Gibson Murphy Lab Acoustic Buyers Guide
From our luthiers at Gibson’s Acoustic craftory in Bozeman, Montana, Gibson Murphy Lab Acoustic Guitars have taken the world of music by storm, offering musicians an unparalleled experience in tone, craftsmanship, and vintage appeal. In this official Gibson Murphy Lab Acoustic Buyers Guide video, Dinesh Lekhraj demos a full range of acoustic guitars as part of our comprehensive Gibson Gear Guide series, providing a tonal comparison and delving into the unique specifications of each guitar.
You’ll enjoy five classic models—the 1933 L-00, 1942 Banner J-45, 1942 Banner Southern Jumbo, 1960 Hummingbird, and 1957 SJ-200. With thermally-aged tonewood tops and lightly aged hardware, these beautifully simulate decades of light play-wear, giving them the unique character, vibe, and feel of vintage originals.
There’s also an interview with Tom Murphy—Gibson Custom’s Master Artisan and the man who pioneered Gibson Custom’s proprietary aging techniques, which have been applied to these fine instruments. From the expertly crafted guitars to the unique aging techniques, this guide will leave you with a deep appreciation for the Murphy Lab Light Aging treatment that provides the played-in feel and look of a vintage guitar with softened edges throughout.
In the interview portion of the video, Tom lifts the lid on the Murphy Lab aging process, hints at the unique tools used, and explains how Gibson Custom’s exclusive Murphy Lab nitrocellulose lacquer and finishing process enhance the tone of your acoustic guitar. Tom also provides some insight into how everything from hand placement, how you play chords, and even your belt buckle dictate how your guitar is distressed—and it’s these subtle details that are used to make Murphy Lab instruments the most realistic aged guitars on the market.
What is the Gibson Murphy Lab Acoustic series?
If you’ve ever wondered whether or not vintage or Custom Shop guitars are best for you, Murphy Lab offers the best of both worlds. You get the playability, feel, and sound of an authentic vintage guitar, with the reliability of a modern instrument, hand-aged by the Murphy Lab team to ensure your guitar looks and feels like a much-loved instrument with plenty of stories left to tell.
Tom Murphy, the Master Artisan and namesake of the Murphy Lab, was central to the creation of the Gibson Custom Shop and personally developed the process of aging guitars. For 25 years, he has been replicating the vibe and character of vintage instruments on the canvas of newly-created guitars.
With a deep knowledge of authentic instruments, passion for his work, and visionary creativity, Tom has developed the tools and techniques to age guitars with more accuracy and attention to detail than ever before.
You may also enjoy our Gibson Gear Guide to Murphy Lab-aged Les Pauls. Watch it now.
