Product Description
Vintage 1959 Gibson Les Paul Junior White Relic Refinish Guitar
Vintage 1959 Gibson Les Paul Junior White Relic Refinish Guitar
I’ve nicknamed this one “The Basketcase” — and once you hear the story, you’ll understand why
I picked it up in Ireland last week from a close friend of the legendary Ted Ponsonby (ex Van Morrison), who had owned and toured with it for many decades. The guitar originally started life as a late-1950s model, most likely a 1959 example based on the rounded body edges (1958 models are typically more squared off).
Over the years, Ted made several modifications to it. At one point, he added a neck pickup, though following a classic Gibson headstock break, the guitar underwent a repair using a wood graft where the neck meets the headstock. During this restoration, the added pickup was removed, the cavity filled, and the guitar refinished in its current white finish. Schaller tuners were also fitted at this time. The serial number was re-impressed during the refinishing process to preserve the original numbering. It also previously wore a Badass bridge before being returned to a non-original stop tailpiece setup. After speaking with Gibson experts in the States, the consensus is that this guitar almost certainly began life as a 1959 model. The pickup currently fitted appears to be a slightly later — but still early — late-1960s soapbar replacement. It measures just 7.184lbs.
So yes, it’s had quite a life… which is exactly why I call it The Basketcase. But despite its colourful history, it still has loads of vintage character and undeniable charm. It’s a real player’s piece with serious mojo, and it’s priced accordingly to sell. Please study the photos carefully as they form an important part of the description. A wonderfully quirky vintage Gibson with a story to tell — don’t miss it.
