Tom Murphy aging question

[Pip]

Whilst on the subject of Tom - he can also paint a burst.

 

[Guitardon]

Your guitar has made me recant ( this will be my last guitar do i really need more ) The search for a heavy aged Murphy is on !

Sorry to have given you GAS but if find one Murphy won't let you down. I'm extremely happy with mine and since I got a slightly used on a trade deal I didn't have to put out that much cash or I couldn't afford it is. I think the going price is about 8000. Good luck with your search

 

[Guitardon]

S

Whilst on the subject of Tom - he can also paint a burst.

That one is a beauty and yes he can paint. :dude:

 

[Guitardon]

Whilst on the subject of Tom - he can also paint a burst.

What a beauty and yes he can paint :salude

 

[Group87]

I really must be out there. Doesn't one want a new guitar to look new? I just got my 2018 R9 in Dec. and it looks great. right out out of the box. No scratches, dings, worn out marks. chips, cracks. etc. I love polishing it and having it look slick and clean. Am I off base.........What's the appeal? I know all of this is subjective. This is by no means a put down or criticism. Just an inquiry

 

[surfreak]

I speak from the perspective of owning a 2015 TH LP and a 2009 Korina Flying V, both aged by Tom Murphy and certified in their Gibson booklet.

I love both guitars and, also because of the ageing job, I play them more spontaneously, if that makes sense, as I am not concerned about the occasional ding on an instrument that costs several $ 000s.

Does the TM ageing add a premium to the guitar? Yes, they are more desirable and the resale value is higher because of TM's affiliation with Gibson.

Is TM the best at this game? In my opinion, no.

TM's technique is based on using a razor blade to simulate lacquer checking, so the ageing pattern looks "more or less" realistic.

There are others who simulate lacquer checking by essentially forcing on it the same agents that cause real checking, ie changes in temperature and humidity, and the patterns you get in my opinion look much more realistic.

 

[El Gringo]

I think Tom Murphy does it the best as far as the faux ageing goes . I don't like subjecting an instrument to temperature and humidity differences for the sake of finish checks as I feel that is not really good for the wood to be subjected to extreme temperature differences . Tom Murphy is a wonderful artist and his work speaks for it self and is very highly regarded .

 

[AA00475Bassman]

(I am not concerned about the occasional ding on an instrument that costs several $ 000s)

If you use a guitar valued at 4000.00, you ding it 40 times the guitar is worth nothing ?

 

[59shredandburn]

I say play the hell out of your guitar and don't make it a case queen....who cares about a ding here and there all the great players we love have dings on their guitars :laugh2:

 

[AA00475Bassman]

I play all my Historic guitars none are kept in cases , I bought these to play !!

 

[Musicman]

I've always wondered is a TM aged guitar worth more or less if you've banged it up even more from playing it? :hmm

 

[59shredandburn]

I play all my Historic guitars none are kept in cases , I bought these to play !!

Absolutely dude ! If the axe feel and sounds great that's all that matters....cosmetics should be a far second or third IMO !

 

[JPP-1]

You're not off base for you. That's your aesthetic choice. Some people like red guitars others like blue. There's no right answer.

That said, a guitar that is played will show some wear over time. It's almost inevitable unless it's a bedroom case queen. Frankly, I'd rather buy a used guitar with some wear than one that is "perfect" I always laugh at these ads where the seller says, "I just bought this guitar and took it out of its case for a few minutes to strum some notes and then I put it right back" Well imho if the guitar was any good the seller wouldn't have been so quick to return it to its case then sell it.

Murphy's pre-aged guitars take the angst out of getting those first few dings. In some ways it's a get of jail free card for wear. Is it real wear or Murphy wear. What i find strange is folks who love this contrived wear but will turn there nose up at a guitar that has real wear.

I really must be out there. Doesn't one want a new guitar to look new? I just got my 2018 R9 in Dec. and it looks great. right out out of the box. No scratches, dings, worn out marks. chips, cracks. etc. I love polishing it and having it look slick and clean. Am I off base.........What's the appeal? I know all of this is subjective. This is by no means a put down or criticism. Just an inquiry

 

[Patek]

I really must be out there. Doesn't one want a new guitar to look new? I just got my 2018 R9 in Dec. and it looks great. right out out of the box. No scratches, dings, worn out marks. chips, cracks. etc. I love polishing it and having it look slick and clean. Am I off base.........What's the appeal? I know all of this is subjective. This is by no means a put down or criticism. Just an inquiry

Because if you look at 90% of original 1959 bursts, they have a great deal of patina. It is to replicate that original look of a worn in (or beaten up) 1958-1960 burst. It’s a simple case of each to their own

 

[Patek]

I think Tom Murphy does it the best as far as the faux ageing goes . I don't like subjecting an instrument to temperature and humidity differences for the sake of finish checks as I feel that is not really good for the wood to be subjected to extreme temperature .

That is how all the original bursts achieved their patina / checking (some more some less). It will not affect the end result or change the wood

 

[Red Tuxedo]

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

Yep, bringing up an old thread because I was looking into a Tom Murphy aged guitar I got, but this comment catered to my dad joke sense of humor and I had to reply... loved it.

But to add to the thread, now that there is The Murphy Lab, and TM is doing less of the work himself, and these aged guitars still sell for even more $$$, I think a genuine Tom Murphy aged guitar will only keep going up in value. It's a matter of supply and demand. The demand keeps going up, and the supply of TM aged guitars by the master's hands will become finite.

Hopefully the added picture will quell any resentment to this resurrected thread.

 

[MacDaddy1958]

I have one of the last Murphy aged and Painted by TM
WW 60th anniversary 8.09lbs

 

[gmann]

I have one of the last Murphy aged and finished by TM
WW 60th anniversary

Damn nice!

 

[Torshalla]

I have one of the last Murphy aged and finished by TM
WW 60th anniversary

Man that s a real beauty!

 

[ADP]

Tom Murphy is THE man! I love my Murphy Aged Clapton, always in tune, sounds explosive, immense resonance, 8lbs even, it is just a perfect specimen. One of the best guitars I've ever played. Usually the Tom Murphy guitars I've picked up have a certain special magic to them. I believe they will always be highly regarded and highly desirable.