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Wildwood VOS vs Murphy Lab

Docholiday11x

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Joined
Nov 12, 2022
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5
Torn between a Wildwood Les Paul 59 VOS or a Ultra Light Murphy lab.

They’re the same price. Curious what everyone’s thoughts are on this forum.

This is my first post here so hoping it’s in the right place.
 

CAGinLA

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Jan 4, 2016
Messages
489
I've never played a Wildwood Spec'd LP (not sure what are getting there beyond custom-wound Custombuckers), but I own a Murphy Lab R8 and it's easily the best Custom Shop LP I have ever owned.

Every LP is different, though, and a ML isn't guaranteed to always be better than other Custom Shop models. Without playing both yourself, it's a crapshoot.
 

Tim Plains

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Aug 1, 2013
Messages
795
Any pictures of the two guitars?

Personally, I wouldn't buy a ML unless I was positive they fixed the nitro issue.
 
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Any Name You Wish

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Apr 15, 2021
Messages
493
The VOS looks like a guitar played by a person that liked greasy food and never cleaned anything, but looks great once cleaned up. The Murphy light finish checking is nice but there are some folks that say it does not look like real vintage checking. Lacquer hardens and shrinks into the grain over time and speeding that process up to achieve checking may not get that rippled wood grain look that actual vintage has. My ES 335, at 17 years old, is starting to have that gorgeous natural aged look. The original gloss Vintage Sunburst has turned into Tobacco since the red has faded out, and the plastics have aged along with the finish. It is the way.

I would go VOS and clean the gunk off.
 

CAGinLA

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Jan 4, 2016
Messages
489
Any pictures of the two guitars?

Personally, I wouldn't buy a ML unless I was positive they fixed the nitro issue.

Gibson Historic collectors: "damnit, get rid of all these plasticizers in the nitro and make it like it was in the 1950s!"

Tom Murphy: "OK, done"

Gibson Historic collectors: "damnit, put the plasticizers back in the nitro and make it like it was in the 2010s!"

:p
 
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programmer

Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2021
Messages
36
The ML lacquer looks spot on to me, but it is more brittle. Dings can cause greater damage. On the other hand, other than look it also feels better and may have some small affect on acoustic resonance (brighter).
 
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Docholiday11x

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Joined
Nov 12, 2022
Messages
5
Posted a couple that I’m looking at. Not sure if I attached the photos correctly.

The darker one is the ML and the other is a VOS from CME.

I’ve heard the paint issue has been resolved but there’s not a ton of info out there. Figured I’d be hearing about it more of it wasn’t fixed. Plus Gibson is taking back guitars with the issue. Wouldn’t make financial sense to continue to sell models that you know you’ll have to take back

I can get them for roughly the same price after discounts and the fact that some smaller out of state stores don’t charge sales tax.
 

E.M.

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Aug 6, 2016
Messages
141
I would call Wildwood and have them explain the differences. I have a ML and it’s great, and I’ve also had Wildwood Specs and they’re awesome too. As far as nitro, no issues with my ‘22 ML.
 

Toby Boy

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Mar 26, 2022
Messages
25
On looks alone, the lighter burst.
But holy smokes, that's a lot of money.
 

CAGinLA

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Jan 4, 2016
Messages
489
I would call Wildwood and have them explain the differences. I have a ML and it’s great, and I’ve also had Wildwood Specs and they’re awesome too. As far as nitro, no issues with my ‘22 ML.
No issues with my '20 ML R8 either - it's one of the early MLs as well.
 

Tim Plains

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Aug 1, 2013
Messages
795
The nitro issue was a while ago
It was allegedly only cherry finish Les Pauls, I've seen a Pelham SG where it flaked off, Gibson denied any wrong doing and blamed the owners, I'm not convinced.
 
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