Dave did after the original
was all flaked off (now that's aging for you!). He scratched the serial # on the bottom of the
pickguard and in the control cavity, from what Dan Shinn @ Lay's Guitar Shop told me.
Obviously he wanted that serial # preserved.

It's a ridiculously hot P90 in this guitar. I measured it at 9.8K with 250K pots and through
the jack on a guitar cable. From what I know of that measurement system, it's probably
more like 10.5K after you take out the resistance of the pots/cap.

Lay's put a cherry finish with nitro lacquer back on the guitar, then I had Luthier reassemble
it for me since I am way too busy finishing cabs for people. It rings like a bell, with sustain
to rival anything you've ever heard.

Here's some pics...

My buddy Dave Venanzi (w/sisters flanking him).


Right after we finished a gig opening for Scott Whyte's band (drummer was taking the
picture...or drinking IIRC.)

L-R: Tom (the bass player), Dave, me.
http://www.southbayampworks.com/59jr/tomdavejim.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The 59 Les Paul Junior...just back from Lay's...
http://www.southbayampworks.com/59jr/59jr-1.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and back from MusicWorks after Jim Foote put it back together for me.
http://www.southbayampworks.com/59jr/59jr-2.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.southbayampworks.com/59jr/59jr-3.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.southbayampworks.com/59jr/59jr-4.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

RIP Dave, you're missed buddy.

the LP junior is quite possibly the greatest of all the gibsons. they still dont get the attention they deserve. myself I got a nice singlecut korina special junior made by hamer. and a tokai LP special with lollars. both rock, although the hamer is brigher and more aggressive than the tokai

That's beauty Jim. Somewhere, Dave is smiling...

On a side note, now my Jr. GAS is acting up again!!!

mwm523 wrote:That's beauty Jim. Somewhere, Dave is smiling...

On a side note, now my Jr. GAS is acting up again!!!

Yeah, I would imagine Dave is. And that Junior is so bad assed it's not even funny. I never heard another P90 like that in person...scary. Glad it's mine...$3200 later with all the costs in.

Hey,

Beautiful guitar, simple but everything a player needs...

All the best Michael

Thank you, mc. I was never a Junior fan till I played this one 7 years ago. That changed quickly. I'm sorry I had to acquire it via my buddy's passing, but if I hadn't bought it someone else would have, so I have to be glad I was there and had the $$$ to do it.

Hey,

Of course your buddies passing is a terrible thing. But you saved his guitar and made sure it didn't fall into the "wrong" hands. There are so many guys out there havin the bucks but without any real passion for guitars and music. Guitars should never be investment and be handled by brokers.
Keep up the spirit and the memories!

Cheers Michael

Hey Jim, Sorry about your friend Passing, Just lost my mom last aug, from Cancer, I really dig the looks of your Junior, great that you got it and its like you will always have a cool part of your buddy in that guitar, These guitars do sound so good, I am working on a deal right now for a 2002 Single cut historic jr, I also have a Pigtail bridge from Steve waiting to go on it, thanks for sharing,Cool story on the guitar, Steve

I've never owned nor really had the opportunity to play jr's.....vintage at all, and spent some lackluster time with a tv yellow historic.
Though i can say.......when i get these notions/vibes/gut feelings......that a sweet sunburst singlecut jr will be the "ONE" for me.
I was right about the 5E3, and i picked that up without ever really playing one before.
I really want to find that jr someday.........a vintage 57/58 would be sooooooooooooooo lovely, but i don't see myself having those cards.
So i'll do what i can when i can.
P90.........their GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREAT !!!!