Mojoaxe vs Music City Stud Finder Tailpiece for Les Paul Junior Intonation and Tone Compared to Vintage 1950s Wrapover

When it comes to upgrading or restoring a Vintage Les Paul Junior, one of the most debated components is the tailpiece. The original 1950s Gibson wrapover tailpiece has a distinct place in guitar history, but modern compensated designs like the Mojoaxe compensated tailpiece and the Music City Stud Finder offer alternatives that promise better intonation and tone. I’ve spent time comparing these options on Les Paul Juniors, focusing on how they affect tuning accuracy and sound quality. This post breaks down the differences, helping you decide which tailpiece suits your guitar and playing style best.

Understanding the Vintage 1950s Wrapover Tailpiece

The original wrapover tailpiece on a 1950s Les Paul Junior is simple and iconic. It combines the tailpiece and bridge into one piece of metal that wraps over the strings. This design was practical and durable but had limitations in terms of intonation. Since the saddle positions are fixed, players often found it difficult to get perfect tuning across all strings, especially when playing higher up the neck.

Tone-wise, the vintage wrapover tailpiece contributes to the Junior’s raw, punchy sound. The direct contact between strings and metal adds sustain and a certain brightness that many players love. However, some modern players want more precise tuning without sacrificing that classic tone.

What Makes a Compensated Wrapover Bridge Different?

A compensated wrapover bridge adjusts the saddle positions to better match the string lengths needed for accurate intonation. Instead of a straight bar, the compensated design has individual saddles or grooves set at slightly different lengths. This helps each string stay in tune across the fretboard, especially when playing chords or solos higher up the neck.

Both the Mojoaxe compensated tailpiece and the Music City Stud Finder use this principle but approach it differently. The goal is to maintain the vintage feel and tone while improving tuning accuracy.

Mojoaxe Compensated Tailpiece: Features and Performance

The Mojoaxe compensated tailpiece is a popular upgrade for Les Paul Juniors. It offers:

• Precise saddle compensation tailored for each string

• Solid lightweight aluminium construction, which adds warmth to the tone

• Easy installation with minimal modification to the guitar

• A design that closely mimics the vintage wrapover shape but with modern intonation improvements

  
  

In my experience, the Mojoaxe tailpiece improves tuning stability noticeably. Chords sound clearer and more in tune, especially when bending strings or playing higher notes. The aluminium material adds a subtle warmth and richness without losing the Junior’s characteristic bite.

Players who want the best compensated wraparound tailpiece often mention Mojoaxe for its balance of vintage vibe and modern precision.

Music City Stud Finder Bridge: Features and Performance

The Music City Stud Finder is another compensated wrapover option designed specifically for Les Paul Juniors. Its key features include:

• Individual saddle compensation with a unique stud design

• Steel construction, which tends to brighten the tone slightly

• Compatibility with original Gibson studs for easy swap

• A slightly more aggressive look compared to the Mojoaxe

  
  

The Stud Finder bridge delivers excellent intonation improvements. It’s especially effective for players who want a sharper attack and more defined note separation. The steel construction gives the guitar a bit more brightness and snap, which some players prefer for rock and blues styles.

Compared to the Mojoaxe compensated tailpiece, the Stud Finder can sound a bit more modern and edgy, but it still respects the vintage tonal character.

Mojoaxe bridge on Vintage Les Paul Junior

Intonation Comparison Between Mojoaxe and Music City Stud Finder

Both compensated tailpieces significantly improve intonation over the original 1950s wrapover. Here’s how they compare:

• Mojoaxe compensated tailpiece offers smoother, more natural intonation across all strings. It’s especially good for players who want a warm, balanced tone with accurate tuning.

• Music City Stud Finder provides sharper intonation with a slight edge in brightness. It’s ideal for players who want their notes to cut through the mix with precision.

  
  

In practical terms, if you play a lot of lead or complex chords, either tailpiece will help you stay in tune better than the vintage wrapover. The choice depends on whether you prefer a warmer or brighter tonal character.

Tone Differences Compared to the Vintage Wrapover

The original 1950s wrapover tailpiece has a raw, straightforward tone that many players cherish. It delivers:

• Strong sustain

• Bright attack

• A slightly compressed feel due to the fixed saddle design

  
  

Switching to a compensated wrapover changes the tone subtly:

• The Mojoaxe compensated tailpiece adds warmth and fullness thanks to its brass construction. It keeps the sustain but smooths out some of the harshness.

• The Music City Stud Finder adds brightness and clarity, making the guitar sound more articulate and lively.

  
  

Neither compensated tailpiece loses the essential character of the Vintage Les Paul Junior, but they offer tonal options depending on your style.

Installation and Setup Considerations

Installing either the Mojoaxe or Music City Stud Finder is straightforward for most players familiar with guitar maintenance. Both fit the original stud posts, so no drilling or permanent modifications are needed.

Setup tips:

• Adjust string height carefully to maintain comfortable action.

• Fine-tune saddle positions if possible to optimize intonation.

• Use a tuner and check intonation at the 12th fret for each string.

• Consider pairing the tailpiece with quality strings to maximize tone.

  
  

If you want the best compensated wraparound tailpiece experience, take your time during setup. Small adjustments can make a big difference.

Les Paul Junior with Music City Stud Finder tailpiece installed

Which Tailpiece Should You Choose for Your Vintage Les Paul Junior?

Choosing between the Mojoaxe compensated tailpiece and the Music City Stud Finder depends on your priorities:

• Choose Mojoaxe if you want a warmer tone with smooth intonation and a classic look.

• Choose Music City Stud Finder if you prefer brighter tone, sharper attack, and a slightly more modern sound.

• Keep reading to find out which tailpiece i would personally recommend!

Both options improve tuning accuracy over the vintage wrapover tailpiece, making them excellent upgrades for players who want better performance without losing the Junior’s vintage charm.

If you’re restoring a Vintage Les Paul Junior or upgrading your current setup, either compensated wrapover bridge will bring noticeable improvements. The decision comes down to your tonal preference and playing style.

My Conclusion

For me personally, there was no question to which i prefer - The Mojoaxe is the clear winner for me on all of the guitars i've used to compare as well as other guitars i have one installed on, it looks better, and retains more of the character of the original Gibson wraparound bridge which i adore while intonationg perfectly.

I also had issues with the Music City Bridge not fitting on the original posts of any of the vintage Gibsons even though they claim it should.

Guitar references used for this comparison:

• 1956 Gibson Les Paul Junior Single Cut

• 1958 Gibson Les Paul Junior Single Cut

• 1959 Gibson Les Paul Junior Double Cut

• 1960 Gibson Les Paul Junior Double Cut