NGD: 2007 Yamano Murphy R9

[Ron W]

Well, it's been quite a journey as well as an education the last couple of months. However, before I go any further, I must thank my dear wife who gave me this awesome R9 for Christmas! I've named it Maedell in her honor, which is her and my oldest daughter's middle name. Her first name, Cynthia, was already taken by my 55 Strat Relic

Started having R9 urges again after lurking/browsing here extensively. My first decent guitar was a late 70's LP Standard Tobacco burst I bought when I was 18. I promptly sold it because I just had to have a Telecaster. Anyway, I joined MLP in November and began researching R9's in earnest. MLP and its members/vendors have been absolutely invaluable to me. Many thanks to Curt at HOG, Brett at Eddie's, Alex at CME, Bijan at Rumble Seat, Jim at Route 66 and Mark at MGL and especially Ray Mauldin at Grinning Elk...all of these guys took the time to educate me and help me navigate the nuances of the R9.

After several calls over the last few weeks, I finally was able to convince Ray at the Elk to sell me this '07 Yamano Murphy R9 in a splendid Iced Tea burst. The top and the fretboard on this one are just gorgeous. The hard rock maple top looks so vintage and "right" to me; subtle flame, nice grain and just the right amount of mineral streaking and flecking. The rosewood board on this is really beautiful with the contrasting "skunk stripe"; it's just sick!

Let me conclude by saying that dealing with Ray at Grinning Elk (Grinning Elk | Vintage Guitars & Vintage Amplifiers) was one of the most pleasant purchase experiences I've ever had...period. I'm proud to be a member of the Elk Nation. THANKS RAY!!!

Here are just a few of the excellent photos Ray took:

You can see all of them on the Grinning Elk site here:

2007*Gibson Hist. Division*Les Paul R9, Yamano, Murphy Aged : Vintage Rare Collectible Guitar Sales from the Grinning Elk Music Company

I have a few pics of my own, which I'll get around to posting in a bit...

 

[CRobbins]

Congrats.

 

[Mike60]

What a TOP!..

congrats...

 

[RUFFCUT]

......

 

[PDM1968]

Gorgeous!!!

 

[Fiftywattmafia]

Outstanding!!!!!!

 

[Ron W]

Thanks for all the nice comments so far. Here are a few pics I took. The Iced Tea burst on it is just beautiful in the natural sunlight The cavity is so clean, I can't bear to think of any mods at this point. Oh, and this one sustains for days... I played it unplugged for quite awhile before I got around to plugging it in! The BB's, caps and pots all sound incredible on this one. Need to measure the pups to see how hot/cold they really are. Assumed I would swap pups, but I think not...

 

[paintguy]

Real vintage vibe. Beauty! Congrats!

 

[7gtop]

vintage rock*top

 

[buckwild]

fantastic looking Murphy R9, congrats on that one.

 

[LPCollector]

Awesome vibe happening with that top!!!

Congrats on your new guitar and a great wife.

How gracious of you to compliment all of the forum vendors.....classy!

ENJOY!!!

 

[Top Gun]

Very nice!

 

[RAG7890]

I have owned quite a few of these. Nice Guitars.

HNGD.

 

[Ron W]

Here are a few more of Ray's wonderful pics that show the aging on the top. Tom Murphy took his time on this one; the aging is very realistic. Nothing that goes though the finish; looks like a well cared for '59 Burst with some lovely patina. Love the boxtop; so glad the original owner had the sense to save it!

 

[rockinlespaul]

Congrats! Yamano's are killer guitars. I miss mine. Best Les Paul I ever owned.

 

[oli]

Awesome !!! Congrats !

 

[Red Baron]

Very unique and beautiful top on that one, hope it plays as good as it looks, congrats!

 

[tspoon5150]

What a great Christmas gift.

A very nice one indeed.

Congrats.