• 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!

Tom Murphy aging question

Guitardon

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 3, 2002
Messages
2,134
Hello everyone, I rarely buy aged guitars and I am curious to know if Tom Murphy aging is still considered desirable. I know there's a lot of new people out there aging guitars. And I just made a deal for a 2016 Murphy aged TH. Years ago Murphy aging was all the rave but I know times of changed. So in your opinion does Murphy aging still add to the value of the guitar, or are people turned off by his techniques and more impressed by the new guys out there. It is a lightly aged guitar which is my preference, I don't like overly done aging, it doesn't matter at this point since I've bought the guitar. But I just want the forums opinion on Murphy aging. Does it add to the value of the guitar. Thank you and have a glass of wine on me for your answers, of course I'm not gonna pay for it ha ha :salude







o
 

buckaroo

Formerly Tweedguy
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Messages
938
IMO, concerning a recent Gibson Les Paul reissue, a "Murphy aged" will hold more resale value than a "aged but NOT by Murphy" for a future buyer. In part because Murphy is so well known and also because he is the Gibson endorsed aging person right now.. Some new Les Pauls can be purchased with in house aging, not by Murphy, but will likely command less than an authentic Murphy with documentation. This is just my opinion.

I like the stock (non aged) True Historic finishes the best. Nothing against Murphy, but the finish on the TH is so delicate that it gets "aged by you" after a few gigs....just sayin'.

Buck
 

Pip

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 26, 2011
Messages
1,570
For me yes - recognised as Gibsons farther of ageing, with fewer and fewer examples. Got TM in the ageing even better.
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
to me beauty is in the eye of the beholder.one man's junk is another man's treasure,after all taste is subjective
 

calieng

New member
Joined
May 16, 2016
Messages
8
I have a 2015 TH '59 Murphy. The aging is very realistic and the guitar feels just like a vintage instrument that is old but no abused. It was a $1500 upcharge from the price I paid for other non-aged TH '59s. Worth every penny to me.

gjjigjif.jpg
 

Guitardon

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 3, 2002
Messages
2,134
I have a 2015 TH '59 Murphy. The aging is very realistic and the guitar feels just like a vintage instrument that is old but no abused. It was a $1500 upcharge from the price I paid for other non-aged TH '59s. Worth every penny to me.

View attachment 4263


Your comments hit the core of the matter. I just got my Murph and I agree with everything you said. I feel like I am borrowing someones real 1959. The aging is perfect unlike some overdone that that I have seen in the past. Just right and real looking From the players perspective when you look down you are looking at an authentically aged guitar that looks and plays like one. I took a hit on one of my favorites a 2014 R9 but it is worth the cost. TH's are magical instruments, they feel and look so real.
 

Tommy Tourbus

Active member
Joined
Jan 1, 2005
Messages
871
I am curious to know if Tom Murphy aging is still considered desirable. Years ago Murphy aging was all the rave but I know times of changed.

I don't know how other people feel, but I happen to think he looks pretty good for a guy his age
 

AA00475Bassman

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2016
Messages
3,769
Never played one , from what I've seen on line they look Tip Top i would not see how you could go wrong they really have the vibe and I'm sure they are a joy to play !
 
  • Like
Reactions: ADP

gmann

Well-known member
Joined
May 26, 2003
Messages
6,147
People attach a value to Murphy aging, how much is subjectve. All things being equal, and they seldom are, I wouldn't pay extra for it but that's just me. I like his aging but I like the stuff HM does juat as much.
 

Guitardon

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 3, 2002
Messages
2,134
Never played one , from what I've seen on line they look Tip Top i would not see how you could go wrong they really have the vibe and I'm sure they are a joy to play !

I have to say, I've only owned one Murphy many years ago and I forgot how cool they are. Regardless of what others think, I think they're worth the additional value, and the fact that the book states that it's a true historic and Murphy aged substantiates it is a Gibson authorize guitar. Some people might not add any value to that but original Gipson stock guitars is always more fun than sending them to somebody else to tear everything out and give you a Frankenstein of a guitar even though it might look and play and sound better, it's still ain't a Gibson anymore. After receiving the guitar and playing it all day today I've answered my own question. I think the guitar is extremely enhanced by being a Murphy, and the aging on it is perfect, just what I would've ordered from the factory if I had My say. Thank you KC Vintage Guitars for a fun simple easy transaction. My trade value was respectable and you've been a pleasure to deal with.
 

AA00475Bassman

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2016
Messages
3,769
So glad to here like your guitar and i think your correct about any other aging job . If i was selling i would rather have a murphy on the market than the out of factory guitars . IMO i really don't think the others measure up !
 

Marcel M

New member
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Messages
555
The short answer is that sending a guitar to be aged after you buy it will decrease the value. A murphy aged guitar is stock. So it will be more valuable than sending it to someone later. This is always the case with basically everything. Stock is more valuable.
 

Pip

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 26, 2011
Messages
1,570
Here is a heavy aged Murphy, to me and imop lovely - roled neck etc.
Firstly the mans signature :
IMG_3237_zpsbcba211b.jpg

Now the ageing:
IMG_2014_zps5a300ee9.jpg

Love it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CK6

sws1

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2001
Messages
2,846
For some reason, I love aging on GTs, but I'm not a fan on sunbursts. If I were to do a makeover, I'd want subtle aging, but not much (or at all) finish cracking. Just make it look dirty, but not like it's been left out in the cold.
 

Guitardon

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 3, 2002
Messages
2,134
Here is a heavy aged Murphy, to me and imop lovely - roled neck etc.
Firstly the mans signature :
IMG_3237_zpsbcba211b.jpg

Now the ageing:
IMG_2014_zps5a300ee9.jpg

Love it.
Very cool, I forgot to check for the Murphys signature and yes mine has it. Pretty sneaky the way he does that but I love it maybe I'll post some pictures later
 

Guitardon

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 3, 2002
Messages
2,134
Here is a fair representation of my Murphy. It is hard to see the checking but it is there just not as aged as others. Just the way I like it. I know the flame pattern is not what everyone likes but it is a Murphy and it is good enough for me.

normal_image3.jpeg
 

jalevinemd

Member
Joined
May 7, 2007
Messages
916
As for which will hold it's value better...I agree with Buckaroo's statement. Tom Murphy's name will "always" command a premium price. But this whole aging thing, is like anything else in life. Tom Murphy was a pioneer, but over the years plenty have acquired and perfected the skill as well. I was at Chicago Music Exchange recently and saw several of the Gibson In House aged guitars - a '58 in particular. The aging was every bit as good as any Tom Murphy I'd seen. And I'm not sure who did one of the two Ace Frehley's they had but the relic job was phenomenal. If it was a Murphy, clearly he hasn't lost his touch. If it was an In House job, they clearly have done their homework. :salude
 

Stoj

Active member
Joined
Oct 6, 2006
Messages
3,514
Here is a fair representation of my Murphy. It is hard to see the checking but it is there just not as aged as others. Just the way I like it. I know the flame pattern is not what everyone likes but it is a Murphy and it is good enough for me.

normal_image3.jpeg

That's a beauty - Nice Score :salude
 
Top