I was looking for a Les Paul Junior (warning Chibson content)

OldGuitarPlayer · Nov 8, 2023

Hey all,
Basically I have not owned or played an electric guitar for years but lately I had the inclination to get a Les Paul Junior DC in the TV finish just like the one Johnny Thunders used back in the day. Since Epiphone hasn't produce such a guitar in years and I can't afford $5-$6K for a Gibson model I looked online for "replica" models.

Now I had no interest in getting one with the big "G' on the headstock and found a few blank headstock replicas that were in my price range online when as luck would have it... one came up for sale locally (sans case) on Kijiji! I couldn't believe it! Now the controversial part is it's a "Chibson" the seller had bought online and simply wanted to unload it because he already had 2 custom LP's. I don't know why he wanted to part with it since it's a really nice guitar.

The P90 growls like it should and it's got a fat neck. It also has the compensated wrap around bridge and the intonation is perfect. The tuners are Kluson style like the ones that came on an original 50's LP Jr. It's a very nice playing guitar and stays in tune but extremely heavy. As heavy as a regular Les Paul standard. Other than the weight I am very impressed. the workmanship rivals anything coming out of the Epiphone factory Fretwork is decent and quite level. No sharp fret ends either. The factory setup is quite good too.

Inside the control cavity. Large size pots.

Bridge & P90.

Oh and I also needed an amplifier to play it through in my tiny apt and found this Roland DAC-10 at a pawn shop for cheap. For such a small amp it sounds pretty good!

Thanks for looking!

2manyGuitars · Nov 8, 2023

Cool. Now sand the logo off or scratch “REPLICA” into the back of the headstock.

Grainslayer · Nov 8, 2023

Sounds like a dumb idea if its a nice guitar but whatever

phuzz · Nov 8, 2023

Does it have a truss rod? I keep hearing this sort of replica is often missing a truss rod.

Verne · Nov 8, 2023

I had a ZW bullseye Chibson and it did have a truss rod. Granted, mine was an older Chibson, so maybe they got even cheaper with the newer ones??

Verne · Nov 8, 2023

The big deal with Chibsons is when the seller knowingly advertises them as Gibsons. If you bought it being told it was a Chibson, then what you have is a Chibson NOT sold as an original. I'd not write replica either. These aren't replicas, they're counterfeit. Make sure it's known as a Chibson should you decide to move it along. Also mark it so that it will be easily identifiable as such. Buying and selling Chibsons isn't the overall issue, it's selling it as a Gibson.

2manyGuitars · Nov 9, 2023

Verne said:
The big deal with Chibsons is when the seller knowingly advertises them as Gibsons.

We’ll, there’s only one way to make sure that can never happen.

bigboki · Nov 9, 2023

congratulations, it looks really nice.
For the amp - just keep it at the ear level and it will sound MUCH better then if placed on the floor

Happy Rocking

OldGuitarPlayer · Nov 9, 2023

Thank you! Oh yes when I do play through the amp I put it on a tall barstool right next to me. That P90 just growls with the right amount of gain.

Steadfastly · Nov 9, 2023

That guitar style is not one that holds any want for me but I am glad you found one you really like. Sometimes those searches can take a long time to find. As for the headstock, don't worry about it. You know what it is and we can tell you are not going to sell it as a name brand guitar if you ever do sell it so play it and enjoy it.

BGood · Nov 9, 2023

Nice find if it plays and sounds good.

I was looking for a Les Paul Junior (warning Chibson content)

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