Gibson Launches "Murphy Lab"

[Crotch]

Murphy Labia

 

[jenton70]

Murphy Labia

 

[RAG7890]

................front for a Lab.

 

[BDW60]

Frankly, I think we are in the new golden age of guitars. I couldn’t be happier with my recent Historics. On every level, from playability to tone, they are exceptional and equal to any Les Paul I’ve picked up, vintage or otherwise.

Which leads us to Murphy Labs. I guess the devil is in the details, particularly price. Because frankly, the only area where I see room for improvements is with the custombuckers. Having a variety of magnet choices, wind types and outputs ala Fender would be better imho than the mode generic A3 mid output Custombucker that Gibson puts in almost every Historic Les Paul.

It would be cool to be able to spec your stock pickups. The A3 custombuckers are good but I can see how they wouldn’t automatically appeal to every buyer.

 

[DanD]

It would be cool to be able to spec your stock pickups. The A3 custombuckers are good but I can see how they wouldn’t automatically appeal to every buyer.

My 2017 M2M Braz CR7 came from Gibson with custom wound Throbacks, RS Superpots, and Russian military spec PIO caps.

It can be done...

 

[RocketKing]

The same 'most historically accurate guitar Gibson has ever done' has been trotted out without fail for at least the last 15 years.


I thought that was the job of the custom shop already.

My thoughts exactly

 

[Utmost]

Oh man I hope it didn’t launch on the Boeing Starliner.

 

[RAG7890]

.........meanwhile, back at the Lab.

 

[strat1701]

When was Gibson ever marketed towards the average young guitar buyer? I was 24 before I was able to buy my first Les Paul standard. It certainly wasn't my first guitar, and it wasn't until I started my career that I bought it.

That to me is the issue. People always want to rag on Gibson, but then post things in the discussion that don't make any sense as it pertains to the subject.

The map price on a Gibson Les Paul studio is 1499 right now. That's $300 less than I paid for my Les Paul standard back in 1996.......almost 25 years ago. Combine that with the fact that we all know that nobody really pays map, and there you have it. How much less is a fender? Some people would argue that the fender is more guitar, but that doesn't matter. When you want to Gibson you want a Gibson, and most young kids wanting to Gibson don't give a shit about period correct specs. If you are going to argue points, at least make sure you are in the right arena.

I remember my first 'real' Gibson. Got it in 1991, Studio w/ ebony board. $495 plus case, $636.10 for the whole lot. To a kid in high school that was a lot of coin, but it was my first real Gibson and it was 3x cheaper than the standards then. There were no CS guitars then. Ah the pre-historic days....Believe me, I wanted the Standard, but no way could I float 1600+ on a guitar. Hell I had that studio on lay-away for like 3 months!

These guitars are LUXURY items meant for people with decent levels of DISPOSABLE INCOME. Spending 5-10k+ on a guitar is NOT a necessity.....for ANYONE. I have never worn a watch....I don't like jewelry in general or the feel of something around my wrist/finger. Who the f#ck NEEDS a watch? We carry our phones around 24/7, clocks everywhere you look, yet people spend 5, 10, 20k and up on high end watches. It's a luxury item. I just had a guy buy a $50,000 new Ford Mustang. We live in Michigan. He will drive it 4-5 months out of the year. THIS, on a lower level than the aforementioned things, is what these guitars are, and always have been.

Why do we need a watch? Cuz when the power goes out, or your phone is discharged you can still be on time!

I get what you're saying though, but still find it easier to glance at your wrist than wrestle your phone out of your pocket, etc. Just me I suppose. All of my watches are manual. I hate the quartz ones. Yeah supposedly better time keeping with quartz but it's just silly some places will have you pay 2K (or more) for a watch which has a battery which needs to be replaced ever 2-3yrs or so. Yes you have the 'service' for the manual ones, but those only need it every 6-7 yrs. Two of mine are near 5yrs and still are keeping time very well. I don't play guitar with my watch on though, that's a comfort thing, same as wearing any ring on my hands.

 

[NoRythm_LP]

5 types of Labia...

 

[RAG7890]

The new Murphy Lab Retail Outlet.

 

[cmjohnson]

I'm sure Gibson is making some fine guitars once again and I look forward to putting a few fingerprints on a few at some store that carries them.,

But to me, the only aging that I respect is the aging that comes from time and usage. I have always disagreed with new instruments being relic'ed to look old, and I always will.

To me it's just fakery. Not a fan of that. But to each his own.

 

[jamhandy]

I still want someone to tell me...

...typically we judge "vintage" instruments by the quality of finish, etc. So, in 30 or so years, how do we tell if a "relic" guitar is still "mint" and holds it's value as a "vintage" collector piece? Do we take digital photos of it as soon as it arrives, and later hope that they will still use digital photos in 30 years? Or do we document a "relic" with digital photos we print out at Walmart detailing every scratch, smudge, and finish blem put there from the factory on purpose?

I think what we are going to find out in 30 years is that since there is absolutely no way to prove a beat up, thrashed and "relic" guitar is anything but a beat up thrashed guitar... your extra money paid will depreciate the second you cross the threshold of the music store, paying new price for one... Plus, in 30 years, if they judge "vintage" instrument by finish quality, it will be valued as a beat up thrashed guitar...

It seems like doctors and lawyers trying yo buy a guitar and play the wanna be role as if they actually put all those miles on an instrument. Could maybe call them "liar's guitars."

That's my take on this whole stupid trend, anyways.

I think what the marketing gurus at these companies have figured out that people have more money than brains...

...typically, IMHO, these same doctors and lawyers would get more bang for their buck spending the extra cash on some good lessons, maybe even some lessons teaching you how to tune the guitar... because paying extra for a beat up and thrashed guitar doesn't give you anymore talent... just a way to brag to strangers on the Internet...

My 2 cents...

I'd like to see the day when they start selling "relic" Ferraris and Porsches. marketing text might go like... "When you sit in the seat it feels like 100 people have planted their ass and farted in that same seat... it has a "comfy" groove to it, with the numbers partly worn off of the smooth feeling shifter, and the clutch, accelerator and brake pedals with that "worn in" feel as rubber has been worn off on a professional Al Unser Jr. Indy 500 Car rubber pedal PLEK machine... or you can opt to have the "#3 Intimidator NASCAR" brake/accelerator and clutch pedal package installed at no extra charge... ...as you look out the partially shattered windshield that simulates a car well broken in...

 

[Slashperryburst]

I'd like to see the day when they start selling "relic" Ferraris and Porsches. marketing text might go like... "When you sit in the seat it feels like 100 people have planted their ass and farted in that same seat... it has a "comfy" groove to it, with the numbers partly worn off of the smooth feeling shifter, and the clutch, accelerator and brake pedals with that "worn in" feel as rubber has been worn off on a professional Al Unser Jr. Indy 500 Car rubber pedal PLEK machine... or you can opt to have the "#3 Intimidator NASCAR" brake/accelerator and clutch pedal package installed at no extra charge... ...as you look out the partially shattered windshield that simulates a car well broken in...

This got a chuckle out of me, but Ferrari and Porsche aren't gonna be using no NASCAR driver for their marketing. Likewise, NASCAR brake and clutch packages would likely be a downgrade. Ferrari and Porsche have bested them in the acceleration front as well

If you had talked about formula one, the pedant in me would have stayed silent.

 

[PierM]

I still want someone to tell me...

...typically we judge "vintage" instruments by the quality of finish, etc. So, in 30 or so years, how do we tell if a "relic" guitar is still "mint" and holds it's value as a "vintage" collector piece? Do we take digital photos of it as soon as it arrives, and later hope that they will still use digital photos in 30 years? Or do we document a "relic" with digital photos we print out at Walmart detailing every scratch, smudge, and finish blem put there from the factory on purpose?

I think what we are going to find out in 30 years is that since there is absolutely no way to prove a beat up, thrashed and "relic" guitar is anything but a beat up thrashed guitar... your extra money paid will depreciate the second you cross the threshold of the music store, paying new price for one... Plus, in 30 years, if they judge "vintage" instrument by finish quality, it will be valued as a beat up thrashed guitar...

It seems like doctors and lawyers trying yo buy a guitar and play the wanna be role as if they actually put all those miles on an instrument. Could maybe call them "liar's guitars."

That's my take on this whole stupid trend, anyways.

I think what the marketing gurus at these companies have figured out that people have more money than brains...

...typically, IMHO, these same doctors and lawyers would get more bang for their buck spending the extra cash on some good lessons, maybe even some lessons teaching you how to tune the guitar... because paying extra for a beat up and thrashed guitar doesn't give you anymore talent... just a way to brag to strangers on the Internet...

My 2 cents...

I'd like to see the day when they start selling "relic" Ferraris and Porsches. marketing text might go like... "When you sit in the seat it feels like 100 people have planted their ass and farted in that same seat... it has a "comfy" groove to it, with the numbers partly worn off of the smooth feeling shifter, and the clutch, accelerator and brake pedals with that "worn in" feel as rubber has been worn off on a professional Al Unser Jr. Indy 500 Car rubber pedal PLEK machine... or you can opt to have the "#3 Intimidator NASCAR" brake/accelerator and clutch pedal package installed at no extra charge... ...as you look out the partially shattered windshield that simulates a car well broken in...

What a pile of crap.

Just buy what u want dude,

 

[mfolet]

Typically we judge an instrument vintage or not by how much it excites and inspire you which allows you to comfortably create and express music,

 

[mudface]

I still want someone to tell me...

...typically we judge "vintage" instruments by the quality of finish, etc. So, in 30 or so years, how do we tell if a "relic" guitar is still "mint" and holds it's value as a "vintage" collector piece? Do we take digital photos of it as soon as it arrives, and later hope that they will still use digital photos in 30 years? Or do we document a "relic" with digital photos we print out at Walmart detailing every scratch, smudge, and finish blem put there from the factory on purpose?

I think what we are going to find out in 30 years is that since there is absolutely no way to prove a beat up, thrashed and "relic" guitar is anything but a beat up thrashed guitar... your extra money paid will depreciate the second you cross the threshold of the music store, paying new price for one... Plus, in 30 years, if they judge "vintage" instrument by finish quality, it will be valued as a beat up thrashed guitar...

It seems like doctors and lawyers trying yo buy a guitar and play the wanna be role as if they actually put all those miles on an instrument. Could maybe call them "liar's guitars."

That's my take on this whole stupid trend, anyways.

I think what the marketing gurus at these companies have figured out that people have more money than brains...

...typically, IMHO, these same doctors and lawyers would get more bang for their buck spending the extra cash on some good lessons, maybe even some lessons teaching you how to tune the guitar... because paying extra for a beat up and thrashed guitar doesn't give you anymore talent... just a way to brag to strangers on the Internet...

My 2 cents...

I'd like to see the day when they start selling "relic" Ferraris and Porsches. marketing text might go like... "When you sit in the seat it feels like 100 people have planted their ass and farted in that same seat... it has a "comfy" groove to it, with the numbers partly worn off of the smooth feeling shifter, and the clutch, accelerator and brake pedals with that "worn in" feel as rubber has been worn off on a professional Al Unser Jr. Indy 500 Car rubber pedal PLEK machine... or you can opt to have the "#3 Intimidator NASCAR" brake/accelerator and clutch pedal package installed at no extra charge... ...as you look out the partially shattered windshield that simulates a car well broken in...

Some things looked good aged,... fake or real,.... thing is, that real ageing is caused by damage and wear,.... where as fake ageing is sort of applied art.......(yeah you could argue that too).....

I'll take your automotive example......... there has been Hot Rod building for years..... take an old '32 Ford or a shoebox Chevy.... you can throw a shit load of money into these and make them a brand new shiny 800 horsepower machine,... or as the trend has been, (which really isn't a trend, been doing it since these cars were created).. make them look rusted and beat with FAKE rust and FAKE damage,..... (because real rust and damage would cause the car to fall apart),.... Rat Rods are pretty damn sweet.............a Ferrari or Porsche Rat Rod would be cool,.... either way there is a lot of money involved.

I'm on the fence with the ageing thing..... I own a CC which is aged, but it is to replicate an existing old guitar..... To age just a regular Historic for the sake of aging..... that is really up to the individual who wants that kind of thing. There wouldn't be a market for it if no one wanted one.

To each their own amigo.

 

[PierM]

All these judgmental boys are funny to read tho....

If you apply their method to plain logic, means you shouldn't buy a Les Paul at all, since they are all "fake", and a replication of the original Burst. The entire Les Paul market, it's based on that. You should not buy an Historic, for the same exact reason. They are fake burst. You should not chase the historically correct dogma, with Gibson that every single year does change some detail to keep you in the loop...Man, whatever accuracy, it will never be a real Burst. What are you doing, are you cheating? LOL. You should not even buy an old used Les Paul, since isn't you that caused that beautiful mojo, but the previous owners...etc etc etc..

Really really funny guys.

Wish I were a dentist btw.

 

[jenton70]

I still want someone to tell me...

...typically we judge "vintage" instruments by the quality of finish, etc. So, in 30 or so years, how do we tell if a "relic" guitar is still "mint" and holds it's value as a "vintage" collector piece? Do we take digital photos of it as soon as it arrives, and later hope that they will still use digital photos in 30 years? Or do we document a "relic" with digital photos we print out at Walmart detailing every scratch, smudge, and finish blem put there from the factory on purpose?

I think what we are going to find out in 30 years is that since there is absolutely no way to prove a beat up, thrashed and "relic" guitar is anything but a beat up thrashed guitar... your extra money paid will depreciate the second you cross the threshold of the music store, paying new price for one... Plus, in 30 years, if they judge "vintage" instrument by finish quality, it will be valued as a beat up thrashed guitar...

It seems like doctors and lawyers trying yo buy a guitar and play the wanna be role as if they actually put all those miles on an instrument. Could maybe call them "liar's guitars."

That's my take on this whole stupid trend, anyways.

I think what the marketing gurus at these companies have figured out that people have more money than brains...

...typically, IMHO, these same doctors and lawyers would get more bang for their buck spending the extra cash on some good lessons, maybe even some lessons teaching you how to tune the guitar... because paying extra for a beat up and thrashed guitar doesn't give you anymore talent... just a way to brag to strangers on the Internet...

My 2 cents...

I'd like to see the day when they start selling "relic" Ferraris and Porsches. marketing text might go like... "When you sit in the seat it feels like 100 people have planted their ass and farted in that same seat... it has a "comfy" groove to it, with the numbers partly worn off of the smooth feeling shifter, and the clutch, accelerator and brake pedals with that "worn in" feel as rubber has been worn off on a professional Al Unser Jr. Indy 500 Car rubber pedal PLEK machine... or you can opt to have the "#3 Intimidator NASCAR" brake/accelerator and clutch pedal package installed at no extra charge... ...as you look out the partially shattered windshield that simulates a car well broken in...

We get it. Some people don't like aging. Some do.

The fact is guitar music has been gurgling its last breaths for years. Middle aged guys are about what's left of the enthusiast base. There was a time where every neighborhood had kids jamming in the garage/basement. Guitars were everywhere and were being used, gigged, leaned up against amps, used as ashtrays, etc. They got beat up fast. And many were sold second hand and used by recording and touring artists and got more worn in. Clapton always said he liked buying the strats with worn out maple boards because he could tell they were "well-favoured". And they would have been like 15-20 years old when he bought them. How beat up are 20 year old guitars now? Hard-coat poly finishes, sitting in cases, played in bedrooms. Not very beat up in most cases. Money is a factor. If you bought a used strat for 50.00 and a bag of weed in the 70's it wasn't a crazy investment. But if you pay 2k for one now you'll probably take good care of it.

That brings me to some people liking aged guitars. They're appealing but there aren't many naturally aged guitars out there for anything close to reasonable money. How about a 50's Tele for 20k or a burst for 200k? I bet the aging is real, though. So manufacturers and companies like HM figured out people would pay a premium to have the look and feel of an old guitar. Because some of them like that. Why do you care? I mean I hate big watches. Which is great because that is 9k saved. I don't go and knock them on watch enthusiast forums.

 

[BDW60]

This whole “stolen valor” argument anti-relic people lean on is incredibly stupid. There is only one place this applies, and we all know what that is about.

There is no inherent honor in a guitar. There is no honor in playing it until it’s beat up. There is nothing wrong with liking relics, or preferring to keep guitars as pristine as possible.

FFS they are just wood and wires that entertain us.