It’s been years and there’s too many nice guitars on the market that may fill that void.

My contentious emotions about Gibson aren’t any secret. Whereas I don’t hate Gibson, nor am I ever ruling out shopping for from them once more, I’ve sort of come to a degree the place I’m undecided protecting their gear is value my time and vitality. I’m lucky sufficient to personal two Gibson guitars, together with an Explorer from just a few years in the past and a closely modified Les Paul Particular that’s been via many iterations. So clearly, I do have a whole lot of love for Gibson guitars.

I’ve arguably essentially the most love of all for the common-or-garden Gibson Les Paul Junior. Whereas I’m largely a Fender participant, the Les Paul Junior has all the time been my favourite guitar. I dreamed of proudly owning a correct Junior after rising up idolizing Mick Jones, Billie Joe Armstrong, after which in recent times falling in love with Brian Baker of Dangerous Faith.

Nonetheless, I’ve additionally spent nearly all of my life strapped for money, which meant getting a correct Junior was exhausting. I attempted modding that aforementioned Les Paul Particular right into a Junior, although that guitar has been a let down when it comes to high quality management. I attempted a Harley Benton model that was enjoyable, reasonably priced, however once more, lacking one thing.

Dozens of different P90 guitars handed via my palms however none caught. Lastly, in a flip of luck, somebody provided to commerce me a Gibson Tribute Sequence Les Paul Junior Doublecut for my Fano Omnis JM6. This too was nonetheless not the magical Junior that I wanted for. The Tribute Sequence had been comparatively reasonably priced, and general strong, guitars put out by Gibson within the late 2010s, early 2020s. However ~$750 was riddles with tuning stability points and a comparatively underwhelming P90. I form of realized that looking for the a conventional Junior on a funds wasn’t going to be the reply.

Quick ahead to November 2022 and I lastly determined to go down a distinct route. After spending a while with a Moon Guitars Moon Burn, and forming a little bit of a friendship with the proprietor Kyle, I lastly determined it was time to spend money on one other customized guitar. I used to be and nonetheless am not significantly rich, so anytime I used to be going to pony up that sort of money for a guitar, I needed to actually suppose on it. Much more so when you think about the wait occasions related to a customized construct.

Meet The Moon Asteroid

Someday in the past Moon Guitars had come into possession of one other East Coast-based guitar firm whose designs I used to be keen on. As soon as Moon entered the image, I rushed to order this tackle the Coronet meets Les Paul Junior. Whereas Kyle and Moon are now not related to stated model, he was variety sufficient to nonetheless make me a one off model of the Asteroid with a novel headstock and self indulgent sparkly metallic purple end.

This guitar sports activities a single P90 (from Naked Knuckle), a wraparound bridge, and all of it equates to a stunningly easy guitar. However it’s so efficient for therefore few bells and whistles. The clear sounds of this Asteroid are loud, punchy, and in contrast to another guitar I personal. I instantly took this band follow the evening I acquired it and was not disillusioned within the slightest.

I’ve been shifting increasingly in the direction of these shorter scale lengths after years of preferring Fender’s 25.5″ scale size. I feel it’s as a result of the extra I’ve performed with a band, the extra I’ve realized it helps to make bends and a few awkward chord shapes accessible over lengthy setlists. So this 24 and 5/8ths was a pleasant, comfy change from my normal Strats and Teles.

Another key options embody the Honduran Mahogany physique and neck, Ebony fretboard, and set-neck building. Sadly no extra Asteroids with this precise spec shall be made, however after Moon Guitars relocate to the West Coast of the US, rumor has it some extra traditional shapes, together with the Asteroid will seem within the lineup with some altered specs! So positively keep tune for extra of those within the wild!

Clearly this isn’t a conventional guitar evaluate, as I can’t presumably evaluate a customized ordered guitar made for me to the opposite gear I evaluate. However I nonetheless thought it could be cool to share some backstory and level you in the direction of Moon Guitars and Kyle, who make among the coolest stuff within the biz! What do you consider my new software? Too excessive? Or simply proper?