Watch our Murphy Lab explainer to see and hear the differences
In the debut video on the new Gibson Gear Guide YouTube channel, our in-house gear expert Dinesh Lekhraj walks and plays through the different aging levels of the Gibson Murphy Lab, answering frequently asked questions from Gibson fans such as: “What does Murphy Lab mean?” “Do Murphy Lab guitars sound better?” and “What makes Murphy Lab guitars more expensive?”
Headed up by Master Artisan Tom Murphy, the Gibson Murphy Lab is nestled in the Nashville Custom Shop and is a place where Gibson guitars are put through an intense, yet loving, process of hand-aging and distressing. The end result simulates decades of playwear unique to each instrument—and no two guitars ever look or feel exactly the same.
Four Murphy Lab aging levels are available: Ultra Light, Light, Heavy, and Ultra Heavy Aged. In addition, the proprietary nitrocellulose lacquer formula used on Murphy Lab models enhances resonance and offers a vintage-style ownership experience that’s about as close as you can get to purchasing a Gibson from the Golden Era of the 1950s and 60s, only from a brand-new instrument.
Murphy Lab Aging Levels Explained
Ultra Light Aging: The Murphy Lab Ultra Light Aged finish treatment, paired with lightly aged hardware, simulates decades of very light play wear, giving it the unique character, vibe, and feel of an original example from the Gibson Golden Era. Expect a weather-checked finish with only the lightest aging touches on the instrument.
Light Aging: The Murphy Lab Light Aged finish treatment, paired with lightly aged hardware, simulates decades of natural play wear, giving it the unique character, vibe, and feel of an original example from the Gibson Golden Era. Expect a weather-checked finish with aging touches on the instrument.
Heavy Aging: The Murphy Lab Heavy Aged finish treatment, paired with heavily aged hardware, simulates decades of heavy play wear, giving it the unique character, vibe, and feel of an original example from the Gibson Golden Era. Expect a heavy weather-checked finish, heavy belt buckle wear, light arm wear, and light neck wear.
Ultra Heavy Aging: The Murphy Lab Ultra Heavy Aged finish treatment, paired with heavily aged hardware, simulates decades of heavy play wear, giving it the unique character, vibe, and feel of an original example from the Gibson Golden Era. Expect a very heavy weather-checked finish, heavy belt buckle wear, arm wear, and neck wear.
Vintage Look, Sound, and Feel
Murphy Lab guitars don’t just capture the look and tone of a vintage musical instrument—they feel vintage, too. It’s like taking a step back in time with an old guitar waiting to tell you its many stories from the road.
Imagine getting your hands on a 1959 Gibson Les Paul that looks, feels, and sounds like it’s been touring stadiums for years, complete with the battle scars of a long music career. Or, if light aging levels are more your speed, how about discovering a “case queen” that’s been lovingly hidden away, picking up just a little finish checking over time, slowly developing its unique character, and waiting for you to use it to write your own story?
Watch the video to see and hear these remarkable Murphy Lab instruments in action, and make sure you subscribe to the Gibson Gear Guide now for more great demos, buyer’s guides, and insightful artist content in the weeks and months to come. The Gibson Gear Guide: made by gearheads, for gearheads.
