SG Junior

Introduced in 1961, the **Junior** slotted above the Melody Maker and below the Special. It was produced continuously for a decade, until both the Junior and Melody Maker were effectively replaced in mid-1971 by the SG-100. However, there was a limited run of SG-100 Junior models in 1972. Since then, it has been reissued occasionally and is widely considered a staple of the SG lineup by fans.

**Related:**

* Melody Maker
* SG-100
* SG-I
* All-American I / SG-X

## 1961 - 1965

While Gibson literature treated the SG/LP Junior and the SG TV as separate models, this page will treat them as one. The only real difference besides the finish is that SG TV models never used a "Les Paul" silkscreen on the headstock.

**Note:** TV Yellow is a translucent finish, although it may sometimes look opaque until you get close enough.

* **1961-1963:** $147.50
	+ +$27.50 for Tremotone vibrola
* **1964:** $155
* **1965:** $165

**Body:**

* Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
* Angled heel
* Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

**Neck:**

* 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
* Set-in construction
	+ 3 degree angle
	+ Hot hide glue
	+ Joins body at 22nd fret

* Brazilian Rosewood fretboard
	+ Celluloid dot inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Indian Rosewood fretboard (Late 1965)
	+ Celluloid dot inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Medium Open Book headstock
	+ Gibson logo decal
	+ Silk-screened "Les Paul Junior" (Cherry finish only)
		- 1961-mid 1963
	+ 17o pitch
	+ 14o pitch (Mid/Late 1965)
* 22 frets
* 24 5/8" scale

* 1 11/16" nut width (1961-1965)
* 1 5/8" nut width (Mid 1965)
* 1 9/16" nut width (Late 1965)

**Binding:**

* None

**Note:** Polaris White & Pelham Blue finished models sometimes had bound necks, but were always painted over the side of the fretboard regardless.

**Electronics:**

* One "Dog Ear" P-90 w/ black plastic cover
	+ Short AlNiCo V magnet (sometimes AlNiCo II)
	+ ~8k Ohms D.C. resistance
* 1 Vol, 1 Tone
	+ Centralab 500k pots (1961 - 1963)
	+ CTS 500k pots (mid 1963 - 1965)
	+ Ceramic "disk" capacitor

    **Hardware:**

* Nickel hardware
* Chrome Hardware (1965)
* Kluson 3-on-a-plate tuning machines
	+ 1:12 ratio
	+ White plastic oval buttons
* 2-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard (1961-1963)
	+ Shallow bevel angle
* 3-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard (1964-1965)
	+ Shallow bevel angle
* Bell shaped truss rod cover, single-ply
* Black Bell knobs (early 1961 only)
* Black Reflector knobs
* Angled wraparound bridge/tailpiece
* Compensated wraparound bridge/tailpiece (Late 1962-1965)
	+ Compensated for wound G string
* Optional Maestro Tremotone Vibrola (1961-1963)
* Optional Short Maestro Vibrola (1962-1964)
* Standard Short Maestro Vibrola (1965)

**Finishes:**

* Cherry
* TV Yellow (SG TV, 1961)
* Polaris White (SG TV, 1962-1965)
* Ebony (Custom Order)
* Pelham Blue (Custom Order)
* Cardinal Red (Custom Order)
* Sunburst (Custom Order)

## 1966 - 1971

The Batwing pickguard design debuted in mid-to-late 1966.

* **1966:** $165
* **1967:** $169
* **1968:**
	+ January: $179
	+ June: $189
* **1969:** $199
* **1970:** $225
* **1971:** $250

**Body:**

* Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
* Angled heel (1966-1968)
* Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

**Neck:**

* 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
* 3-pc laminated Honduran Mahogany (mid 1969-1971)
* Set-in construction
	+ Titebond glue
	+ Joins body at 19th fret
* Indian Rosewood fretboard
	+ Acrylic dot inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Open Book headstock
	+ Medium (1966-1968)
	+ Narrow (1969-1971)
	+ Body-color-matched (1971)
	+ Volute (mid/late 1969-1971)
	+ Gibson logo decal (1966-1969)
		- Classic font style
	+ Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo (1970-1971)
		- Squared font style
	+ "Made in U.S.A." stamp (late 1970-1971)
	+ 14o pitch
* 22 frets
* 24 5/8" scale (1966-1969)
* 24 9/16" scale (1969-1971)
* 1 9/16" nut width

**Binding:**

* None

**Note:** Polaris White & Pelham Blue finished models sometimes had bound necks, but were always painted over the side of the fretboard regardless.

**Electronics:**

* One "Soapbar" P-90 w/ black plastic cover
	+ Short AlNiCo V magnet
	+ ~8k Ohms D.C. resistance
* 1 Vol, 1 Tone
	+ CTS 500k pots
	+ Ceramic "disk" capacitor

**Hardware:**

* Chrome hardware
* Kluson 3-on-a-plate tuning machines
	+ 1:12 ratio
	+ Chrome or white plastic oval buttons
	+ Closed gears
* Mandolin style 3-on-a-plate tuning machines (sporadic)
	+ 1:14 ratio
	+ Chrome oval buttons
	+ Open gears
* 3-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard (early 1966)
	+ Shallow bevel angle
* 3-ply "Batwing" pickguard (mid / late 1966 - 1971)
	+ Shallow bevel angle
* Bell shaped truss rod cover, single-ply
* Black Reflector knobs (1966 - mid 1967)
* Black Witch Hat knobs (mid 1967 - 1971)
* Compensated wraparound bridge/tailpiece
	+ Compensated for wound G string
* Short Maestro Vibrola

**Finishes:**

* Cherry
* Polaris White (1966-1968)
* Walnut (1969-1971)
* Sparkling Burgundy (Custom Order)

## SG-100 Junior (1972)

As the SG-100 was being replaced by the SG I in late 1972/early 1973, some were made with the SG I's style of control plate.

* **Limited run:** 272 produced

**Body:**

* Beveled, solid Poplar body
	+ No cutaway bevels
* Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

**Neck:**

* 1-pc Maple
* Set-in construction
	+ No angle
	+ Titebond glue
	+ Joins body at 18th fret
* Indian Rosewood fretboard
	+ Acrylic dot inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Large Open Book headstock
	+ Gibson logo decal
	+ Volute
	+ "Made in U.S.A." stamp
	+ Shallow pitch
* 22 frets
* 24 9/16" scale
* 1 9/16" nut width

**Electronics:**

* One "Dog Ear" P-90
	+ Short AlNiCo V magnet
	+ ~8.5k Ohms D.C. resistance
	+ Chrome cover w/ "Gibson" engraving
* 1 Vol, 1 Tone
	+ CTS 500k pots
	+ Ceramic "disk" capacitor

**Hardware:**

* Chrome hardware
* Kluson Deluxe 3-on-a-plate tuning machines
	+ 1:12 ratio
	+ Enclosed gears
	+ Chrome Keystone buttons
* Single-ply Les Paul pickguard
* Bell shaped truss rod cover, single-ply
* Black Witch Hat knobs
* Chrome front-mounted control plate
* Black plastic front-mounted control plate (late '72/early '73)

* Fully adjustable bridge
	+ "Gibson" engraved bridge cover

* Compensated wraparound bridge/tailpiece (late '72/early '73)
	+ Compensated for wound G string

**Finishes:**

* Cherry
* Walnut

## 1991 - 1994 Reissue

    **Note:** 1994 models used a different serial number format of "YY######" to celebrate Gibson's Centennial Anniversary.

* 1991-1994

**Body:**

* Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
* Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

**Neck:**

* 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
* 1961 Slim Taper D profile (.800 / .875")
* Set-in construction
	+ '61 Reissue style heel
	+ Joins body at 22nd fret

* Rosewood fretboard
	+ Acrylic dot inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Narrow Open Book headstock
	+ Gibson logo decal
	+ 17o pitch
* 22 medium frets
* 24 9/16" scale
* 1 11/16" width

**Electronics:**

* One "Dog Ear" P-100 "stacked" humbucker
	+ Black plastic cover
	+ ~8-9k Ohms D.C. resistance
* 1 Vol, 1 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Chrome hardware
* Grover Rotomatic tuning machines
	+ 1:14 ratio
* 3-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
* Bell shaped truss rod cover
	+ 2-ply b/w
* Black Reflector knobs
* ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* Ebony
* Wine Red
* TV Yellow

## 2000 - 2007 Reissue

* $699 Street (2007)

**Body:**

* Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
* Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

**Neck:**

* 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
* '50s Rounded C profile (.830" / .970")
* Set-in construction
	+ Standard style heel
	+ Joins body at 19th fret

* Rosewood fretboard
	+ Acrylic dot inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Narrow Open Book headstock
	+ Gibson logo decal
	+ 17o pitch
* 22 medium frets
* 24 9/16" scale
* 1 11/16" width

**Electronics:**

* One "Soapbar" P-90 w/ black plastic cover
	+ AlNiCo V magnet
	+ ~8k Ohms D.C. resistance
* 1 Vol, 1 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Chrome hardware
* Grover "Gibson Deluxe" tuning machines
	+ 1:14 ratio
	+ White oval buttons
	+ Manufactured by Ping
* 5-ply "Batwing" pickguard
* Bell shaped truss rod cover
	+ 2-ply b/w or 1-ply black
* Black Reflector or Bell knobs
* Compensated wraparound bridge/tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* Ebony
* Wine Red

**Limited Runs:**

* Yamano Japan
	+ 2006
	+ White pickguard
		- Coral Pink
		- Carribean Blue
		- Corona Yellow

## 2011 "Junior '60s"

* 2011-2012
* $849 Street
* $599 Street (2013 price drop)

**Body:**

* Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
* Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

**Neck:**

* 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
* 1961 Slim Taper D profile (.800 / .875")
* Set-in construction
	+ Standard style heel
	+ Joins body at 19th fret

* Baked Maple fretboard
	+ Acrylic dot inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Narrow Open Book headstock
	+ Gibson logo decal
	+ 17o pitch
* 22 medium frets
* 24 9/16" scale
* Corian nut
	+ 1 11/16" width

**Electronics:**

* One "Dog Ear" P-90 w/ black plastic cover
	+ AlNiCo V magnet
	+ ~8k Ohms D.C. resistance
* 1 Vol, 1 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Chrome hardware
* TonePros "Kluson Deluxe" tuning machines
	+ 1:15 ratio
	+ Green Keystone buttons
* 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
* Bell shaped truss rod cover, double-ply
* Black Reflector knobs
* Angled wraparound bridge/tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* Heritage Cherry
* Ebony

## 2016 Reissue

* Limited "Proprietary" Run
* Japanese market exclusive
* ~$1,290 - $1,370 Street

**Body:**

* Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
* Deeper cutaway bevels
* Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

**Neck:**

* 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
* 1961 Slim Taper D profile (.800 / .875")
* Set-in construction
	+ '61 Reissue style heel
	+ Joins body at 22nd fret

* Rosewood fretboard
	+ Acrylic dot inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Narrow Open Book headstock
	+ Gibson logo decal
	+ 17o pitch
* 22 medium frets
* 24 9/16" scale
* 1 11/16" width

**Electronics:**

* One "Dog Ear" P-90 w/ black plastic cover
	+ AlNiCo V magnet
	+ ~8k Ohms D.C. resistance
* 1 Vol, 1 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Nickel hardware
* TonePros "Kluson Deluxe" tuning machines
	+ 1:15 ratio
	+ White oval buttons
* Grover "Gibson Deluxe" tuning machines
	+ 1:14 ratio
	+ White oval buttons
	+ Manufactured by Ping
* 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
* Bell shaped truss rod cover
	+ 2-ply b/w
	+ "Junior" script
* Black Reflector or Bell knobs
* Angled wraparound bridge/tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* Heritage Cherry

## 2018 Reissue

* $1,219 - $1,429 Street

**Body:**

* Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
* Deeper cutaway bevels
* Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

**Neck:**

* 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
* 1961 Slim Taper D profile (.800 / .875")
* Set-in construction
	+ '61 Reissue style heel
	+ Joins body at 22nd fret

* Indian Rosewood fretboard
	+ Acrylic dot inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Narrow Open Book headstock
	+ Gibson "Script" logo decal
	+ "Only a Gibson is Good Enough" banner (rear)
	+ 17o pitch
* 22 medium frets
* 24 9/16" scale
* Tektoid nut
	+ 1 11/16" width

**Electronics:**

* One "Dog Ear" P-90 w/ black plastic cover
	+ AlNiCo V magnet
	+ ~8k Ohms D.C. resistance
* 1 Vol, 1 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Nickel hardware
* Grover "Gibson Deluxe" tuning machines
	+ 1:14 ratio
	+ White oval buttons
	+ Manufactured by Ping
* 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
* Bell shaped truss rod cover, double-ply
* Black Bell knobs
* Angled wraparound bridge/tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* Vintage Cherry

## 2019 - Present

* $1,399 Street

**Body:**

* Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
* Deeper cutaway bevels
* Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

**Neck:**

* 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
* 1961 Slim Taper D profile (.800 / .875")
* Set-in construction
	+ '61 Reissue style heel
	+ Joins body at 22nd fret

* Indian Rosewood fretboard
	+ Acrylic dot inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Narrow Open Book headstock
	+ Gibson logo decal
	+ 17o pitch
* 22 medium-jumbo frets
* 24 9/16" scale
* Graph Tech nut
* 1 11/16" nut width

**Electronics:**

* One "Dog Ear" P-90 w/ black plastic cover
	+ AlNiCo V magnet
	+ ~8k Ohms D.C. resistance
* 1 Vol, 1 Tone
	+ Orange Drop cap

**Hardware:**

* Nickel hardware
* Grover "Gibson Deluxe" tuning machines
	+ 1:14 ratio
	+ White oval buttons
	+ Manufactured by Ping
* 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
* Bell shaped truss rod cover, double-ply
* Black Bell knobs
* Angled wraparound bridge/tailpiece (2019-2020)
* Compensated wraparound bridge/tailpiece (2020-present)

**Finishes:**

* Vintage Cherry

## Historic 1963 SG Junior Reissue (2020 - Present)

    Like other Custom Shop models, this is available to be custom ordered via Made 2 Measure with any features desired.

* $2,999 Street
* $4,399 Street (Antique Pelham Blue, Light Aged)

**Body:**

* Solid Honduran Mahogany body
* One-piece construction
* Historic deep beveling
* Tapered horn tips
* Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish
	+ VOS patina
	+ Aniline dye

**Neck:**

* 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
* Medium C profile (.860" / .940")
* Set-in construction
	+ Hot hide glue
	+ Unsheathed truss rod
	+ Joins body at 22nd fret
* Indian Rosewood fretboard
	+ Pearloid dot inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Medium Open Book headstock
	+ Gibson logo decal
	+ 17opitch
* 22 medium-jumbo frets
	+ Leveled by Plek machine
* 24 5/8" scale
* Nylon nut
	+ Cut by Plek machine
* 1 11/16" nut width

**Electronics:**

* One "Dog Ear" P-90
	+ AlNiCo V magnet
	+ ~8K Ohms DCR
	+ Black plastic cover
* 1 Vol, 1 Tone
	+ CTS 500k pots
	+ Hand-wired

**Hardware:**

* Nickel hardware
	+ VOS patina
* Gotoh Kluson-reissue tuning machines
	+ 1:15 ratio
	+ 3-on-a-plate style
	+ White plastic oval buttons
	+ Single line
* 3-ply pickguard
	+ Standard bevel angle
* Bell shaped truss rod cover
	+ Single-ply
* Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
* Compensated Aluminum wraparound bridge/tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* Cherry Red

**Limited Runs:**

* Bright TV Yellow
	+ 2020
	+ Japanese market exclusive
	+ $3,199 Street
* Antique Pelham Blue
	+ 2020
	+ "CME Spec" exclusive
	+ $3,699 Street