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Oh boy ..... I have heard there are problems with the Murphy labs.

amorrow

Active member
Joined
Oct 24, 2005
Messages
217
Yea I haven’t played a non-ML 2021, but others have said theirs feel the same as prior year Historics. And I can say that the lacquer on my two MLs feels completely different than my older historics from 2020 (VOS), 2019 (gloss) and prior. Checking aside, the ML finish feels significantly harder and I can clearly feel the difference just running my fingernail over it.
 

6L6

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 30, 2002
Messages
1,978
This is my gut feeling as I have no evidence but I think Gibson Custom is using the same Nitro on both the Murphy Labs as regular Gibson Custom . I have a hard time believing there are 2 different types of formula for the clear coat Nitro ? As far as the area goes I also believe this is where the contact happens between the interior lining of the case and the bottom end of the instrument which then makes contact with the lining and the mahogany .
“The guitars themselves are basically just Historic reissues”, he reveals, “so every guitar in our Murphy Lab collection is the same as our regular ’59 Standard, with hide-glue neck and body joints. The only thing that’s going to differ is the lacquer and level of ageing."
- Mat Koehler
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
“The guitars themselves are basically just Historic reissues”, he reveals, “so every guitar in our Murphy Lab collection is the same as our regular ’59 Standard, with hide-glue neck and body joints. The only thing that’s going to differ is the lacquer and level of ageing."
- Mat Koehler
"Proprietary lacquer formula " that is open for discussion ? Anyone care to elaborate as to what that means ?
 

amorrow

Active member
Joined
Oct 24, 2005
Messages
217
I have absolutely no idea what that means. I just know the lacquer on both of my MLs feels different than all Historics I’ve owned and played prior.
 

JPP-1

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 11, 2006
Messages
1,336
There's definitely something going on, that for Gibson is unique to the Murphy Lab line. For anyone who's played a new Murphy Lab, the finish is undoubtedly different and I haven't seen this on any non-ML. I can vouch that the problem appears to be only the cherry finish, and the flaking is most prevalent on the sides in areas near the strap pins. Both my 54 and 59 heavy aged arrived without noticeable flaking, but my 59 has begun to flake whereas the 54 with lighter back doesn't show a bit of it.

Here's the 59. LOVE this M2M with some Page #1 specs including the neck profile with the nicest feel and perfectly rolled binding, and I don’t want any sanding/refinish to change it. So I'm reluctant to send it in for repair, and will maybe do it only if the flaking/lifting worsens. You can see how the checking appears consistent with freezer method aside from the actual lifting that's visible near the strap pin and jack plate....similar areas to others shown. If you can't see the difference between the "defective" areas and intentional checking, I don't know what to tell you.

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I love your ML. Finish issues or not, lmk if you every get tired of that sweet thing.
 

Wise Guy

Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2021
Messages
62
"There's definitely something going on, that for Gibson is unique to the Murphy Lab line. For anyone who's played a new Murphy Lab, the finish is undoubtedly different and I haven't seen this on any non-ML. I can vouch that the problem appears to be only the cherry finish, and the flaking is most prevalent on the sides in areas near the strap pins. Both my 54 and 59 heavy aged arrived without noticeable flaking, but my 59 has begun to flake whereas the 54 with lighter back doesn't show a bit of it.

Here's the 59. LOVE this M2M with some Page #1 specs including the neck profile with the nicest feel and perfectly rolled binding, and I don’t want any sanding/refinish to change it. So I'm reluctant to send it in for repair, and will maybe do it only if the flaking/lifting worsens. You can see how the checking appears consistent with freezer method aside from the actual lifting that's visible near the strap pin and jack plate....similar areas to others shown. If you can't see the difference between the "defective" areas and intentional checking.."

Your last photo looks like the high E string is actually resting on the frets. Is it or no?
 

J.D.

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2006
Messages
10,030
Gibson has used a different nitro formula on the Murphys in the past and very likely is now as well.
 

Dr. Green

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2018
Messages
683
sure do wish I had me one of those new fangled geetars by Murphy laboratory


" they did not listen ,,,,they are not listening still ..... perhaps they never will " ......
 
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Wise Guy

Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2021
Messages
62
sure do wish I had me one of those new fangled geetars by Murphy laboratory


" they did not listen ,,,,they are not listening still ..... perhaps they never will " ......
I've played a few and even tossed around the idea of trading in a few guitars towards a ML guitar but ended deciding it wasn't really worth it in the end. Not now anyway. I'm having a hard time separating from my Standard USA line.
 

ajay taylor

Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2015
Messages
188
I don't know about ML. They take a perfect Ebony Three HB Custom Reissue, and "light" age it by taking a nickel and tapping around the picking area. I don't know how those dents could happen in actual even professional play on the top. But, man was that a nice Gibson before they dinged it up. Only $8700 by the time they attacked it.
 

charliechitlins

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2021
Messages
1,018
All opinions about relic-ing aside... it's an experimental process.
If we're going to insist on having guitars that have been aged prematurely, materials and techniques used may not be conducive to the ling haul.
There is an amazing passage in Zorba the Greek where he finds a butterfly struggling to get free of its cocoon.
He holds it in his hand very gently, blows on it softly to warm it until it spreads its wings and is ready to fly.
It's an achingly beautiful passage.
But what happens is, the butterfly's wings shrivel and it cannot fly.
He realizes that he has rushed nature.
Some things need to happen naturally, and attempts to intervene and rush the process can be disastrous.
I used to have this passage printed out when I was a school teacher.
I would pass it out to the parents of my students.
You can always make a mistake, but it seems like the mistakes we make by sliwing down are seldom as bad as the ones we make when we rush.
 

S. Weiger

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 25, 2002
Messages
1,744
All opinions about relic-ing aside... it's an experimental process.
If we're going to insist on having guitars that have been aged prematurely, materials and techniques used may not be conducive to the ling haul.
There is an amazing passage in Zorba the Greek where he finds a butterfly struggling to get free of its cocoon.
He holds it in his hand very gently, blows on it softly to warm it until it spreads its wings and is ready to fly.
It's an achingly beautiful passage.
But what happens is, the butterfly's wings shrivel and it cannot fly.
He realizes that he has rushed nature.
Some things need to happen naturally, and attempts to intervene and rush the process can be disastrous.
I used to have this passage printed out when I was a school teacher.
I would pass it out to the parents of my students.
You can always make a mistake, but it seems like the mistakes we make by sliwing down are seldom as bad as the ones we make when we rush.
I often wish there was a way to un-age human bodies.. a reverse Murphy treatment for old farts like myself..
 

bursty

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Messages
544
I often wish there was a way to un-age human bodies.. a reverse Murphy treatment for old farts like myself..
yes, I agree.
I recently arrived at 63 orbits around that giant flaming ball of gas 93 million miles away, stuck on this spinning rock and the arthritis in my left hand, fingers and wrist is certainly taking a toll on my guitar playing. :(

Luckily for my I can still smoke cigars without too many issues. :D
 
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