Gibson Murphy Lab...

[yeatzee]

My friend recently got a Heavy Aged R0 from the Murphy Lab so I decided to shoot a primer / overview of the guitar, hear his thoughts vs his VOS R0 V1, and do some playing samples. If anyones curious about Murphy Lab this may be interesting to you

EDIT: Anyone else unable to watch the video on here? It works on other forums, but not on this one....

Anyways, you can watch the video by CLICKING HERE.

I also then kept the guitar for a week and shot a full blown honest review and comparison vs my 2018 M2M which I'll probably upload in about a week

Anyone here have a Murphy Lab yet? Your thoughts?

 

[C-4]

Good video gentlemen!
I am waiting on a ML '59 355 M2M UL in watermelon red.
My main reason for getting the ML was hopefully that they roll the fret board edges a bit, and the color.
The aging is nice, but I am neutral on that so long as it isn't too overdone.

My guitars bought new, even over 30 or so years look very new and clean even, but for the frets, as I play them constantly. My parents just taught me from the start to take good care of my gear, which I still do after 6 and 1/2 decades of playing.

 

[Dr. Green]

how do you think they made the finish in general so much harder ?
when I checked out the Murph labs at Guitar Center I was shocked at the difference in feel in the unchecked areas vs the normal historics - it was so much closer to vintage nitro guitars I have played in the past - rock hard and glass like vs tacky and sticky

 

[yeatzee]

Good video gentlemen!
I am waiting on a ML '59 355 M2M UL in watermelon red.
My main reason for getting the ML was hopefully that they roll the fret board edges a bit, and the color.
The aging is nice, but I am neutral on that so long as it isn't too overdone.

My guitars bought new, even over 30 or so years look very new and clean even, but for the frets, as I play them constantly. My parents just taught me from the start to take good care of my gear, which I still do after 6 and 1/2 decades of playing.

That's exciting! This Murphy did have the fretboard edges rolled a tad, but not a ton... at least not as much as I was hoping / expecting. That color will be stunning, please share photos when it arrives!

how do you think they made the finish in general so much harder ?
when I checked out the Murph labs at Guitar Center I was shocked at the difference in feel in the unchecked areas vs the normal historics - it was so much closer to vintage nitro guitars I have played in the past - rock hard and glass like vs tacky and sticky

I just think it's a new formula. Everyone that's touched the Murphy noticed the lacquer feel difference. I'm not sure it's necessarily more vintage feeling, we handled two early 60's jr's and a '64 345 side by side with it and I don't think anyone said they thought it felt more like those guitars, but it definitely felt different. I do understand what you're saying though, some nitro particularly from the early/mid 2k's can feel really sticky and plastic-y. I think the newer stuff is much better, the 2018+ historics I've played have all felt great.

 

[amorrow]

Good video gentlemen!
I am waiting on a ML '59 355 M2M UL in watermelon red.
My main reason for getting the ML was hopefully that they roll the fret board edges a bit, and the color.

Given yours is a M2M, you might want to reach out to the shop to see if they'll roll the binding more than typical. I agree that the standard MLs don't seem to have noticeably softer edges than other Historics (maybe bit less than THs but a bit more than my '59 60th), however I have a heavy aged M2M that has it rolled significantly more. To put in perspective, here's my "standard" 54, compared to my M2M 59 (Page #1 neck and binding really softened).

M2M 59

54

 

[latestarter]

Rolling the edges is a relatively easy mod a luthier could do to any neck. I use a standard scraper to get shape then finish off with 600-800-1000 grit and a polish.

Nice photos!

 

[yeatzee]

Given yours is a M2M, you might want to reach out to the shop to see if they'll roll the binding more than typical. I agree that the standard MLs don't seem to have noticeably softer edges than other Historics (maybe bit less than THs but a bit more than my '59 60th), however I have a heavy aged M2M that has it rolled significantly more. To put in perspective, here's my "standard" 54, compared to my M2M 59 (Page #1 neck and binding really softened).

M2M 59

54

Agreed.

Rolling the edges is a relatively easy mod a luthier could do to any neck. I use a standard scraper to get shape then finish off with 600-800-1000 grit and a polish.

Nice photos!

I would love to have that done on my M2M Goldtop! Dang I wonder if there's a luthier around me that can do that...

Anyways I'm still editing the Murphy review but here's a nice photo of the guitar! Quite the top

 

[MikeSlub]

Just got a Murphy Labs R9 today. Will play it tonight and give a tone report. Cool guitar overall. I do like the "Green Lemon Fade" color (have a few other Hysterics in this color).

As some members here know, I have quite a few (actually, too many) aged Les Pauls by Murphy, and even some Murphy painted guitars from previous years (he has the touch, and paints an awesome sunburst top when in the spray booth IMHO), and honestly these don't look or feel much different than his previous work. I'll post some other photos later. Same thing for the thin lacquer - feels like what Gibson Custom has been using the past several years. The new COAs are cool, and they are now supplying a nice little "pillow" to lay the headstock on in the case (cute touch). So a good marketing job! I do think they are over-doing it on the wear around the holly headstock - I've never seen Bursts, even well-played ones, with finish wear all the way around the headstock! And I do wish they would make even a feeble attempt at aging the plastic rings and pick guard. All that said (yes, I'm a Historic snob), I like the guitar.

Thanks to Steve S. at Wildwood Guitars for another great score!

 

[Dr. Green]

how is the tone .......... how is the tone ?
great choice on the green lemon fade ,,,,, that's the type I want too ,,,,,, it looks "killer "

 

[MikeSlub]

It has a wide, slightly flatter neck, not as much "V" as I normally like on '59 style Les Pauls, but it works for me. Plays very nicely. Neck pickup is big sounding, nice, deep, throaty sound but clear. Bridge pickup is plenty loud, but in the middle position the neck pickup rules even with all controls up all the way. A cool guitar. The checking is more "crackly" style, some up and down, some sideways, versus some of my other Murphys that were probably done with the razor. I like the deeper red/almost brown color on the back. Really nice dark board. A few photos (iPhone, no flash) which aren't very flattering. Guitar looks way better in person, very 3-D flame top.

 

[El Gringo]

Just got a Murphy Labs R9 today. Will play it tonight and give a tone report. Cool guitar overall. I do like the "Green Lemon Fade" color (have a few other Hysterics in this color).

As some members here know, I have quite a few (actually, too many) aged Les Pauls by Murphy, and even some Murphy painted guitars from previous years (he has the touch, and paints an awesome sunburst top when in the spray booth IMHO), and honestly these don't look or feel much different than his previous work. I'll post some other photos later. Same thing for the thin lacquer - feels like what Gibson Custom has been using the past several years. The new COAs are cool, and they are now supplying a nice little "pillow" to lay the headstock on in the case (cute touch). So a good marketing job! I do think they are over-doing it on the wear around the holly headstock - I've never seen Bursts, even well-played ones, with finish wear all the way around the headstock! And I do wish they would make even a feeble attempt at aging the plastic rings and pick guard. All that said (yes, I'm a Historic snob), I like the guitar.

Thanks to Steve S. at Wildwood Guitars for another great score!

View attachment 14661

Mega Congrats on a most fine Green Lemon Murphy Lab !

 

[C-4]

Thanks for the post Mike! Beautiful looking guitar. I hope you enjoy it.

 

[GastonG]

Just got a Murphy Labs R9 today. Will play it tonight and give a tone report. Cool guitar overall. I do like the "Green Lemon Fade" color (have a few other Hysterics in this color).

As some members here know, I have quite a few (actually, too many) aged Les Pauls by Murphy, and even some Murphy painted guitars from previous years (he has the touch, and paints an awesome sunburst top when in the spray booth IMHO), and honestly these don't look or feel much different than his previous work. I'll post some other photos later. Same thing for the thin lacquer - feels like what Gibson Custom has been using the past several years. The new COAs are cool, and they are now supplying a nice little "pillow" to lay the headstock on in the case (cute touch). So a good marketing job! I do think they are over-doing it on the wear around the holly headstock - I've never seen Bursts, even well-played ones, with finish wear all the way around the headstock! And I do wish they would make even a feeble attempt at aging the plastic rings and pick guard. All that said (yes, I'm a Historic snob), I like the guitar.

Thanks to Steve S. at Wildwood Guitars for another great score!

View attachment 14661

Great one Mike, is it one painted by Tom Murphy himself ?

 

[MikeSlub]

Great one Mike, is it one painted by Tom Murphy himself ?

Gaston, I don't think so. From what I've seen, they've put a significant uncharge on those.

 

[GastonG]

Gaston, I don't think so. From what I've seen, they've put a significant uncharge on those.

Thanks Mike, I asked, because on mine, the Green Lemon Fade sunburst top is more dark brownish than light greenish . Also the back on mine is more reddish than brownish.

 

[latestarter]

Agreed.

I would love to have that done on my M2M Goldtop! Dang I wonder if there's a luthier around me that can do that...

Anyways I'm still editing the Murphy review but here's a nice photo of the guitar! Quite the top

Love the colours and grain/flame! Not sure about the aging, but I never am...

 

[Dr. Green]

do you find that it is more resonate unplugged than your other non murphy lab Historic 's ???

I what do you think of the feel of the neck with the new finish and with the checking on the neck is it nice from top to bottom or is there any irritating ruff spots ?

 

[MikeSlub]

do you find that it is more resonate unplugged than your other non murphy lab Historic 's ???

I what do you think of the feel of the neck with the new finish and with the checking on the neck is it nice from top to bottom or is there any irritating ruff spots ?

I don't know who you were directing your questions to, but I'll share my thoughts:

. No, I don't find it more resonant than other non-Murphy Les Pauls or even other Murphys. And I've always been skeptical of those who correlate the resonance of a guitar unplugged with how it sounds when amplified, especially with a solid body guitar. I've played some guitars that sounds great unplugged and they are tone turds when amplified. The whole thing counts - the wood, the setup, the pickups, the pots, the amp, etc. for an electric guitar. The complete package (plus your hands and fingers) is what creates the sounds that make you smile or frown.

. The feel of the neck is good, not bothersome or rough where the finish is checked. I did comment that I'm not enamored with the "C" shape necks on the '59 Murphy Lab guitars - it feels flatter than on my vintage Bursts. I like the soft "V" shape better. But it's just personal opinion, and I can play both (poorly).

Hope this helps.

 

[El Gringo]

I don't know who you were directing your questions to, but I'll share my thoughts:

. No, I don't find it more resonant than other non-Murphy Les Pauls or even other Murphys. And I've always been skeptical of those who correlate the resonance of a guitar unplugged with how it sounds when amplified, especially with a solid body guitar. I've played some guitars that sounds great unplugged and they are tone turds when amplified. The whole thing counts - the wood, the setup, the pickups, the pots, the amp, etc. for an electric guitar. The complete package (plus your hands and fingers) is what creates the sounds that make you smile or frown.

. The feel of the neck is good, not bothersome or rough where the finish is checked. I did comment that I'm not enamored with the "C" shape necks on the '59 Murphy Lab guitars - it feels flatter than on my vintage Bursts. I like the soft "V" shape better. But it's just personal opinion, and I can play both (poorly).

Hope this helps.

Mike , you are very wise !

 

[MikeSlub]

Update: I retract my comment on the neck shape in my previous post. I pulled out a few of my vintage 59 Bursts today, and the Murphy Lab neck shape is very close to them. The checking on the Murphy Lab looks more realistic than the razor checking on previous Historics when compared to vintage Gibson . So they’ve done a pretty nice job on these guitars!