Gibson Murphy Lab Relics

[DrewJD82]

That Trem Bar and Tip doesn't match, though.

So I dug out those other whammy bars last night and found one does indeed fit, just has to be screwed in at a specific angle. I figured I'd give the coffee trick a try. I used a fret eraser to rub off the gloss off the trem bar tip then soaked it in some coffee overnight.

It works! And now I have a regular size bar on it.

 

[la szum]

So I dug out those other whammy bars last night and found one does indeed fit, just has to be screwed in at a specific angle. I figured I'd give the coffee trick a try. I used a fret eraser to rub off the gloss off the trem bar tip then soaked it in some coffee overnight.

View attachment 2610

It works! And now I have a regular size bar on it.

Nice!! Never heard of the "Soak it in the coffee the ghost living here spilled," method of tinting.

 

[Steinmetzify]

I friggin LOVE relics as long as they’re done right. MJT does that stuff correct; I have a Telemaster they did and love it.

Looks tastefully beat up.

My main gig guitar for about 9 years was a custom LP a friend built for me. In and out of vans and what not and the finish cracked and looks fake as fuck. I need to get it redone as a bourbon burst or something whenever I find the time….

 

[itchyfingers]

The original Murphy relics were astonishingly good. When Gibson introduced the Murphy Lab, a bunch of less skilled luthiers tried to emulate his work and most were/are sub-par. Then prices on everything went thru the roof. My favorite part about the Murphy Labs was when customers complained that the finish was "too relic'd" and started flaking off the guitars. It's like, isn't that what you paid 8 grand for??? :lol:

 

[Eagle]

A relic finish needs to start with an unpainted body.

The original Murphy relics were astonishingly good. When Gibson introduced the Murphy Lab, a bunch of less skilled luthiers tried to emulate his work and most were/are sub-par. Then prices on everything went thru the roof. My favorite part about the Murphy Labs was when customers complained that the finish was "too relic'd" and started flaking off the guitars. It's like, isn't that what you paid 8 grand for??? :lol:

This is just wrong, The NEW ones are the most accurate that Gibson have every built.

 

[Eagle]

A relic finish needs to start with an unpainted body.

This is thin sealer and a grain filler. It also needs to copy the original method so damage looks correct.

The finish needs to be slightly sunken and thin.

 

[Eagle]

Minimal wet sanding because you will be through this very easily.

Imperfect is the aim . You could easily just keep putting clear on this and flat it perfectly.

 

[Eagle]

Add the checking and your starting to get there.

 

[Eagle]

Then a carful bit of damage and rubthroughs.

Always work from pictures of real vintage. It also often only looks right at the end.

 

[itchyfingers]

A relic finish needs to start with an unpainted body.

This is just wrong, The NEW ones are the most accurate that Gibson have every built.

Accurate? Don't you mean authentic, as in Play Authentic?

Point stands, Gibson's Murphy Lab luthiers are not even close to having Tom Murphy's skills, just more marketing hype and another reason to gouge customers. I own a few Gibsons and they are great guitars, but they didn't get a penny from me. I'm definitely not paying 8 grand for this shit, "accurate" or not.

 

[Eagle]

You need to show the guitar fully with the certificate. And by accurate, (which is what I mean) same process and materials as were used originally. That guitar is damaged after the fact. I see Murphy Lab guitar all the time and they are Gibsons finest new guitars. At least as good as older ones painted only by Tom.

 

[itchyfingers]

Look man, you have your experience, I have mine, and hundreds of owners of Murphy Lab guitars have theirs. I'm sure most of those owners are pleased as punch with their guitars, but was pretty well documented that owners of early Murphy Labs were pissed off and complained to Gibson about the lack of durability on the Ultra Light Aged finishes - 50 page TGP threads, MyLesPaul threads, YT vids - I'm surprised you missed such a hot topic. It got so noisy that Gibson made a statement defending themselves, and in the process, accused the owners of "improper acclimation". Stay classy.

"Customers aren't accustomed to the behaviour of vintage lacquer": Gibson's Mat Koehler responds to reports of Murphy Lab issues

The company's Senior Director of Product Development also responds to reports of Murphy Lab lacquer issues.

guitar.com

 

[Eagle]

Look man, you have your experience, I have mine, and hundreds of owners of Murphy Lab guitars have theirs. I'm sure most of those owners are pleased as punch with their guitars, but was pretty well documented that owners of early Murphy Labs were pissed off and complained to Gibson about the lack of durability on the Ultra Light Aged finishes - 50 page TGP threads, MyLesPaul threads, YT vids - I'm surprised you missed such a hot topic. It got so noisy that Gibson made a statement defending themselves, and in the process, accused the owners of "improper acclimation". Stay classy.

"Customers aren't accustomed to the behaviour of vintage lacquer": Gibson's Mat Koehler responds to reports of Murphy Lab issues

The company's Senior Director of Product Development also responds to reports of Murphy Lab lacquer issues.

guitar.com

Yes people complaining that accurate 50’s lacquer was behaving just like 50s lacquer.

 

[andergtr]

as with anything, i think it depends on the individual guitar, BUT every murphy lab i have played has been a great instrument, which i would expect at that price range.

 

[paisleywookiee]

A relic finish needs to start with an unpainted body.

This is just wrong, The NEW ones are the most accurate that Gibson have every built.

Is that why almost everything CME had from the Murphy Lab looks fake and cheesy?

 

[Eagle]

Is that why almost everything CME had from the Murphy Lab looks fake and cheesy?

They are the best guitars Gibson makes. If you don’t like them obviously that’s fine .

 

[Fireproof]

I love my Murphy aged Les Paul R0. Feels like an old friend. \

 

[paisleywookiee]

They are the best guitars Gibson makes. If you don’t like them obviously that’s fine .

It’s adorable how you state subjective things as facts.

 

[Eagle]

It’s adorable how you state subjective things as facts.

It’s literally my job. It’s also funny when people think facts are subjective.

 

[Eagle]

Here is a 59 I had in recently;

I get to play everything , thousands of pieces played, repaired, disassembled, authenticated.