Strong arm tactics

The new Epiphone Billie Joe Armstrong LP Jr is every bit a standard issue LP Jr with more than $100 difference between the models. Will you pay more for one? Why was this released in the first place when it's just an endorsed version without material difference? Whatever, Epiphone.

Pic: Epiphone

Re-string Jr

I'm still enjoying my P90 moments, maybe it's the coming of age. Maybe I've been listening to doom metal  bands for quite a bit & embrace this choice of pickup for that heavy, fuzz tone. This LP Jr is one of my best P90 tones. Then again, all the P90 equipped guitars I own hold their own in terms of tone.

Fresh set of strings - D'Addario EXP 10s. I have no idea if these are still available off the shelf. This pack is one of those forgotten ones hibernating in one of my guitar bags. It might have been there for a year but knowing D'Addario & their stand for quality, the strings remain usable. Outstanding. Note the slight cosmetic make-over, the Jr's truss rod cover was replaced with a blacked-out version to match the pick guard. I'm also not in favour of truss rod covers that display the model name.

Steer Jr

I've been spending time with my Les Paul Jr due to Bill Steer. Many of us know him for his remarkable Carcass materials but he's also that heavy blues rock guy who is not all shred & grind. FYI, Steer's other band, Firebird, is now defunct but the releases had an impact on me. It taught me to observe restraint & deliver the music according to planned structures, not just bent on chaos & anger. Also, Steer, together with Holdsworth, showed what a single pickup guitar could do & this re-inforces my belief that pickup choices are definitely personal. 

Subtle difference, if you notice at all. Have a good weekend, everyone. 

Crack

I can never come to terms with the default Gibson strap buttons (right). They made way for the D'Addarios. 

I don't know why Gibson could not include a strap button felt cushion to prevent this from happening. Folks, if you pressure a metal contraption against a lacquered surface without any cushioning, over time, if this pressure is released, the surface will crack. 

This, to me, is a necessary supplement to any guitars featuring strap buttons. It's not a costly investment, folks, so do consider.

The guitar in question is my LP Junior.

Epiphone: 2020 (4)

Not too many entries ago, I cited the remarkable increase in price for the LP Jr. That was the Gibson version. I'm definitely glad that there's an Epiphone version for 2020 & it will (hopefully) costs about a quarter of the Gibson's list price. 

Still on the P-90 front, the SG Special is also available. The reason why I am highlighting these models is because Epiphone actually went the extra mile to include these 'lesser' or student models in their new lineup. The utilitarian profile of these models would mean it remains viable in terms of sales & won't be sitting in the corner reserved for quirky, forgotten models.