Hey it's Mat from Gibson Product Development - AMA

[djcmusician]

i have a couple CME spec guitars and usually they are very up front and put CME before the S/N. mine both have CME 12345 serials

which is a turn off IMHO

 

[MattD1960]

which is a turn off IMHO

Funny enough the serial number accuracy has never been an issue for me. I have two R8s with the extra digit, two CMEs

 

[p19978]

Patience my friend. We have had an Explorer 50s in our back pocket -- but to give you a peek behind the curtain, we rely on forecasting and if it does poorly there we reserve it as a dealer exclusive possibility. That said it is being pitched as such. The fact is that slim necks outsell fat necks by a mile...and we are at the mercy of forecasting to add new core models to the portfolio while trying to limit total SKU count.

Any idea of a time frame on these fat necked, dealer exclusive models?

 

[modavis99]

My first post on this forum, but long time lurker.

Just wanted to compliment Mat for being here and to compliment the leadership at Gibson for making such great guitars.

I did purchase a Braz Murphy from the latest run and it’s the finest LP I’ve ever owned. The aging is so great. Mostly the guitar just rings out. It seems special attention was given to this run.

I have tons of questions about this run and Gibson in general but I’ll post those later since this is just a thank you post to Mat and the new leadership at Gibson. With pics

 

[djcmusician]

@matkoehler has the Historic LP truss rod cover changed for late 2023? Mine looks different than '22/early '23 versions. Less of a "step" from the black to the white. The white doesn't appear to be as wide as previous. Actually wondered if the dealer had changed the cover to a regular USA version. However, it is still a bit different than those.

2023 Murphy R9

https://imgur.com/QTlhIbL

Late 2022 Murphy R9

https://imgur.com/MNyudZv

 

[6L6]

Hi Mat, speaking of that run of Braz ML R9's, I noticed that the Custombuckers in these have Alnico 5 magnets. Since they have 2024 SNs, I was wondering if the plan was to use these new Alnico 5 Custombuckers in all the 2024 models, not just the limited run. OR, maybe sell these separately? Thanks for all the info!

 

[modavis99]

Hi Mat, speaking of that run of Braz ML R9's, I noticed that the Custombuckers in these have Alnico 5 magnets. Since they have 2024 SNs, I was wondering if the plan was to use these new Alnico 5 Custombuckers in all the 2024 models, not just the limited run. OR, maybe sell these separately? Thanks for all the info!

The new Alnico 5 pickups sound great IMO. (For the record I did not like the old custombuckers). That said they will squeal at higher gain (for example GnR) at band volumes. I guess this isn’t vintage accurate but I think this can be cured by just putting a dab of silicone between the top of the slugs and the pickup cover

 

[Old crow]

What is the first layer composed of. The first thing that goes on the bare wood.
sorry if it’s been addressed, but I plowed thru dozens of pages and couldn’t find it.
Lots of info about the new lacquer, but what’s under the paint. ?
im considering either a new ML 60 LP. or 61 SG.

 

[Old crow]

Info about nitro and plastisizer

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ie50186a005

 

[clapciadrix]

@matkoehler has the Historic LP truss rod cover changed for late 2023? Mine looks different than '22/early '23 versions. Less of a "step" from the black to the white. The white doesn't appear to be as wide as previous. Actually wondered if the dealer had changed the cover to a regular USA version. However, it is still a bit different than those.

2023 Murphy R9

https://imgur.com/QTlhIbL

Late 2022 Murphy R9

https://imgur.com/MNyudZv

I noticed the same thing.

 

[Dave P]

Mat, did Mazzucchelli change their inlay material? I was looking at a few new R9's today, and the material looked really weird. Almost like those fugly acrylic inlays.

 

[pentatonicwanker]

How much longer do we have to wait for the Les Paul Modern Studio?

 

[Chronomariner]

Hi Mat,
Is the neck binding on Murphy Lab Light Aged supposed to have these marks?
The guitar is a joy to play so I don't think I would ever want to part with it. They are at the same place on several of the frets

 

[Wizard1183]

Hi Mat,
Is the neck binding on Murphy Lab Light Aged supposed to have these marks?
The guitar is a joy to play so I don't think I would ever want to part with it. They are at the same place on several of the frets

Either lacquer checked at these spots or intentionally “scratched” to make wear marks. Who cares? Oops. You do lol

 

[Chronomariner]

Either lacquer checked at these spots or intentionally “scratched” to make wear marks. Who cares? Oops. You do lol

Well, I don’t care that much to be honest ?
But you are probably right.

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Hi Mat,
Is the neck binding on Murphy Lab Light Aged supposed to have these marks?
The guitar is a joy to play so I don't think I would ever want to part with it. They are at the same place on several of the frets

Looks like indents from filing the binding. Lacquer filled up thicker in the indent and then cracked beside the thick spot. Not the prettiest filing, but I guess time vs cost thing.

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Hi Mat: You should really check out the thread I posted below. Probably the busiest Gibson thread at the moment.

Gibson R9 Authentication

Hey all, I just joined the forum because of a purchase I made a few days ago. A 2016 R9 that was one of the best deals I’ve ever been apart of. It did not have the COA with it, so I emailed Gibson and they verified it was real over email. However, I’m having some doubts for some reason. First...

www.lespaulforum.com

 

[Stephens]

Hey Mat- thanks again for your contribution to the forum! I recently picked up an Epiphone 63 Bonamassa SG and it compares very well to my Custom Shop guitars. Quick question for you, has Epiphone switched up the formula on the Probucker pickups recently? I’ve played other Epi’s with Probuckers in the past and they were pretty good, but the ones in my new SG sound just awesome. They sound and respond like a great boutique pickup.

 

[jb_abides]

Hey Mat- thanks again for your contribution to the forum! I recently picked up an Epiphone 63 Bonamassa SG and it compares very well to my Custom Shop guitars. Quick question for you, has Epiphone switched up the formula on the Probucker pickups recently? I’ve played other Epi’s with Probuckers in the past and they were pretty good, but the ones in my new SG sound just awesome. They sound and respond like a great boutique pickup.

I don't know the evolution of the Alnico Classic PRO-buckers but the ones in my Noel Gallagher Riviera are quite well-suited.

 

[djcmusician]

curious @matkoehler ‘s thoughts on this ML ULA Dec’23 R7:

https://imgur.com/bMrQZfp

https://imgur.com/0Wr5G6A