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Is this part of Murphy aging or store hangar wear?

ptubb

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Oct 5, 2024
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So I recently purchased a 1958 Reissue Ultra Light Murphy Aged Les Paul. Wonderful instrument. I was so in my head buying the thing that I didn't notice some headstock blemishes until I got home. I did get a good deal on the guitar as it had been in the store for quite a while and all sales are final so I'm not really into going back there. Just wondering if these blemishes are part of the aging process or actual damage. Any insight would help, thanks.
 

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ptubb

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Oct 5, 2024
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Yeah, it isn't really a big deal, but enough to bug me a bit. I'm not a fan of any heavier aging, chips out of the paint I don't fancy. This is supposed to be aged, not smashed around. I could have paid $15K for that.
 

Hiwatts-n-Gibsons

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Yeah, it isn't really a big deal, but enough to bug me a bit. I'm not a fan of any heavier aging, chips out of the paint I don't fancy. This is supposed to be aged, not smashed around. I could have paid $15K for that.
I'm still a believer in buying nice and shiny new, or used and worn at a discount. Paying extra for aging is a pill I have a hard time swallowing.
 

ptubb

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Oct 5, 2024
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I hear you, I've always done the same. I did pay a premium (not thousands like you can in some cases) for aging but really it is nice, just enough to give it an extra comfy feel and look.
 

CS Murphy 'R9

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I'm still a believer in buying nice and shiny new, or used and worn at a discount. Paying extra for aging is a pill I have a hard time swallowing.
I completely agree with you about Paying more for aging. I got my ML heavy aged for the same cost a VOS would have been new.
My ML is a late 2023(October to be exact) and was reduced priced due to being a leftover from the dealer I got it from. Otherwise I would not own it. I am 100% happy with the job ML did on the aging.
Looks very natural just like the ones I see in "Beauty of the burst" or "Burst believers"
 

Hiwatts-n-Gibsons

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I completely agree with you about Paying more for aging. I got my ML heavy aged for the same cost a VOS would have been new.
My ML is a late 2023(October to be exact) and was reduced priced due to being a leftover from the dealer I got it from. Otherwise I would not own it. I am 100% happy with the job ML did on the aging.
Looks very natural just like the ones I see in "Beauty of the burst" or "Burst believers"
Soooo, is there a thread with pics? 😁
 

CS Murphy 'R9

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That top is bad ass. She's a looker for sure. ❤️‍🔥
Thank you, I got lucky in that this ML was local at a dealer I had done business with in the past. I traded my 2016 R9 and some cash for the ML
If it was a straight cash purchase I would not have been able to get it. This ML is a new leftover and I got it for considerably less than the 9K they go for normally.
I am it's first owner but with these they feel played in out of the box.
 

CS Murphy 'R9

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So I recently purchased a 1958 Reissue Ultra Light Murphy Aged Les Paul. Wonderful instrument. I was so in my head buying the thing that I didn't notice some headstock blemishes until I got home. I did get a good deal on the guitar as it had been in the store for quite a while and all sales are final so I'm not really into going back there. Just wondering if these blemishes are part of the aging process or actual damage. Any insight would help, thanks.
Those marks/blemishes are not by Murphy lab on a ultra light aged. The ONLY thing you should notice is finish checking and some very slight hardware aging.
There would be no marks,chips or blemishes like in the pics of the headstock you posted. those were caused by something else?
 

CS Murphy 'R9

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Jan 2, 2023
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Only one chip on my 2023 R8 but Sam Ash sold mine as “used”.

View attachment 27577
Yeah that chip is post Murphy Lab and probably happened at the music store. The Ultra light aging option is just finish checking and some hardware aging, It is for those that want to still have a new looking LP but have the checking and put the wear and tear,chips,bangs,dents,etc on themselves. Problem is most ML owners do not even take them out of the house.
 

LPR6

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Feb 5, 2019
Messages
149
Yeah that chip is post Murphy Lab and probably happened at the music store. The Ultra light aging option is just finish checking and some hardware aging, It is for those that want to still have a new looking LP but have the checking and put the wear and tear,chips,bangs,dents,etc on themselves. Problem is most ML owners do not even take them out of the house.
I got mine for a good price as Sam Ash was just about to announce they were closing. Was interested in Murphy Lab but had never played one. Wanted an R8 and this was priced below a gloss R8 so I took a chance on it. I do play it out at rehearsal/jams but haven’t gigged in years.
 

CS Murphy 'R9

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I got mine for a good price as Sam Ash was just about to announce they were closing. Was interested in Murphy Lab but had never played one. Wanted an R8 and this was priced below a gloss R8 so I took a chance on it. I do play it out at rehearsal/jams but haven’t gigged in years.
I think you made a wise choice. 👍 The ML's are just not the same as the VOS or gloss ones to me. The necks feel nice and played in and I prefer the nitro on the ML's. I have zero regrets about trading my 2016 R9 and adding some cash to get my ML.
 

Blind Lemon Chicken

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Sep 16, 2024
Messages
115
IMG_2109.jpegIMG_2113.jpegAgreed the guitars speak for themselves , none of the heavy aged I have sport hanger wear ..IMG_2126.jpegIMG_2124.jpegEven amongst the different levels of ageing there are inconsistencies in each guitar..
 
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Ed A

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Jul 16, 2001
Messages
4,699
I have had two Murphy lab ultralight aged and both of them did have some minor edge wear and chips. And they were both new. So maybe in some cases the Murphy lab does do some very slight aging. But I have also put my own chips in very easily the nitro is so thin and hard, that can happen. Which I happen to like the look of. The headstock wear maybe that did just happen from it hanging in the store as I said they can wear very easily… I don’t think you’ll ever find any original 1959 that’s even been under the bed that only has checking and not, a blemish somewhere. As far as I’m concerned, if you’re gonna get a checked Murphy, don’t worry about some minor wear, that makes it all the better!
 
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