Melody Maker Special vs LP Jr. Special

There's a lot of 'special' going around these days.

I've got these two on order and hopefully they'll arrive in the next couple of weeks. I'll then choose which one I want the most.

Melody Maker Special
http://www.guitar-planet.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Melody-Maker-Special-900c.jpg

LP Jr. Special
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4315/ls90svch1finishshot.jpg (http://img59.imageshack.us/i/ls90svch1finishshot.jpg/)


Looks wise I'm probably enamored with the LP Jr Special the most. Can't wait to check them out. They both look like good deals to me. The MM is $700CDN and the Jr. is $815CDN.

This all began earlier this week when I bought a used MM 59 RI and had fun with it for a couple of days and then I was already starting to make plans to replace the stock singlecoil pickup with a dogear P90. So I got to thinking why not just get one with a P90? So I discovered the MM Special!! Then I thought I can probably get an LP Jr for not much more and so then I discovered the LP Jr Special. Imagine my happiness!! So I returned the used MM and now I've got one of each of the others on the way!!! I'm glad my music store is so accomadating. :mrgreen:

You probably won't enjoy the intonation of the MM with that wraparound bridge. On the other hand, I do like the looks of MMs a lot more than LPs. But that's just me I guess. Never fancied an LP for some reason.

The wraparound bridge is easy enough to replace with an intonatable version so I'm not so worried about that.

There's nothing like an LP with P90's.

I have an Epi '56 LP w/P90's that's an older Korean model and it's a nice guitar that sounds and plays great. But that Jr. Special sure is purty.

Just based on looks alone, I'm partial to the LP. I'd have to play them both before I made any decisions.

CC

I just got the LP Jr. Special w/ P-90's...I tried the MM and I can tell you that at least to me, the LP Jr. felt to be twice the instrument of the MM. YMMV, but for me there was no comparison.

Wait till you get your meat hooks on that LP Jr...you will know what I'm talking about, and the pickups are fantastic.

I played them both, bought the les Paul junior special in red

The wraparound bridge is easy enough to replace with an intonatable version so I'm not so worried about that.


But it would require drilling holes right? There is no other way? I'm only asking because I noticed lately that they keep coming up with versions of things that do not require any more holes (e.g. stetsbar tremolo).

I played them both, bought the les Paul junior special in red

Cool. I like the cherry one as well but to my eye I prefer the vintage burst best. I'm crazy about two tone bursts.

Why did you prefer the LP Jr.?




But it would require drilling holes right? There is no other way? I'm only asking because I noticed lately that they keep coming up with versions of things that do not require any more holes (e.g. stetsbar tremolo).

There are quite a number of drop in replacement wraparound bridges that are intonateable. They're sort of a combination of tune-o-matic and wraparound.

Here's an example.
http://www.mummyshop.com/imagesitem/original/263_5638.jpg

There are so many intonatable wraparounds these days you really shouldn't have to if your guitar has a standard post spacing. IIRC it is 2 1/16" center to center. Tonepros has a bunch of different wraparounds, pigtail, schaller, wilkinson all can be found on ebay.

IIRC it is 2 1/16" center to center. .

The standard is 3-1/4" post to post.

Nice!! In that case, I would be tempted to get a melody maker with a single p90 at the bridge... damn! :-)

Nice!! In that case, I would be tempted to get a melody maker with a single p90 at the bridge... damn! :-)

It's tempting to get them all!!
But, unfortunately, that isn't going to happen.

I played both, the quality of the junior was better, I preferred the bridge on the junior, the controls and the pickguard on the junior. My buddy bought a MM and love his, it's fun to play when we hang out.

I played both, the quality of the junior was better, I preferred the bridge on the junior, the controls and the pickguard on the junior. My buddy bought a MM and love his, it's fun to play when we hang out.

I have a strong feeling I'm going to wind up with the Jr. but ya never know...I may go home with the MM after I A/B them. Only time will tell.

The standard is 3-1/4" post to post.
Yeah, duh was thinking string spacing on one I had looked at, 2 1/16" would be pretty tight...

Yeah, duh was thinking string spacing on one I had looked at, 2 1/16" would be pretty tight...

The only reason I know the spacing off the top of my head is because I was looking at replacing the bridge on the MM that I had for a few days before I found out about the other two guitars mentioned in my OP. I'll have completely forgotten what the spacing is in a day or two.:mrgreen:

i haven't played a MM, but i bought a LPJS back in may, it looks alot like the one in the post above. i think it's a great guitar. i think it was set-up on gibson's plek machine cause it is very easy to play.

I'd miss the MM headstock. Doesn't look right without it.

I dunno anything about the LPJRs, but I LOVE my MM.

I'd miss the MM headstock. Doesn't look right without it.

Yeah, that's the first thing I noticed and I agree with you. They should have left well enough alone.

I prefer the MM. I like the electronic set up. Two pots, and I like the selector switch position better. I also like the wrap-around bridge. I believe it conveys the vibrations to the body better, resulting in better resonance and sustain.

another option is to check out the Epi LPJ P90 special. Has a bolt neck but a decent guitar for only $129. Has a tone sucking cap which I replaced and brought back it's P90 rowdiness.

The Melody Maker Special is a really nice guitar. I got one for $380 USD plus tax at Sam Ash. It has soapbar P-90s, so there's no monkeying around with dogear shims to dial in the pickups and I like the simplicity of master tone and volume controls. The frets are awfully high. If things work out, I'm replacing the zamak (pot metal zink) wrap around with a Pigtail or Tonepros.

I prefer the MM. I like the electronic set up. Two pots, and I like the selector switch position better. I also like the wrap-around bridge. I believe it conveys the vibrations to the body better, resulting in better resonance and sustain.


Yes! Also, the strings feel slinkier and bend a bit easier. A solid bridge will always have more sustain than any Tune-O-Matic or roller bridge.

The wrap-around that I have has been compensated so it is quite close to great intonation. The biggest problem is the G string. I set it first, then fine tune the E and e strings. You adjust it by turning the adjustment screws by the posts.

If you are lucky the MelodyMaker will have the bridge positioned properly. I don't think you can beat a wraparound..... that's in the right place. I have a '59 reissue that plays in tune at least well as my Les Pauls. There's something about that solid wraparound that gives more 'balls' . I think Gibson shied away from that because it takes close tolerances to place that thing properly = more time = more money. The lightning bolt ain't too bad, but the smooth solid wraparound centered and at the correct angle is the best. Just my opinion. :cool:

Those wraparound bridges offer up some interesting harmonics that you won't get with a reg bridge and tailpiece. That said, I always take perfect intonation over the other.