Should I Install These Pickups In My R9?

[Torren61]

I find the idea of a Murphy Lab as a collectible quite humorous. if I was collecting guitars in the
Hope of appreciation, I’d look for undervalued vintage guitars or very limited edition Historics

It’s your guitar, enjoy it. I swapped the pickups, pots and caps in several of my Historic Les Pauls with outstanding results. I wouldn’t hesitate to do the same to my Murphy Lab if I thought it would improve the tone.

I have no idea why someone would even care about pickup swaps in a current production guitar and afaic, anyone that anal about originality in a production guitar - it is just the tip of the iceberg. I personally wouldn’t want to sell to those types anyway. Life is too short.

Original electronics, undisturbed solder joints, etc. are important when considering a 5 or 6 figure vintage guitar because in addition to originality, it helps in verifying the authenticity of the guitar.

Also, I don’t see how a run of the mill Murphy Lab is any more collectible than a run of the mill R9. For me a Murphy Lab is less collectible because I’m not convinced by the aging (and I love aged guitars) whereas a regular R9 could age quite nicely over time.

Good luck whatever you decide.

I agree 100%..when I bought my Murphy labs I didn’t like the A3 mag pickups in either guitar so I swapped them out and couldn’t be happier. People have to be realistic and realize these guitars are not going to value like a real 50’s LP!

Okay look, despite some of my posts which present evidence to the contrary, I'm not stupid. I don't think my Murphy Lab R9 is going to attain '59 Les Paul status or value and I also realize you were using that example as a way to illustrate and emphasize a point. However, my "run of the mill" MLR9 has a bottom line value which exceeds the value of many other Les Pauls and I would prefer to not do something to reduce that bottom line value.

I bought the Gibson S2 pickups because they were/are a limited production of 1000 units... and because I could. One may argue that I fell victim to a marketing scam given that the Series 1 was also a limited run of 1000 and, at the time, were the closest reproduction of the original '59 PAFs ever produced. The Custom Buckers, '59 Classics and an entire parade of Gibson pickups all seem to have been the closest reproductions of '59 PAFs ever produced. Guess what? They ALL were.

I would point out that PAFs are all over the place with windings and magnets and bobbin colors and some are pure Nirvana and some are dogs and I'm guessing the majority fall somewhere in between.

I will never know what a genuine pair of PAFs sound like in any of my guitars and probably will never be within 10 feet of a pair. BUT, the company that made them has done extensive research and gone through a whole lot of effort to replicate them in the most accurate manner. I own the latest set of pickups to result from all of that work.

My question was: Should I now pull the pickups, pots and caps as a unit and install these pickups?

After reading the opinions and actually playing the guitar again, I've decided to not install them in this guitar. I think keeping my "run of the mill" Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Labs Light Aged 1959 Reissue Les Paul stock is the best option for this guitar. It plays great. It sounds great. And I think it looks great no matter what ML or aged guitar haters think.

As far as it being a "run of the mill" ML, I wouldn't even consider taking less than $5k for this guitar which is quite a bit more than what a "run of the mill" Les Paul Standard would bring.

My best option, it seems to me, is to sit on these pickups and see if they go up in value enough for me to part with them or to put them in something else.

 

[Pageburst]

Thank you for your opinion?

Okay look, despite some of my posts which present evidence to the contrary, I'm not stupid. I don't think my Murphy Lab R9 is going to attain '59 Les Paul status or value and I also realize you were using that example as a way to illustrate and emphasize a point. However, my "run of the mill" MLR9 has a bottom line value which exceeds the value of many other Les Pauls and I would prefer to not do something to reduce that bottom line value.

I bought the Gibson S2 pickups because they were/are a limited production of 1000 units... and because I could. One may argue that I fell victim to a marketing scam given that the Series 1 was also a limited run of 1000 and, at the time, were the closest reproduction of the original '59 PAFs ever produced. The Custom Buckers, '59 Classics and an entire parade of Gibson pickups all seem to have been the closest reproductions of '59 PAFs ever produced. Guess what? They ALL were.

I would point out that PAFs are all over the place with windings and magnets and bobbin colors and some are pure Nirvana and some are dogs and I'm guessing the majority fall somewhere in between.

I will never know what a genuine pair of PAFs sound like in any of my guitars and probably will never be within 10 feet of a pair. BUT, the company that made them has done extensive research and gone through a whole lot of effort to replicate them in the most accurate manner. I own the latest set of pickups to result from all of that work.

My question was: Should I now pull the pickups, pots and caps as a unit and install these pickups?

After reading the opinions and actually playing the guitar again, I've decided to not install them in this guitar. I think keeping my "run of the mill" Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Labs Light Aged 1959 Reissue Les Paul stock is the best option for this guitar. It plays great. It sounds great. And I think it looks great no matter what ML or aged guitar haters think.

As far as it being a "run of the mill" ML, I wouldn't even consider taking less than $5k for this guitar which is quite a bit more than what a "run of the mill" Les Paul Standard would bring.

My best option, it seems to me, is to sit on these pickups and see if they go up in value enough for me to part with them or to put them in something else.

I never suggested equivalence between a run of the mill Standard and an ML R9 These are two distinct guitars at different price points despite both being Les Pauls. A run of the mill R9 is still a beautifully crafted high quality reproduction of the vaunted 1959 Burst.

Also, as I’m sure you are aware this is a forum. -where people passionate about Les Pauls share their opinions? Just because someone has a strong opinion doesn’t make them a hater. And like I said, unlike relic haters I’m a huge fan of aged guitars provided the aging is convincing. Afaic finish checking should be subtle, you shouldn’t feel it, and you should only really see it under certain lighting and angles. If you haven’t already, take a look at and/or play some vintage guitars and lmk what you think.

My ML R9 is a great guitar let down by what I consider a less than convincing aged finish. That said I have seen some ML goldtops that absolutely nail the vintage look -not sure why that is. Anyway that’s my honest assessment, not trying to ruffle feathers just expressing my thoughts while trying providing perspective

 

[searswashere]

Start with the wiring harness i guess? I wouldnt think twice about pickup swapping an ML.

People send their historics for makeovers worldwide all the time, so theres that

 

[ampguru68]

Okay look, despite some of my posts which present evidence to the contrary, I'm not stupid. I don't think my Murphy Lab R9 is going to attain '59 Les Paul status or value and I also realize you were using that example as a way to illustrate and emphasize a point. However, my "run of the mill" MLR9 has a bottom line value which exceeds the value of many other Les Pauls and I would prefer to not do something to reduce that bottom line value.

I bought the Gibson S2 pickups because they were/are a limited production of 1000 units... and because I could. One may argue that I fell victim to a marketing scam given that the Series 1 was also a limited run of 1000 and, at the time, were the closest reproduction of the original '59 PAFs ever produced. The Custom Buckers, '59 Classics and an entire parade of Gibson pickups all seem to have been the closest reproductions of '59 PAFs ever produced. Guess what? They ALL were.

I would point out that PAFs are all over the place with windings and magnets and bobbin colors and some are pure Nirvana and some are dogs and I'm guessing the majority fall somewhere in between.

I will never know what a genuine pair of PAFs sound like in any of my guitars and probably will never be within 10 feet of a pair. BUT, the company that made them has done extensive research and gone through a whole lot of effort to replicate them in the most accurate manner. I own the latest set of pickups to result from all of that work.

My question was: Should I now pull the pickups, pots and caps as a unit and install these pickups?

After reading the opinions and actually playing the guitar again, I've decided to not install them in this guitar. I think keeping my "run of the mill" Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Labs Light Aged 1959 Reissue Les Paul stock is the best option for this guitar. It plays great. It sounds great. And I think it looks great no matter what ML or aged guitar haters think.

As far as it being a "run of the mill" ML, I wouldn't even consider taking less than $5k for this guitar which is quite a bit more than what a "run of the mill" Les Paul Standard would bring.

My best option, it seems to me, is to sit on these pickups and see if they go up in value enough for me to part with them or to put them in something else.

“Run of the mill” who said that! Maybe a little less coffee‍

 

[Torren61]

I never suggested equivalence between a run of the mill Standard and an ML R9 These are two distinct guitars at different price points despite both being Les Pauls. A run of the mill R9 is still a beautifully crafted high quality reproduction of the vaunted 1959 Burst.

Also, as I’m sure you are aware this is a forum. -where people passionate about Les Pauls share their opinions? Just because someone has a strong opinion doesn’t make them a hater. And like I said, unlike relic haters I’m a huge fan of aged guitars provided the aging is convincing. Afaic finish checking should be subtle, you shouldn’t feel it, and you should only really see it under certain lighting and angles. If you haven’t already, take a look at and/or play some vintage guitars and lmk what you think.

My ML R9 is a great guitar let down by what I consider a less than convincing aged finish. That said I have seen some ML goldtops that absolutely nail the vintage look -not sure why that is. Anyway that’s my honest assessment, not trying to ruffle feathers just expressing my thoughts while trying another perspective

Yeah, sorry, I was responding to multiple comments and to the general ML hater lurkers who hadn't commented yet, lol. That was not entirely aimed at you.

 

[Torren61]

“Run of the mill” who said that! Maybe a little less coffee‍

I had one double espresso and was responding to another comment bundled with yours. "Run of the mill" was not aimed at you, lol.

 

[Torren61]

I'm trying to work a deal to do a trade for a fairly well part swapped '90 Les Paul Custom. There's a few original parts but not a whole lot left. The body and neck are solid, though. I haven't held it in my hands yet but I'm working on it.

 

[edro]

Simple.

Does the Murphy suck? No? Then the answer is obvious.

Put the fancy pickup case back in the box and secure in the closet top or somewhere it'll be stable and go about your business...

 

[searswashere]

I'm trying to work a deal to do a trade for a fairly well part swapped '90 Les Paul Custom. There's a few original parts but not a whole lot left. The body and neck are solid, though. I haven't held it in my hands yet but I'm working on it.

To be fair they werent custom shop made unless its a pre-historic reissue, not much to worry about stock parts imo

 

[Torren61]

To be fair they werent custom shop made unless its a pre-historic reissue, not much to worry about stock parts imo

Pickups, pots, bridge, stop tail and pick guard have all been replaced.

 

[Torren61]

If I can't make a deal on that, it's most likely going to be this '07 Studio. I would swap out the pickups and gold hardware for aged nickel to match the Series 2 aged covers I have.

With this, it doesn't matter AT ALL what I do to it. It has DiMarzios in it right now. They and the gold hardware would be for sale and that should cover a large part of the cost of the nickel parts including locking tuners.

 

[searswashere]

Hopefully that lpc is appropriately priced!

 

[Torren61]

Hopefully that lpc is appropriately priced!

He's been all over the place with it. High was $3500, lol. Low was $2300. I think he's close with $2300 but he has a Les Paul Custom and he thinks he has a better guitar than what he has. I'm trying to work a trade in the $2k region of value. The Alpine White Studio has been modified but it's in much better condition even considering ITS swapped out parts. Plus it'll look cool with nickel hardware and sporting the Series 2 pups. Alligator case with white interior. I don't have a white guitar... yet.

 

[searswashere]

He's been all over the place with it. High was $3500, lol. Low was $2300. I think he's close with $2300 but he has a Les Paul Custom and he thinks he has a better guitar than what he has. I'm trying to work a trade in the $2k region of value. The Alpine White Studio has been modified but it's in much better condition even considering ITS swapped out parts. Plus it'll look cool with nickel hardware and sporting the Series 2 pups. Alligator case with white interior. I don't have a white guitar... yet.

Yeah my cap would be $2200usd on a nom black or white 90s lpc in great condition.

Someone has been asking $3400usd ish for their 1990 sunburst custom like that… for 3+ years.

 

[Zr.King]

Pickups, pots, bridge, stop tail and pick guard have all been replaced.

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I remember that LP Custom. Dude been trying to move that for a minute.

 

[Torren61]

So, to cap it all off, I'm going to have to go against the hive consensus on this one. Sorta like the guy standing on the ledge with the crowd below yelling "JUMP! JUMP! JUMP!" I'm going to cautiously back away and return to my hotel room.

 

[Duane_the_tub]

@Torren61 don't know if your saw this one or whether or not it's your cup of tea, but this '08 Studio Premium Plus is priced right, only weighs 7 lbs. 4 oz. (!) and has a bananas flametop on it. I bet those S2s would sound incredible in a guitar this light.

 

[Torren61]

That's a very cool looking guitar. My first PRS McCarty was a natural finish that looked a lot like that. The Alpine White Studio I posted is sub-$1000.

 

[Bobby Mahogany]

Pickups, pots, bridge, stop tail and pick guard have all been replaced.

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I'm surprised by the maple top.
Are more pics available?
Is the serial number available?
The '90s were "one piece mahogany body with two piece maple top".
And the "line" was in the middle.
I see one possible line over the control knobs.
You should contact Gibson with the serial number and see what it was
when it left the plant. Just in case it's been refinished as well.

That said, a Custom doesn't sound like a Standard because of the Ebony board.
So any "comparison" or expectation of tone should take that into consideration.

Regarding the Gibson pickups in the beautiful fancy case:
Is Gibson known for their outstanding pickups?
Usually their pickups are removed for "better" or different ones.
I personally would not go the Gibson road for a pickup change.
And if you're not generally a person to mod your guitar(s),
I'm not sure the return on lost investment will bring you happiness.

I could say "Oh what the hell! Pickups and guitars are meant to be played!"
but that's not true of all guitars and collectible stuff.
That's not true of all owners!

Your call.
Totally!

 

[Torren61]