The much-coveted single-cut Junior was produced from 1954 through to mid-1958, when the equally cool double-cut version was conceived. A slab Honduran mahogany body and chunky neck with Brazilian rosewood fingerboard provided a resonant platform for the single dog-ear P-90 single-coil and one-piece wrapover bridge.

Raw and rock 'n' roll it's been used by numerous players from Mountain's Leslie West to Green Day's Billy Joe Armstrong. Not bad for what was conceived as a sub-100 dollar 'student' guitar.

Price: From £5000

Best new equivalent: Gibson VOS 1957 Junior (£1799) (BUY: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann)

Mid-price choice: PRS SE One (£499)

Budget buy: Vintage VR100 LM (£219) (BUY: Thomann)

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• Now read: The best electric guitars under £1000
• And buy the iPad app: The 50 Best Guitars To Play Before You Die

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