There's just something about an old guitar that's put the work in year after year for decades- the way it feels in your hands, the way the worn finish looks, how the wood moves against your body. It's that experience that makes vintage guitars so revered. And if you could bottle the idea of what that is in your head, chances are, it would look something like this 1959 Gibson Les Paul Junior.

By all accounts, this '59 doublecut skipped out of Kalamazoo in the earlier part of the year. Why, do you ask? For one, it's got the first-year slab-body construction with the sharper edge radius. Second, it's rocking that unmistakably full neck carve that is so prevalent in '58 and into early/mid '59. Small details, we know, but in such a utilitarian instrument, they become all the more noticeable.

At just over 7lbs on our scale, this Junior has what we'd consider a "goldilocks" weight. Comfortably light, but not to the point where it almost feels unnatural or imbalanced. That larger C neck is a dream to play, too, and most certainly plays a role in how the guitar hangs on a strap or sits in your lap.

It has a uniquely dry, woody, and punchy acoustic tone, and that's sort of mimicked in its appearance. Some of its original finish has dried up and flaked in areas, but without losing too much of its color. We removed the original but worn tailpiece in favor a new Music City Bridge Studfinder wraparound tailpiece, which has improved intonation and playability dramatically. Otherwise, its electronics remain original, with a strong and clear sounding P90 pickup that gives this Junior a natural ability to poke through a stage or studio mix.

Beyond the obvious external wear, you'll notice that a small sliver of the upper edge of the bass-side headstock wing had cracked. It was subsequently reglued prior to our acquisition, and the repair was stable and effective to where it warranted no further attention. It does not affect the integrity of the headstock, the function of the tuners, and at this stage is purely cosmetic.