From Guitar World · · 2m
Gary Moore's 1955 Les Paul Junior: Sex Pistols' Guitar
Gary Moore's 1955 Gibson Les Paul Junior sold for £40,960 after Steve Jones left it at his flat.
In brief
Gary Moore's 1955 Gibson Les Paul Junior sold for £40,960 after Steve Jones left it at his flat. Gary Moore bought a 1955 Gibson Les Paul Junior from Steve Jones of The Sex Pistols in the 1970s, which later sold for £40,960 at auction. Originally reported by Guitar World.
1950s Christmas Gift
Johnny begged for an electric guitar as Christmas approached in 1950s America.
Gibson's Student Models
Gibson made affordable student guitars that were good enough for careers.
1954 Les Paul Junior
Gibson released the Les Paul Junior in 1954 as a simpler, cheaper version of the Goldtop.
Mahogany Body
The Junior had a flat mahogany body without maple arching or binding.
P-90 Pickup
The Junior included a P-90 pickup, a high-end feature for student models.
Gary's First Junior
Gary Moore bought his first Les Paul Junior from a private house in Cincinnati in the early 1970s.
Steve Jones' Guitar
Steve Jones of The Sex Pistols sold Gary Moore a 1955 Les Paul Junior in the 1970s.
The Greedy Bastards
Gary and Steve Jones played together in a short-lived band called The Greedy Bastards in 1978.
Gary's Story
Gary said Steve Jones left his guitar at his flat and he bought it for £250.
1979 Black Rose Tour
Gary used the Junior on Thin Lizzy's Black Rose tour in 1979.
2025 Auction
Bonhams sold Gary's 1955 Les Paul Junior for £40,960 in November 2025.
Matt's Purchase
Matt from Matt's Guitar Shop bought the Junior for £40,960 in Paris.
Will Wallner
Will Wallner, a Gary Moore fan, bought the Junior for £40,960 in Paris.
The Incident
Steve Jones threw the Junior against the wall and left it at Gary's flat.
Current Use
Will Wallner plays the Junior live and in the studio after buying it in 2025.
What it means
Gary Moore bought a 1955 Gibson Les Paul Junior from Steve Jones of The Sex Pistols in the 1970s, which later sold for £40,960 at auction.
