Oh boy ..... I have heard there are problems with the Murphy labs.

[El Gringo]

Were'd you hear this? So far, I've only heard it was a problem with some of the the ML aged guitars with the cherry backs.

First hand knowledge

 

[Dr. Green]

oh boy ...

 

[clearmudd]

This is a Sweetwater return they are selling at a reduced price...the pics show the flaking and lifting of the finish.

 

[6L6]

First hand knowledge

That's a new one. Got any pics showing the flaking on a non-ML? That could be an even bigger problem.

 

[marshall1987]

Turns out there is a lot of talk on the internet about the marquee Murphy labs finish giving out.
seems its turned into a little bit of a disaster for Gibson and Murphy the man himself.

anyone have first hand knowledge about this and can dispel it ?

word has it some folks like the tone so much they are keeping them anyway

I have a hard time believing that the motivation behind Gibson's newest model line....the "Murphy Lab" models..... is anything but marketing hype.

 

[JPP-1]

I have a hard time believing that the motivation behind Gibson's newest model line....the "Murphy Lab" models..... is anything but marketing hype.

The motivation is pretty straight forward. Make more money. That’s what most successful companies are supposed to do in order to survive.

They are simply borrowing a page from Fender’s play book and doing temperature change checking instead of the more time consuming and less natural looking razor checking. Evidently they have had a few hiccups along the way. Using Murphy’s name makes perfect sense as he’s the guy known for aging the historic Les Pauls.

I don’t see it as marketing hype any more than the CC line or any other run of Historics. it’s just good old fashioned straightforward predictable marketing

 

[Tim Plains]

I have a hard time believing that the motivation behind Gibson's newest model line....the "Murphy Lab" models..... is anything but marketing hype.

It seems straight forward to me.

Sell in-house aged guitars for slightly more than VOS, or put Tom's good name on them and charge a hefty premium.

 

[J.D.]

So if the finish is deliberately chipped off it is art/aging but if it is not deliberately removed and flakes off on its own it's a defect?

 

[amorrow]

There's definitely something going on, that for Gibson is unique to the Murphy Lab line. For anyone who's played a new Murphy Lab, the finish is undoubtedly different and I haven't seen this on any non-ML. I can vouch that the problem appears to be only the cherry finish, and the flaking is most prevalent on the sides in areas near the strap pins. Both my 54 and 59 heavy aged arrived without noticeable flaking, but my 59 has begun to flake whereas the 54 with lighter back doesn't show a bit of it.

Here's the 59. LOVE this M2M with some Page #1 specs including the neck profile with the nicest feel and perfectly rolled binding, and I don’t want any sanding/refinish to change it. So I'm reluctant to send it in for repair, and will maybe do it only if the flaking/lifting worsens. You can see how the checking appears consistent with freezer method aside from the actual lifting that's visible near the strap pin and jack plate....similar areas to others shown. If you can't see the difference between the "defective" areas and intentional checking, I don't know what to tell you.

 

[KR1]

This business of aging and relic-ing new instruments has never been my thing (all subjective) but the photos of ML guitars above are awful. I feel for the customers and resellers-

 

[El Gringo]

There's definitely something going on, that for Gibson is unique to the Murphy Lab line. For anyone who's played a new Murphy Lab, the finish is undoubtedly different and I haven't seen this on any non-ML. I can vouch that the problem appears to be only the cherry finish, and the flaking is most prevalent on the sides in areas near the strap pins. Both my 54 and 59 heavy aged arrived without noticeable flaking, but my 59 has begun to flake whereas the 54 with lighter back doesn't show a bit of it.

Here's the 59. LOVE this M2M with some Page #1 specs including the neck profile with the nicest feel and perfectly rolled binding, and I don’t want any sanding/refinish to change it. So I'm reluctant to send it in for repair, and will maybe do it only if the flaking/lifting worsens. You can see how the checking appears consistent with freezer method aside from the actual lifting that's visible near the strap pin and jack plate....similar areas to others shown. If you can't see the difference between the "defective" areas and intentional checking, I don't know what to tell you.

Correct on the dark cherry and double correct around the strap pins . Not unique to the Murphy Lab series also as it's the regular Gibson Custom series also . Tom Murphy is getting beat up a unfairly as this is a Gibson Custom Division issue !

 

[El Gringo]

This is a Sweetwater return they are selling at a reduced price...the pics show the flaking and lifting of the finish.

View attachment 14504View attachment 14505View attachment 14506

This is accurate as I seen this yesterday .

 

[Wise Guy]

This is a Sweetwater return they are selling at a reduced price...the pics show the flaking and lifting of the finish.

View attachment 14504View attachment 14505View attachment 14506

Dang those cracks look like you could actually feel them which really isn't good.

 

[AA00475Bassman]

On my single cut 2018 JR many nights of -30 the cracks did lift on edges could be paint formulas?

My 2007 R8 has not reacted to cold what so ever paint formula ?

My Custom shop Firebirds all very weather checked just from severe humidity swings paint formula !

Firebirds have not lifted paint , paint formula ?

My USA Sunburst 2016 Firebird has literally laid in the -30 snowbank for many days of Thermal cycling very little checking Paint formula ?

I will not buy anymore non aged Gibsons period at age of 64 I'm not playing any guitar till it looks worn I like fake aging !

I was not aware of Custom Shop had this issue as Murphy Lab same paint formula ?

The owners of the two guitars posted 1 Murphy Lab ! M2M these are beautiful guitars .

Burning Murphy & Gibson at the stake is ridiculous don't buy if you don't like .

 

[AA00475Bassman]

As far as the Sweetwater return I would have never pulled the trigger on this guitar .

The checking runs longitudinal checking looks wrong ive seen many vintage ES guitars with longitudinal checking yet to see a sunburst Les Paul never say never .

Ive been shopping Aged custom shop , Collector Choice , now Murphy Lab ,

When & if I pull the trigger I will know exactly what Im unboxing, I won't be crying the chicken doesn't taste like eagle !

 

[AA00475Bassman]

I also truly believe thermal cycling a guitars finish on a production scale has many variables for a desired outcome .

 

[Dr. Green]

I have a hard time believing that the motivation behind Gibson's newest model line....the "Murphy Lab" models..... is anything but marketing hype.

you can think what ever you please ..... I for one think the finish .... other than the flaking issue is an extreme improvement . I think the regular finish is way too soft tacky and gummy

 

[amorrow]

Correct on the dark cherry and double correct around the strap pins . Not unique to the Murphy Lab series also as it's the regular Gibson Custom series also . Tom Murphy is getting beat up a unfairly as this is a Gibson Custom Division issue !is the same

Is the same problematic cherry filler/pigment being used across the Historic line, with only the lacquer different with the MLs? I just haven’t seen similar flaking on non-MLs, but maybe the different lacquer is more forgiving despite there’s still a similar adhesion issue?

I’m also curious why the problem appears to be happening in the same areas of every guitar I’ve seen. The headstock/neck/back on mine looks just fine…same thing with pics I’ve seen of others.

 

[El Gringo]

Is the same problematic cherry filler/pigment being used across the Historic line, with only the lacquer different with the MLs? I just haven’t seen similar flaking on non-MLs, but maybe the different lacquer is more forgiving despite there’s still a similar adhesion issue?

I’m also curious why the problem appears to be happening in the same areas of every guitar I’ve seen. The headstock/neck/back on mine looks just fine…same thing with pics I’ve seen of others.

This is my gut feeling as I have no evidence but I think Gibson Custom is using the same Nitro on both the Murphy Labs as regular Gibson Custom . I have a hard time believing there are 2 different types of formula for the clear coat Nitro ? As far as the area goes I also believe this is where the contact happens between the interior lining of the case and the bottom end of the instrument which then makes contact with the lining and the mahogany .

 

[Dr. Green]

why would you think its the same nitro ?
they look and feel completely different

El Stumphead