Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong launches new Les Paul Junior guitar

nme.com:

Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong has collaborated with Gibson to recreate one of his beloved guitars.Named the Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Junior, the new guitar is a replica of the punk icon’s own 1950s Les Paul model, which he is commonly seen sporting on stage.“The single cut 50’s Les Paul Junior has been the root of my guitar tone for over 20 years,” he said. “Ever since I bought ‘Floyd’, my 1956 Sunburst Junior, in the early 2000’s I have been addicted.

It’s a simple, raw, and powerful guitar that has a sound that just can’t be beat! Plug it straight into any tube amp, crank it and it will roar!”Designed for both punk and rock guitarists, the model has some similarities to Armstrong’s previous signature Les Paul Junior, released back in 2018.

This is seen with specs including a mahogany body, rosewood fretboard, and neck that comes in the guitarist’s own “slim taper” profile.Unlike the 2018 model, however, the 2023 model now sports a P-90 DC Dogear pick-up – something which manufacturer Gibson says better captures the sound of Armstrong’s own 1956 guitar.Available now for $2,199 (£1,789), the Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Junior comes in two colourways: Silver Mist and Vintage Ebony Gloss.

A custom-designed hardshell case is also included, which has a pink exterior and outlandish leopard-print interior. Find out more on Gibson’s website.Last November, Green Day confirmed that they have been working on a new studio album.