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Gibson Murphy Lab Acoustics
Classic aged look now also for acoustic guitars
The name Gibson has always stood for high-quality electric and acoustic guitars. The electric guitars produced in collaboration with the aging workshop Murphy Lab impress with tastefully aged finishes and hardware and have already delighted many guitarists with their very special, well-played-in vintage sound. Now acoustic players also get the chance to experience the unique tone of an aged Gibson: the Gibson Custom Shop is presenting the Murphy Lab Acoustic Collection for the first time. Five classic Gibson models that look and sound as if they come from a long-gone era. These instruments are not only a tribute to the priceless originals – they are, in essence, clones of them. From laser-measured and -cut body dimensions to plastics chemically reproduced down to the smallest detail, to colour-matched sunburst shades, every element of the originals has been recreated with incredible fidelity. They are the result of decades of work by the Custom Shop expert team.
Discover the Gibson Murphy Lab acoustic guitars in detail
What does Murphy Lab actually mean?
For 25 years Tom Murphy has reproduced the vibe and character of vintage guitars. In collaboration with the master luthier, Gibson has scientifically analysed and chemically recreated the original brittle, crack-prone Gibson finish from the 1950s/60s that caused checking beneath the topcoat. Every Murphy Lab-aged creation follows its own path through the Custom Shop and receives the Murphy Lab nitrocellulose lacquer, which is applied by hand. Each Murphy Lab craftsman has been trained by Tom Murphy to be an ageing specialist.
The instruments built in the Murphy Lab department are ultra-accurate reproductions of iconic Gibson models that perfectly imitate the played-in feel of Gibson guitars from the Golden Era. This process is now also being applied to acoustic guitars; there are Murphy Lab Acoustic models in Light Aged and Heavy Aged variants. You can find the first results here:
All Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab acoustics at a glance:
The different models of the Gibson Murphy Lab Acoustic Collection
To kick things off, Gibson is bringing several well-known and popular acoustic models in the style of bygone days to market with the Murphy Lab Acoustic Collection. We have picked out the three most interesting ones for you and examined them closely. Here we introduce the individual instruments:
Gibson Murphy Lab Acoustic Light-Aged models
This is about the look and the feel of a guitar that has been loved and played. If you play your instrument often, it’s a simple truth that your guitar will eventually show signs of wear. Even players who treat their guitars very carefully can experience the odd fall from a stand, other people’s hands or even a mysteriously appearing ding taking their toll. Each of those marks gives the guitar character. And that’s what you get with the Light Aged level from the Gibson Custom Shop: a well-cared-for instrument that has been played and loved.
1942 Banner J-45 Light Aged
The charm and legend of the Gibson J-45 live on in the new Murphy Lab 1942 Banner J-45 Light Aged. Inspired by the holy grail of vintage acoustic instruments, Gibson’s builders in Montana have crafted a J-45 that matches the most popular and famous version in design and components down to the smallest detail. The new 1942-style Banner J-45 features a thermally aged top of American red spruce (Adirondack spruce), hand-applied historic-style sunburst, top bracing joined with hide glue for improved tonal response, and a high-quality bone nut.
The 1942 Banner J-45 is delivered in a historically correct black leather case with purple lining, including a certificate of authenticity.
1957 SJ-200 Light Aged
The Gibson SJ-200 with its Super Jumbo body is also known as the "King of the Flat Tops." It unmistakably conveys the vintage feeling of the era that produced some of the most valuable Gibson acoustic instruments. This new Custom Shop 1957 SJ-200 Murphy Lab Light Aged combines special details, including hand-selected flamed maple back and sides, a bone nut, and a vintage Gibson-style headstock. In addition, the SJ-200 features aged white bindings, a vintage 2-ring rosette, and a thermally aged top for the perfect vintage vibe. Mother-of-pearl Graduated Crown inlays put the crown, so to speak, on the design. Of course, the characteristic ornately decorated pickguard is also present.
The 1957 SJ-200 is delivered in a historically correct brown hardshell case with pink lining and a certificate of authenticity.
1960 Hummingbird Light Aged
The Hummingbird was introduced in 1960 as Gibson’s first square-shoulder dreadnought acoustic. It arrived at the start of a new era in music and was quickly discovered and played by the scene’s most important musicians. The Gibson Murphy Lab 1960 Hummingbird Light Aged is constructed with a thermally aged Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. These details reflect the look and performance of this early Gibson icon. The used look is emphasised by the Light Aged nitrocellulose lacquer finish, which shows fine checking like a genuine vintage guitar.
The 1960 Hummingbird is delivered in a historically correct black hardshell case with yellow lining and a certificate of authenticity.
Gibson Murphy Lab Acoustic Heavy Aged models
The most extreme of all Gibson ageing levels, Heavy Aged, summons the spirit of the most well-worn and battle-scarred Gibson instruments in history. If you want a guitar that looks like it hasn’t left your side since the dawn of rock 'n' roll, this is the finish for you.
1942 Banner J-45 Heavy Aged
The charm and legend of the Gibson J-45 live on in the new Murphy Lab 1942 Banner J-45 Heavy Aged. Inspired by the holy grail of vintage acoustic instruments, Gibson’s builders in Montana have crafted a J-45 that matches the most popular and famous version in design and components down to the smallest detail. The new 1942-style Banner J-45 features a thermally aged top of American red spruce (Adirondack spruce), hand-applied historic-style sunburst, top bracing joined with hide glue for improved tonal response, and a high-quality bone nut.
The 1942 Banner J-45 is delivered in a historically correct leather case and includes a certificate of authenticity.
1963 Country Western Heavy Aged
The Country Western was first introduced in 1962 in a square-shoulder body shape and was originally a variant of the popular Gibson Southern Jumbo model. With the body shape of a Hummingbird but in a natural finish and with a plain tortoise pickguard instead of the cast, graphically highlighted pickguard of the Hummingbird, the Gibson 1963 Country Western Heavy Aged offers wonderful tonal quality and a unique appearance that has been a smashing success with guitarists from the very first moment to this day.
The 1963 Country Western is delivered in a historically correct hardshell case and includes a certificate of authenticity.
1960 Hummingbird Heavy Aged
The Hummingbird was introduced in 1960 as Gibson’s first square-shoulder dreadnought acoustic. It arrived at the start of a new era in music and was quickly discovered and played by the scene’s most important musicians. The Gibson Murphy Lab 1960 Hummingbird Heavy Aged is constructed with a thermally aged Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. These details reflect the look and performance of this early Gibson icon. The used look is emphasised by the Heavy Aged nitrocellulose lacquer finish, which shows fine checking like a genuine vintage guitar.
The 1960 Hummingbird is delivered in a historically correct hardshell case and includes a certificate of authenticity.
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