1958 vs 1959 GIBSON LES PAUL JUNIOR: A VINTAGE GUITAR SOUND COMPARISON
22 minutes ago
2 min read
There’s something special about playing a genuine vintage Gibson Les Paul Junior. Simple in design, with a single P-90 pickup and a direct, no-nonsense approach to electric guitar, these instruments have been part of the sound of rock ’n’ roll for generations.
During our October 2026 UK tour with Wishbone Ash, I took the opportunity to film a quick comparison of two of my own vintage Juniors — a 1958 and a 1959 — during sound check at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
It wasn’t a studio session or a carefully constructed demonstration. Just two old Gibsons, my usual guitar rig and a few minutes to hear them side by side.
TWO VINTAGE LES PAUL JUNIORS
The Les Paul Junior was designed around simplicity. Its single P-90 pickup, straightforward controls and solid mahogany construction give it a distinctive character that has made it a favourite among guitarists for decades.
Although my two guitars are only a year apart in age, I enjoy having the opportunity to compare them directly. Vintage instruments can have their own individual voices, and there’s no substitute for hearing them played rather than relying on specifications or descriptions.
So, rather than trying to tell you which one is better, I thought it would be more interesting to let you hear them for yourself.
THE GUITAR RIG
For this comparison, I used my Fender Hot Rod DeVille 4x10, with the amplifier set to its clean channel.
The overdrive came from a Friedman Dirty Shirley Overdrive pedal, with a Boss DD-500 Digital Delay providing the delay sounds.
Both guitars were played through the same rig, giving you an opportunity to compare their sounds in the same setting.
Of course, a short video can only tell you so much about a guitar. The way an instrument feels in your hands, responds to your playing and interacts with an amplifier is a big part of the experience.
WATCH THE COMPARISON
The video was filmed during a real Wishbone Ash sound check at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds while we were out on our October 2026 UK tour.
WHICH ONE DO YOU PREFER?
Now comes the interesting part.
Do you prefer the sound of the 1958 Gibson Les Paul Junior, or does the 1959 have the edge for you?
I'm always interested in hearing what other guitarists think about vintage instruments. There’s no right or wrong answer — sometimes it comes down to the smallest details, and sometimes it’s simply a question of which sound inspires you most.
Let me know which one you prefer in the comments on the YouTube video.
Mark AbrahamsGuitarist with Wishbone Ash
For more about my music, guitars and guitar-inspired merchandise, visit my official website:
