1990s Epiphone Les Paul Jr Rubber-Bridge Mod Electric Guitar

Overview: This is a run-of-the-mill, Korean-made, LP Jr model that I've modified to a rubber-bridge guitar with a single lipstick pickup in the middle/bridge position. This gives it some snap and brightness that a lot of rubber-bridgers lack and means it sits beautifully in a mix if you want to accentuate rhythm sounds with it. The tone control lets you roll-off the treble to get back to a more-normal rubber-bridge tone, too.

I've used this guitar on both of my last albums -- first with the original humbuckers in place and then second in this configuration -- and I much prefer this setup with the funky old Kay tailpiece and lipstick single-coil pickup. I now have a '90s Danelectro with a rubber saddle fit and a third rubber-bridger in the house so this is surplus to my needs but still a great instrument to have around.

The Vermont license plate is a true '60s-ish vintage item (and dang clean) and the Kay tailpiece is '60s. The tuners are upgrades compared to the originals and the body is hogged-out under the plate for some weight relief. I also moved the jack from the side to the top (which is where I like them -- easy to get at).

The neck is on the fatter-shoulders side and you will like it if you're into old '50s Gibson necks, though it may be bigger than you're expecting on a modern electric guitar. One nice thing about this old Korean LP Jrs is that the build quality is definitely several notches better than the ones that replaced them in the early 2000s. Aside from modding, I didn't have to do much else to turn it into a good player.

Repairs included: I modded it and then set it up. It's ready to go and playing spot-on.

• Weight: 6 lbs 3 oz
• Scale length: 24 3/4"
• Nut width: 1 11/16"
• Neck shape: medium C/D
• Board radius: 12"
• Depth at first fret: 0.85"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.9"
• Body width: 13"
• Body depth: 1 1/2"
• Body wood: basswood?
• Bridge: aluminum base with rubber saddle
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: unsure (mahogany-like?)
• Pickups: 1x single coil w/tone and volume controls
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 46w-10
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: wide/medium-height

Condition notes: It's been modified, of course, and has some light scratching here and there and a long finish hairline crack on the back (pictured) that's just in the clearcoat.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: JW