NGD - is it good enough?

[JTB]

While I am an admitted PRS fanboi for most guitars, I have long desired a Les Paul Junior Double Cut in TV Yellow. When I discovered a couple days ago that Gibson had the Junior Double Cut again, I felt safe as the factory direct exclusive version in TV Yellow was sold out. Still, I signed up for the email alerts in case some more became available - which happened the next day. 15 minutes after receiving the email I had one on order, and since Nashville is nicely close to Northern KY, the guitar I ordered Monday arrived today.

Opened the case, and was immediately psyched. Gorgeous nitro finish, absolutely beautiful with the grain showing through nicely. The body appears to be 1 piece. Fit and finish is excellent, fretwork is great. Plugged in and the wow factor went even higher. Running through a Plexi model on my HX XL, with an MXR Sugar Drive and a BMF Purple Nurple in front, it's just pure Rock goodness. The tone control has a wide range of usability and it cleans up nicely with the volume. Fretwork is great. Apparently a lot of these have intonation issues, but mine is spot on, with the stock bridge - it's nice that they include the second lightning bolt bridge in the case, but I don't see me needing it.

So far, my only complaint is that the nitro on the neck is a wee bit sticky, but I also know that'll fade over time.

Why has it taken me until now to get a P-90 guitar???

Anyway, since I'm one of those guys that names his guitars, the name Penny came to me quickly, so meet Penny. I still like my PRSes, so I can't say "only" a Gibson is good enough, but I can say definitively that Penny is good enough.

It looks like a “Peggy” to me. That’s just me though. Very nice guitar!

 

[Aahzz]

It looks like a “Peggy” to me. That’s just me though. Very nice guitar!

It's funny, I had Peggy in mind first .

Just came down from my music room after just playing along with whatever backing track youtube came up with next, for about 45 minutes.

Holy crap.

The tone and responsiveness of this guitar is amazing - so much range available just with pick attack. I went from some alternative through some jam band and into southern rock, and it just sounded perfect for each, with amazing, smooth playability and great sustain. It really likes going into a Plexi model set for slight breakup, and both the Sugar Drive and Purple Nurple on. It just sings. I was going to try some different amp models, but I couldn't stop playing and smiling like a kid on Christmas.

 

[Aahzz]

Sometimes there is a lot to be said for something less ornate and grounded in a more basic simplicity of design and execution. Hearty congrats man! I'm not a Gibson fan really, but I do love the SG's, I could easily see myself bringing one of them home if the right moment of brave insanity hit me perfect. I'm sure "she" would forgive me eventually. But that Jr is really cool...
Em, what's that Yamaha dreadnought beside it? I'm really Jonesing (please forgive the play on words) for another straight/basic acoustic since I gave my trusty FG to my B-in law...

The Yamaha is an FG800M. I bought it as a beater for when I don't want to take out my Guild D-40E. Gotta say, for a low price, supposedly entry level guitar, the Yamaha plays great and sounds really good. It's not about to replace my Guild, but I don't feel like I'm giving up much when playing the Yamaha.

 

[AP515]

Holy crap.

The tone and responsiveness of this guitar is amazing - so much range available just with pick attack. I went from some alternative through some jam band and into southern rock, and it just sounded perfect for each, with amazing, smooth playability and great sustain. It really likes going into a Plexi model set for slight breakup, and both the Sugar Drive and Purple Nurple on. It just sings. I was going to try some different amp models, but I couldn't stop playing and smiling like a kid on Christmas.

You just described P90's...

 

[Aahzz]

You just described P90's...

It's an epiphany moment for me. I've never really considered them because of their reputation for noise - figured I should finally take the plunge. Now my regret is that I didn't do it earlier.

 

[Prina]

P-90's and Plexi's(modeled or not): Heaven!

Welcome to a not too exclusive but very fun club!

 

[AP515]

It's an epiphany moment for me. I've never really considered them because of their reputation for noise - figured I should finally take the plunge. Now my regret is that I didn't do it earlier.

Almost everyone that tries P90's ends up saying similar things. I had one P90 guitar that was indeed noisy. I had to leave the switch in the middle position and flip it as I started playing. But the ones I have now are pretty quiet. It may be the quality of the juice coming in on the line. I hardly notice it now and the joy of P90's is so worth it.

 

[Monahan]

While I am an admitted PRS fanboi for most guitars, I have long desired a Les Paul Junior Double Cut in TV Yellow. When I discovered a couple days ago that Gibson had the Junior Double Cut again, I felt safe as the factory direct exclusive version in TV Yellow was sold out. Still, I signed up for the email alerts in case some more became available - which happened the next day. 15 minutes after receiving the email I had one on order, and since Nashville is nicely close to Northern KY, the guitar I ordered Monday arrived today.

Opened the case, and was immediately psyched. Gorgeous nitro finish, absolutely beautiful with the grain showing through nicely. The body appears to be 1 piece. Fit and finish is excellent, fretwork is great. Plugged in and the wow factor went even higher. Running through a Plexi model on my HX XL, with an MXR Sugar Drive and a BMF Purple Nurple in front, it's just pure Rock goodness. The tone control has a wide range of usability and it cleans up nicely with the volume. Fretwork is great. Apparently a lot of these have intonation issues, but mine is spot on, with the stock bridge - it's nice that they include the second lightning bolt bridge in the case, but I don't see me needing it.

So far, my only complaint is that the nitro on the neck is a wee bit sticky, but I also know that'll fade over time.

Why has it taken me until now to get a P-90 guitar???

Anyway, since I'm one of those guys that names his guitars, the name Penny came to me quickly, so meet Penny. I still like my PRSes, so I can't say "only" a Gibson is good enough, but I can say definitively that Penny is good enough.

Congrats!!

Such a great looking guitar!

Long have I lusted after the double-cut Jr's but in the cherry finish... Someday maybe I'll find one, however the planets will have to align just right (available funds/ agreeable wife).

Apparently Gibson has upped its QC game in the last year or so, which I'm happy to see. Gibson & Fender hold special places in the hearts of us older players that I hope PRS will hold in younger players many, many years from now

 

[Aahzz]

Congrats!!

Such a great looking guitar!

Long have I lusted after the double-cut Jr's but in the cherry finish... Someday maybe I'll find one, however the planets will have to align just right (available funds/ agreeable wife).

Apparently Gibson has upped its QC game in the last year or so, which I'm happy to see. Gibson & Fender hold special places in the hearts of us older players that I hope PRS will hold in younger players many, many years from now

Not to be an enabler, but the other color they're currently selling direct only is, in fact, cherry.

 

[XSNRG]

Congrats... I went back and forth on this in the dark walnut finish but decided I already had too many guitars.

 

[Mike J.]

Now I'm geeked on getting my SG Special back from the shop by the weekend after this coming one. Having a new neck pickup installed and having a bit of work done on the nut. It's player and then some!

 

[Aahzz]

Congrats... I went back and forth on this in the dark walnut finish but decided I already had too many guitars.

What is this "too many guitars" of which you speak???

 

[DreamTheaterRules]

What is this "too many guitars" of which you speak???

I think it’s like the Illuminati. People talk about it, but many people don’t think it’s real

 

[László]

What is this "too many guitars" of which you speak???

It's when you decide you spend too much time playing with the guitars instead of playing the guitars and making music, and you downsize.

I think it’s like the Illuminati. People talk about it, but many people don’t think it’s real

They're real, all right. They make pizza in Chicago.

https://www.loumalnatis.com/

 

[mixmkr]

Couple things. I guess the black headstock will hide the cigarette burn marks and the bridge can be put on straight, finding a qualified luthier. I guess they leave the location of the pickup selector switch to the buyer? The bottom strap button looks like it wore a dent in the interior case padding. It's funny how it almost looks like it was done intentionally, all squared off and everything.

I hope people dont just constantly give you a piece of their mind. Ya know... Penny for your thoughts!

Is it safe to sit over here?

 

[Aahzz]

I discovered today that this guitar really doesn't like 9s. I use 9s on all of my PRS, so I put a set on there and...NOPE! Sounded plinky. I briefly wondered if stock Gibson strings had some magic, but threw on a set of D'Addario 10s I had and there was the voice I love!

 

[SonicBlue]

The Juniors and Specials are the only G's that aren't an immediate hard pass for me, now that I've moved on. A TV Yellow CS Special was the last Gibson I bought before selling off my entire collection to never look back... but when I see a Jr like the one you posted, it gets me. They have all of the curves in the right places on them. Congrats!

Paul must agree to some degree since his first 2 guitars were Junior inspired.

 

[DreamTheaterRules]

One thing I think this thread clearly points out, along with many others in the past, and that is the need to re-introduce the SE One AND to introduce a US made S2 Version as well. Make them just what they were intended to be, a great playing, great sounding and “cheapest in it’s line” guitar for the masses.

 

[Aahzz]

One thing I think this thread clearly points out, along with many others in the past, and that is the need to re-introduce the SE One AND to introduce a US made S2 Version as well. Make them just what they were intended to be, a great playing, great sounding and “cheapest in it’s line” guitar for the masses.

And tweak it slightly - add a tone control. 1 pickup, 2 knobs.

 

[Aahzz]

The Juniors and Specials are the only G's that aren't an immediate hard pass for me, now that I've moved on. A TV Yellow CS Special was the last Gibson I bought before selling off my entire collection to never look back... but when I see a Jr like the one you posted, it gets me. They have all of the curves in the right places on them. Congrats!

Paul must agree to some degree since his first 2 guitars were Junior inspired.

That is a true beauty right there.