Hey it's Mat from Gibson Product Development - AMA

[Wizard1183]

Certainly that’s one cause, and likely the source of the even more urine-y effect like you would see on Slash’s “First Burst” for example.. nearly brownish-yellow staining on the pickup rings.. or any vintage Stratocaster pickguard. Aniline dye contamination stains plastics very effectively as well. vintage guitars with missing sections of finish can expose the whole guitar (plastics included) to the aniline-dyed wood, especially while it rests in the case.

To clarify, my note was that Tom Murphy doesn’t personally do any of the hardware from what I’ve been told (nor does he do every aging job on the finishes, there’s a Murphy Lab “team” involved).

That’s right. He’s basically retired. He teaches them how to properly use the rail road spike and yay or nay. May super exclusive guitars he does himself. Like the $50k KH Greeny guitars? I believe he actually has his hand in those? But ML guitars are the team. He sits down collects a check and gets fat

 

[Wizard1183]

Yet why do people continue to engage the troll? Just ignore him, it's never anything constructive, only negative contrarian BS. Here Mat clearly is asking for this thread to be for questions addressed to him, yet Wizard1183 continues his usual non-productive garbage, ignoring the purpose of this thread when there clearly is another active thread on this very topic he could be using for his trolling. He contributes nothing to the community here, only trying to pick fights. I wouldn't shed a tear if the mods just blocked him entirely and I doubt anyone else would either. Mat is trying to do a service to the members here by offering honest and truthful insight into Gibson and Wizard1183 just continues to disrespect anything he chooses to try to spread negativity and snarky comments that are never helpful to anyone or advance any discussion. 100% trolling. Can we just be done with him, please?

Excuse me? I was explaining how it could be done? How do YOU know what ML does to age things? YOU don’t.

Try this: “I can't believe everyone hasn't put this clown on ignore like I did, and let him live in his own echo chamber bubble. Try it folks, it makes the forum a more enjoyable experience.” I guess it does work?

 

[jb_abides]

@matkoehler

In the recent Anderton's USA tour video, Jim DeCola mentions African mahogany as a source.

Time ~23:20:

I've heard [read] you mention Gibson only ever uses Honduran mahogany, specifically Swietenia Macrophylla which is now grown sustainably in Fiji and Central/South America after the more traditional forests have dwindled. [I've also heard that lightweight Fiji typically goes to Custom Shop, while newer growth from the Americas goes to USA therefore subject to weight relief...]

Was this a misunderstanding one my part, or did you mean the Custom Shop uses only Honduran mahogany (and still continues thusly)... and USA can use other species?

Would you please give a rundown of species and sources of mahogany used for:
- Custom Shop
- USA
- Epiphone IGC
- Epiphone standard lines
- Other brands: Kramer, et al
-- Any difference by Collection or model e.g. Standards get Swietenia Macrophylla, but Tributes get other?

And crucially is Jim's statement meant to mean African Khaya Ivorensis is used [has it ever been, when, where, and for what?] ... or is Swietenia Macrophylla being sourced from African locations?!

Thanks.

 

[guitarbob123]

Hi @matkoehler

I was wondering if the Murphy Lab gold tops will green like the vintage models with time? Would be a big factor in buying a new one vs finding a used model and getting it refinished.

Also wondering if the 58 Explorers can be M2M specified with a single-piece body and a Murphy Lab finish or if that’s something where it’d have to be from Matt at Banker Custom etc.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Cliff Gress]

 

[TM1]

Does Custom use Hide Glue on the layers on the 335, 345, 355?

 

[matkoehler]

That’s right. He’s basically retired. He teaches them how to properly use the rail road spike and yay or nay. May super exclusive guitars he does himself. Like the $50k KH Greeny guitars? I believe he actually has his hand in those? But ML guitars are the team. He sits down collects a check and gets fat

Don't you have something better to do than be a troll? Tom is the first one in and last one out of the Lab every day. He is as passionate about this stuff now as he has ever been. He's also the oldest Gibson employee on staff...he could have retired years ago. He wants to do this as long as he is able. Show a little respect.

 

[TM1]

Tom is a super nice guy who really knows his shit! He called me once about 7-8 years ago to talk with me about an issue with one of his Marshall Amps! I was floored he even knew about me. I had my shop open then(Toneman, Inc)

 

[MarcB]

“Time spent arguing is, oddly enough, almost never wasted” - Christopher Hitchens

Bonjour.

 

[ToneHenge]

When I met Tom at NAMM in 2019 or 2020. Tom was very kind to share his knowledge. John Stamos was there that year.

@matkoehler when you guys replicate PAFs further, will you add the “L” tooling marks and such to them? Will the decal be updated? I am just curious as to how far the Custom Shop is looking to go given how far Gibson has gone to replicate plastics. I’ve also noticed that the shaft size on the potentiometers seems slightly larger than previous years. Again, not expecting any answer in return if this gets down too much into the nitty gritty. I’d be grateful for any response from you.

 

[wmachine]

“Time spent arguing is, oddly enough, almost never wasted” - Christopher Hitchens

Bonjour.

I suggest that unlike me, Mr Hitchens has nothing better to do. I say "never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time, and annoys the pig".

 

[jb_abides]

I suggest that unlike me, Mr Hitchens has nothing better to do.

That, and Mr. Hitchens got paid for the endeavor.

 

[Haaakon]

Hello, @matkoehler

Hope you can awnser a question i have about my 2016 58 Reissue.

The Model is labled as a LPR8S. I am trying to find out What the S means? Some say standard and some say select, But i have not found any official info from Gibson About this


Also: I got a hold of a 58 reissue Junior DC In factory black. Gibson Costumer support told me it was a Special order to germany In 2008. I understand it is pretty rare In factory black finish. Any way to tell How many other factory black 58 reissue’s are out there?

Thanks!
Haakon, Norway

 

[El Gringo]

View attachment 23957

What a super cool photo

 

[El Gringo]

Hello, @matkoehler

Hope you can awnser a question i have about my 2016 58 Reissue.

The Model is labled as a LPR8S. I am trying to find out What the S means? Some say standard and some say select, But i have not found any official info from Gibson About this
View attachment 24025

Also: I got a hold of a 58 reissue Junior DC In factory black. Gibson Costumer support told me it was a Special order to germany In 2008. I understand it is pretty rare In factory black finish. Any way to tell How many other factory black 58 reissue’s are out there?
View attachment 24026
Thanks!
Haakon, Norway

could your Les Paul be a CME spec ?

 

[MattD1960]

could your Les Paul be a CME spec ?

i have a couple CME spec guitars and usually they are very up front and put CME before the S/N. mine both have CME 12345 serials

 

[Haaakon]

could your Les Paul be a CME spec ?

I Think MattD1960 is right. The serial number stamp on mine starts with ‘R8’ and not CME

 

[El Gringo]

i have a couple CME spec guitars and usually they are very up front and put CME before the S/N. mine both have CME 12345 serials

You are right as I forgot about the serial# designation being prefaced by the CME

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Hi Mat: Do you have access to employee records from the 60's? Can I get in touch with you if I call Gibson directly? This involves some pretty special guitars from the 50's.

 

[spaceace_75]

Hello Mat

What is going on with Gibson USA firebirds? Will the USA line ever be brought back? I heard that the non-reverse will be brought back before the standard "reverse" models are.

Can you comment on this at all?

Can't afford a custom shop model but want more than the epiphone.

Also, any chance of a Made in USA Coronet/Wilshire/Olympic in beautiful silver fox? pipe dream I know