• From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Topic: GIBSON MELODY MAKER versus LES PAUL JUNIOR

Can someone tell me the difference between these 2 guitars?
I believe they both have 1 single coil pick-up.
MORE IMPORTANT:
- Is the MM or the JUNIOR designed for a specific style in music?
- EXAMPLE: blues? Rock?

A Melody Maker beats a lot of guitars if you consider the price, is it worth to buy a MM? Again because I don't have a clue about the "target group" of guitar players.

There is also a "discontinued" model of the MM with dual pick-ups.

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

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  • From: Nottingham, UK
  • Registered: 2006-08-08
  • Posts: 690

Re: GIBSON MELODY MAKER versus LES PAUL JUNIOR

The MelodyMaker was meant to be Gibsons' cheapest guitar, to lure penniless kids away from Silvertone or Danelectro. It's was probably still expensive next to Sears catalogue brands though. It's had several incarnations and opinion differs as to how good any of them were.

The Junior was meant to be a lighter 'student' version of the Les Paul. It has many big name supporters such as Mick Jones of the Clash.

I don't think Gibson understood their market when they issued these guitars. Blues and rock were pretty fringe styles in the 50s, 60s...

'The sound of the city seems to disappear'
  • Registered: 2007-12-24
  • Posts: 67

Re: GIBSON MELODY MAKER versus LES PAUL JUNIOR

Agreed.
The MM's and JR's had similar construction, but the MM pickups were weak and thin sounding (and not exactly the same size as common after market replacement pickups). The JR's usually had P90 pickups which are nice for blues, roots or DIY rock. They really bark through a cranked tube amp.