How to ID a True Gibson Les Paul R9 Tom Murphy, without a COA?

[John Barber]

I'm thinking of buying a 2006 Gibson Les Paul that the seller says its a Tom Murphy Aged Guitar, but he doesn't have the COA, I know there started to be a lot of people doing the relic thing in there back rooms. If you had the serial number could Gibson look in there records and find that guitar and know weather they had Tom do it, or it was done by some unknown?

 

[fred dons]

Tom Initials his paint under the volume and tone of the bridge pickup ( T M cut into the paint making it look like random crackle) it is no guarantee that is it a TM when it appears as anyone can cut this but if it is absence I would doubt it really is a murphy

 

[kanelime]

Anyone may cut this, so it's not always a certainty that it's a TM when it appears; however, if it's missing, I would question whether it's actually a murphy. Tom initials his paint under the bridge pickup's volume and tone, creating what seems like random cracks.
io games

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

I don't think Tom was putting his initials into the guitars in 2006. You should be able to send the serial number to Gibson and get some details.

 

[hdm3]

Not sure if its just on the "Painted by Tom Murphy" ones since that is what I own. But he signs the inside on the control cavity too. Mine isnt aged so no razor initials on the top, but the sig is inside the control cavity.