• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Murphy Lab vs Tom Murphy Painted Aged Value?

LuteGuy

Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2004
Messages
35
Any thoughts or actual indications as to how the value of Tom Murphy painted and aged guitars will be effected by the Murphy Lab products? Example: Is a used 2018 Wildwood Spec Murphy painted and aged LP likely to sell for more than a new 2021 Murphy Lab assuming both guitars spec out similarly otherwise?
I ask because I'm thinking of making a purchase based on the (misguided?) assumption that the answer is, "Yes!". It goes without saying that either guitar could be subjectively a better instrument playing and sound-wise. Thanks for your thoughts and/or evidence!
 

axeman565758

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
1,204
I think it will be a supply and demand thing. A limited number throughout the years of Murphy painted/painted-aged v. 10 gazillion Murphy Labs, which he did not personally paint.
And as always, top, color, weight and neck profile will play (perhaps more prominently) a big role. But with all things equal, I'd say anything painted by him would be more desirable.
However, buying any guitar, other than vintage, for its future value increase is nuts. Buy a guitar you love playing. One that feels and sounds great to you.
 

LuteGuy

Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2004
Messages
35
Thanks for your input. May I ask why you think buying any non-vintage guitar as an investment is "nuts"? I purchased an '03 braz R9 new that I liked as an instrument, but also because I gambled that the braz-ness of it might make it a good investment, as well. After becoming somewhat disappointed with the neck feel, I sold it some years later for double the purchase price. Perhaps, the Murphy I'm considering with turn out to be a keeper, but if not, I much prefer it be worth more rather than less further on up the road, as it were. As you pointed out..."a supply and demand thing". That said, I agree that having a guitar one loves playing is the primary goal! That's priceless...
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
Thanks for your input. May I ask why you think buying any non-vintage guitar as an investment is "nuts"? I purchased an '03 braz R9 new that I liked as an instrument, but also because I gambled that the braz-ness of it might make it a good investment, as well. After becoming somewhat disappointed with the neck feel, I sold it some years later for double the purchase price. Perhaps, the Murphy I'm considering with turn out to be a keeper, but if not, I much prefer it be worth more rather than less further on up the road, as it were. As you pointed out..."a supply and demand thing". That said, I agree that having a guitar one loves playing is the primary goal! That's priceless...
I think you made out because it had the Brazilian board
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
I think it will be a supply and demand thing. A limited number throughout the years of Murphy painted/painted-aged v. 10 gazillion Murphy Labs, which he did not personally paint.
And as always, top, color, weight and neck profile will play (perhaps more prominently) a big role. But with all things equal, I'd say anything painted by him would be more desirable.
However, buying any guitar, other than vintage, for its future value increase is nuts. Buy a guitar you love playing. One that feels and sounds great to you.
I agree as the previous versions were actually worked on by Master Murphy , where the Lab series is team done by the team instructed by Tom Murphy .
 

Tim Plains

Active member
Joined
Aug 1, 2013
Messages
795
I purchased an '03 braz R9 new that I liked as an instrument, but also because I gambled that the braz-ness of it might make it a good investment, as well.
Gambled was the key word there.

MLs are no better financial investments than previous in-house aged guitars.
 

LuteGuy

Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2004
Messages
35
To clarify: My question was regarding the potential increase in value of guitars painted and aged by Tom Murphy, the man, not the Murphy Lab guitars.
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
To clarify: My question was regarding the potential increase in value of guitars painted and aged by Tom Murphy, the man, not the Murphy Lab guitars.
Certainly they surely will increase as they are older and all hand work done by Master Tom Murphy . Versus the new Murphy Labs which are done by a team under Tom Murphy supervision .
 

TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
I couldn't care less except my Murphy Lab is an amazing guitar and most likely I'll never sell it. It is on pare to Vintage ones I've played and owned.
 

CJA

New member
Joined
Nov 1, 2021
Messages
9
There's been rumours spread by a renowned German vintage and CS retailer that the Murphy Painted option isn't available anymore. Just backorders to be ramped up in selected stores by 2022/23. I believe certified Murphy Painted guitars will maintain their value, while, unlike standard Murphy Labs, not available ubiquitously. Here's my revered 2013 Murphy Burst, woods handselect by Wilson/Murphy.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20221220_223157_Kleinanzeigen.jpg
    Screenshot_20221220_223157_Kleinanzeigen.jpg
    909.9 KB · Views: 7

corpse

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
I think they are putting out quite a few of the Murphy labs- almost in the order of CS volumes. These are different vs Murphy limited editions. Note- no mention of better.
 
Top