Gibson Custom 1957 Les Paul Junior Reissue, VOS, Purple Sparkle

This Gibson Custom Select 1957 Les Paul™ Junior Reissue features a custom Purple Sparkle finish, which turns this understated model into a statement piece. Gibson Custom Select offers unique specifications on guitars based on production models. These guitars are designed by Gibson’s experts who look into the fine details of each one. Unique specifications available through the Gibson Custom Select program can include custom finishes, unique hardware, and handpicked electronics. These guitars are handmade in Nashville, Tennessee, in small batches alongside regular Gibson Custom models.

The Gibson Les Paul Junior was introduced in 1954 as a stripped-down version of the Les Paul Standard. The Junior was made for student-level players and crafted by Gibson with the same level of craftsmanship at a lower price. Starting in the 60s, these guitars were played and preferred by many professional-level players. Aesthetic changes from the Les Paul Standard to the Junior include dot fretboard inlays instead of trapezoid inlays and no binding on the neck or body. The main difference between the Les Paul Standard and the Les Paul Junior is the body construction. While the Les Paul Standard uses a carved maple top on a mahogany body, the Les Paul Junior features a slab mahogany body for a more straightforward, stripped‑down build. A Dogear P-90 is mounted directly to the slab mahogany body, as well as a wraparound bridge. This no-nonsense approach to an electric guitar makes for a unique playing experience beloved by players of all skill levels.

The standout feature on this Gibson Custom Select 1957 Les Paul Junior Reissue is the Purple Sparkle finish. There are three levels of sparkle finishes available from Gibson Custom, including light, medium, and heavy coverage. The size of the sparkle remains the same across all three options, but the amount of sparkle increases with each level. This Gibson Custom Select 1957 Les Paul Junior Reissue features heavy sparkle coverage. This flash of color with the extra level of sparkle is a dramatic departure from the model’s stripped-down aesthetic. The guitar is also given the VOS treatment, which most notably includes slightly aged hardware, including the bridge, bridge posts, tuning machines, and mounting screws.

This Gibson Custom Select 1957 Les Paul Junior Reissue breaks the mold with such a loud finish on an otherwise understated model. While this model is usually seen in TV Yellow or Vintage Sunburst finishes, this Purple Sparkle finish brings a new attitude to a classic model. Included with the guitar is a hardshell case and a Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity.