Timestamps: 0:00 Tone Preview 0:28 What are we looking at? 4:34 Mike's first impressions 7:10 What pickups? 8:32 Suhr PT15IR 10:51 Marshall Vintage Modern 2266 12:12 Friedman BE-100 Deluxe 14:14 Mesa Dual Rectifier Rev. F 15:09 Piezo (Fender ’64 HW Princeton) 16:26 What do we think of the tone? 28:00 Murphy Lab - Did they make changes? 35:14 Review: The Good 41:08 Review: The Bad 51:32 Review: The In-between 58:49 Conclusion
I have some experience using lacquer with no plasticizers and I can tell you the checking can be hard to predict and often occurs before you're able to final sand/buff. It looks like you can see buffing compound in some of the cracks which may mean it started to check before it even hit the buffer. Also, that "premature" checking tends to appear vertical (parallel to the strings) and tends to be deep which is why you can feel it with your hands. Also, plasticizers are part of what gives lacquer its adherence so its not surprising they're having issues getting it to stick to that pore filler-covered substrate.
If you appreciate this highly detailed overview and honest review consider sponsoring a coffee, which is definitely needed after all the work this video took 😂 Much appreciated! www.buymeacoffee.com/YeatzeeGuitar
I've got #50 and the checking is similar when comparing mine to where you showed yours up close. The only obvious difference is my fretboard is definitely blacker. My favorite thing about this guitar is the piezo though, sounds great even through my plexi.
Rock on! I hope you're enjoying yours. They are really great guitars. Ebony is so all-over the place right now. I'm not dissatisfied with mine; in fact, I've kind of grown to like it because it matches the wine/gold aesthetic very well.
@@Rooster7six I love the guitar and we gel, but I'm afraid of fret wear ruining its mint condition and collectibility so it sits in the case wayyyy to much.
@@Rooster7six If you're a Cantrell fan I'm sure you're going to love it. Really a unique guitar, I was impressed and liked it more than I ever thought I would (not my typical style).
I had the 490 set in a Gibson SG, they were kind of dull in that guitar. They sound great in this guitar, played through that amp and in those hands... LOL. I think the whole package works! Nice review!
IMHO it's just hard to beat the sound of the SHAW'S!! The Whino did not disappoint tho. I'm just not crazy about those pickups. Maybe i'm just spoiled from the vintage guitars! Love the Norlin Era guitars!!
I wonder if they changed magnet source? The a2 mags in my 490 set made them very dull sounding in my guitar. A5 short mags just brought them to life. I ended up rewinding mine with plain enamel using an autotraverse, and not potting them, but the really big improvement was discovered when I swapped out the original a2 mags for the short a5. I then tried the gibson a2 in various other pickups I wound, and they just fell short in everything I tried, they just lent a dull "bwah bwah" to the sound and attack. So back to my hypothesis, did they change magnets? Or maybe the wind spec or wire? Have I gone off the deep end? Anyway this Jerry Cantrell model sounds super with these pickups, no doubt about it.
@@patchesthejaybird8431 so the 498t is alnico 5 and i thought that was always the case for paf pickups but maybe there was a period where there was alnico 2 in both.
Jerry is famous for his GLs, blue dress and no war primarily, the only LP that’s worth collecting is the legendary alpine white AKA DTrip. This wine one is like on the 5th tier of famous Jerry guitars, actually I wouldn’t even rate it. Not hating just stating facts, I’m clueless as to why Gibson focused on this one to do a signature model.
@@YeatzeeGuitar First, really dig your thorough and beautifully shot reviews. Cool Custom too! Since ML Is trying to replicate a mid 90s Custom, I'd assume they would use a modern lacquer formula not a 50s lacquer with less plasticizers. It would explain why there Is less checking and there isn't much of a chance of it flaking. What doesn't make sense, wine 90s Customs routinely sell in 3K range. $300 in mods and you have the real deal.
Thanks! To be honest I doubt they're trying to accurately replicate a 90s custom beyond the look. I think they just shot this along side the other Murphy labs as if it was a 59 reissue or otherwise.
@@YeatzeeGuitar well having held a murphy custom and a heavy aged r9, you can just tell. Also if you look at aged customs vs a burst the customs generally are closer to looking new in almost every case. I think they need to use a thicker coat of paint to fully eliminate visibility of the wood.
@@YeatzeeGuitar also on the topic of the nut, i have corian in my les paul custom and it has exactly the same tuning issues this one does. Had to have it filed but I think I'm going to have it replaced with graphtech. It's not a vintage spec and it's meant to be a player so it's just a quality of life thing I'm going to need to do it make it better.
I think they did some reissues or a signature model of the Rampage some time back. Definitely an iconic Jerry guitar, but he's with Gibson now so they're highlighting all his Les Paul work (which, in fairness, there is a lot of).
On a side note...since Gibson is on a signature kick, I REALLY wish they would bring back the Jimmy Page no. 1 guitar...that, I would definitely scrape up the cash to get...good work boys!!!
I liked the silverburst as it seemed the most open sounding. I dont like a bunch of bottom end from a pickup and would rather have a very mild pickup with a big dynamic range. Les Pauls have plenty of low end as it is. Maybe the Silverburst sounded good because of the upgraded wiring harness which I think would benifit the 1980 Custom with the Tim Shaws. It could be that the pots in the 1980 might be 300k which would dull the top end and make it sound like all midrange. The Cantrell Wino was ok if you like that sort of powerful pickup but it's not for me and the price is just crazy.
The Silverburst definitely has the least low-end of any of these guitars. I think it comes alive and fills out a little bit with some gain, especially on an amp like the BE-100. I like it's sound but I'm considering changing the pickups to see what happens. I ordered a set of Bare Knuckle Black Dogs that should help balance its sound out a little while providing a touch more output. You are definitely spot-on about the electronics. The Silverburst has an entirely new wiring harness with 500k pots and is also wired in '50s wiring. This is all likely leading to some of the brightness, too. The '82 is all-original electronics. I took a look at the pots. They correctly date to '81 (the guitar is a very early '82). I can't tell from the markings if they are 500k or 300k. They have the code "71-079" on the bottom and then the date stamp is "1378135." Based on this information, do you know if they're 500k or 300k?
@@eldoradoguitars6456 you have to test them with a multimeter but most likely they are 300k. I think Gibson went to 300k pots in the 70's and stuck with them for a very long time. Are the pickups in the Silverburst late 70's T tops? That is a 70's Silverburst correct?
@@HiHello-ku1fl Ah okay, I'll have to bust out my meter at some point and test them. The Silverburst is a 1979. It has the original T-Top pickups. These late ones have A5 magnets combined with low output, so it has a very sharp sound.
@@eldoradoguitars6456 I like that...plus you have to remember that it has a maple neck wich will sound cleaner and rounder and brighter. I think all T tops had alnico 5 magnets except maybe some of the very earliest having alnico 2 and even that must have been super rare. But they do vary through the years. I grew over time to like lower output and brighter pickups.
@@YeatzeeGuitar I'm saying it don't seem like a big deal to me... It very well could have happened on his if it is used regularly. But I've seen it on vintage guitars in shops as well. To me it makes it look like a old guitar that also gets used and maintenance.
@@YeatzeeGuitar well sure if enough people want them. He's not stupid. He doesn't have people making his guitars who would otherwise work at McDonalds. I can't believe some of the people Gibson has making their production line guitars. Many dont play guitar. The passion would be the #1 requirement for the job if you are going to be on the line building them. You should have to be into guitar.
@@YeatzeeGuitar maybe because many old PRS guitars aren't that old and so don't look old plus I don't think he ever used Nitro finish so it would be a new thing for him. If he owned Gibson though he might be more inclined to make them like the old ones and age them. I don't know it was more a thought of doing them right. PRS seems to really do well with quality control. For Gibson's prices there should be much less issues than they have. Nut issues always get me. Finish flaws etc. At least sell them as B stock if they have these issues. The real original Gibson company use to do that.
Hey, Appreciate the comment! They're definitely real vintage Les Pauls. They're from the Norlin Era, where the body specs were quite different from '50s or modern Les Pauls. Flatter tops, sharper curves, pancake bodies, three piece necks, volutes... the list goes on and on. Definitely a funky era for Gibson but I like them!
@@eldoradoguitars6456 I was just visiting a friend at a shop Saturday and he had a 70s LP custom he was repairing that made the move from Hawaii to Utah and the body is splitting apart at the seam from the pancake style. Gotta love different climates!
@@Stratpack59 Oh man, bummer! I used to live in Arizona: once in Phoenix and once in Tucson. The humidity in the desert is BRUTAL for guitars. The first time I was there, I lived in Tucson and I didn't know how badly it would affect my guitars. Had to get them all repairs for fret sprout. Learned my lesson and when I lived in Phoenix, I bought a HUGE humidifier that kept my guitar and amp room at 55% :)
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Timestamps:
0:00 Tone Preview
0:28 What are we looking at?
4:34 Mike's first impressions
7:10 What pickups?
8:32 Suhr PT15IR
10:51 Marshall Vintage Modern 2266
12:12 Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
14:14 Mesa Dual Rectifier Rev. F
15:09 Piezo (Fender ’64 HW Princeton)
16:26 What do we think of the tone?
28:00 Murphy Lab - Did they make changes?
35:14 Review: The Good
41:08 Review: The Bad
51:32 Review: The In-between
58:49 Conclusion
Excellent format for a review. Very thorough, informative and enjoyable.
Thank you! Glad somebody enjoyed it 😆
I have some experience using lacquer with no plasticizers and I can tell you the checking can be hard to predict and often occurs before you're able to final sand/buff. It looks like you can see buffing compound in some of the cracks which may mean it started to check before it even hit the buffer. Also, that "premature" checking tends to appear vertical (parallel to the strings) and tends to be deep which is why you can feel it with your hands. Also, plasticizers are part of what gives lacquer its adherence so its not surprising they're having issues getting it to stick to that pore filler-covered substrate.
The checking looks nice, from what I could see it reminds me of a 70's Deluxe I have, it appears quite authentic.
For that price I would expect Jerry Cantrell to hand deliver the Wino guitar to me. 😀
If you appreciate this highly detailed overview and honest review consider sponsoring a coffee, which is definitely needed after all the work this video took 😂 Much appreciated! www.buymeacoffee.com/YeatzeeGuitar
I've got #50 and the checking is similar when comparing mine to where you showed yours up close. The only obvious difference is my fretboard is definitely blacker. My favorite thing about this guitar is the piezo though, sounds great even through my plexi.
Rock on! I hope you're enjoying yours. They are really great guitars. Ebony is so all-over the place right now. I'm not dissatisfied with mine; in fact, I've kind of grown to like it because it matches the wine/gold aesthetic very well.
@@eldoradoguitars6456 no doubt yours looks amazing and I love when each guitar has its own unique qualities.
I see you listed it! Did you end up not gelling with it?
@@Rooster7six I love the guitar and we gel, but I'm afraid of fret wear ruining its mint condition and collectibility so it sits in the case wayyyy to much.
@@toddkmail I here that. I just bought #66. I’m just going to play it though. Hell with it 🤣
Mine delivers today!
Congrats!!!
@@YeatzeeGuitar had to list a couple other guitars but hopefully it’s worth it!
@@Rooster7six If you're a Cantrell fan I'm sure you're going to love it. Really a unique guitar, I was impressed and liked it more than I ever thought I would (not my typical style).
@@YeatzeeGuitar definitely am lol. Also, great vid! I sub’d. Your playing is killer too! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
I had the 490 set in a Gibson SG, they were kind of dull in that guitar. They sound great in this guitar, played through that amp and in those hands... LOL. I think the whole package works! Nice review!
Thanks!
IMHO it's just hard to beat the sound of the SHAW'S!! The Whino did not disappoint tho. I'm just not crazy about those pickups. Maybe i'm just spoiled from the vintage guitars! Love the Norlin Era guitars!!
490s …..mostly dark muddy mess but you get brighter ones from time to time apparently
The 490t/498r combo i have in my les paul custom sound amazing! I think they are just making them better now. Mine is a 2020.
I wonder if they changed magnet source? The a2 mags in my 490 set made them very dull sounding in my guitar. A5 short mags just brought them to life. I ended up rewinding mine with plain enamel using an autotraverse, and not potting them, but the really big improvement was discovered when I swapped out the original a2 mags for the short a5. I then tried the gibson a2 in various other pickups I wound, and they just fell short in everything I tried, they just lent a dull "bwah bwah" to the sound and attack. So back to my hypothesis, did they change magnets? Or maybe the wind spec or wire? Have I gone off the deep end? Anyway this Jerry Cantrell model sounds super with these pickups, no doubt about it.
@@patchesthejaybird8431 so the 498t is alnico 5 and i thought that was always the case for paf pickups but maybe there was a period where there was alnico 2 in both.
@@patchesthejaybird8431 Could be some sleight of hand from Gibson… tweaked the usual 490R/498T we all know just for this sig model. Just a guess.
Jerry is famous for his GLs, blue dress and no war primarily, the only LP that’s worth collecting is the legendary alpine white AKA DTrip. This wine one is like on the 5th tier of famous Jerry guitars, actually I wouldn’t even rate it. Not hating just stating facts, I’m clueless as to why Gibson focused on this one to do a signature model.
Yeah, odd choice for sure.
How do I add a picture - I found a couple pictures of Jerry playing his Wino
You can't but you can email me them! Yeatzeeguitar@gmail.com
Sounds good...I have an earlly 80"s Luxor Tree of Life Custom that's looks just like this Little browner Stunner Pups actually sound great Volute ??
No volute on the Jerry Cantrell or the '82. The '79 Silverburst does have the volute.
Only a true Alice in Chains fan would start the video with the intro riff to Bleed the Freak
Each has its own sonic footprint, which serves its own specific purpose.... but I personally like the JC waaaaaaaaaay better than the others.
Hermosa guitarra!!!
So early 70"s spec's I didn't catch a repro info ?? GnL should do one as well
I believe the original is a 90s custom
The original is a 1990 Custom and this one is made to that spec
@@YeatzeeGuitar First, really dig your thorough and beautifully shot reviews. Cool Custom too! Since ML Is trying to replicate a mid 90s Custom, I'd assume they would use a modern lacquer formula not a 50s lacquer with less plasticizers. It would explain why there Is less checking and there isn't much of a chance of it flaking. What doesn't make sense, wine 90s Customs routinely sell in 3K range. $300 in mods and you have the real deal.
Thanks! To be honest I doubt they're trying to accurately replicate a 90s custom beyond the look. I think they just shot this along side the other Murphy labs as if it was a 59 reissue or otherwise.
First comment! By the way damn nice riffs!
As an aside, i believe les paul customs get a different thickness of lacquer than the bursts.
Really? Whys that?
@@YeatzeeGuitar well having held a murphy custom and a heavy aged r9, you can just tell. Also if you look at aged customs vs a burst the customs generally are closer to looking new in almost every case. I think they need to use a thicker coat of paint to fully eliminate visibility of the wood.
@@YeatzeeGuitar also on the topic of the nut, i have corian in my les paul custom and it has exactly the same tuning issues this one does. Had to have it filed but I think I'm going to have it replaced with graphtech. It's not a vintage spec and it's meant to be a player so it's just a quality of life thing I'm going to need to do it make it better.
Probably a good move
When I think Jerry Cantrell, I think G&L rampage “blue dress” guitar...thats a nice Les Paul, but 9 grand...ouch!!!
I think they did some reissues or a signature model of the Rampage some time back. Definitely an iconic Jerry guitar, but he's with Gibson now so they're highlighting all his Les Paul work (which, in fairness, there is a lot of).
On a side note...since Gibson is on a signature kick, I REALLY wish they would bring back the Jimmy Page no. 1 guitar...that, I would definitely scrape up the cash to get...good work boys!!!
That would be cool!
I'd love if they reissued that Page guitar! Bet it'll be more than $9k tho :)
@@eldoradoguitars6456 ....aww...you know that’s right!!!!
I liked the silverburst as it seemed the most open sounding. I dont like a bunch of bottom end from a pickup and would rather have a very mild pickup with a big dynamic range. Les Pauls have plenty of low end as it is. Maybe the Silverburst sounded good because of the upgraded wiring harness which I think would benifit the 1980 Custom with the Tim Shaws. It could be that the pots in the 1980 might be 300k which would dull the top end and make it sound like all midrange. The Cantrell Wino was ok if you like that sort of powerful pickup but it's not for me and the price is just crazy.
The Silverburst definitely has the least low-end of any of these guitars. I think it comes alive and fills out a little bit with some gain, especially on an amp like the BE-100. I like it's sound but I'm considering changing the pickups to see what happens. I ordered a set of Bare Knuckle Black Dogs that should help balance its sound out a little while providing a touch more output.
You are definitely spot-on about the electronics. The Silverburst has an entirely new wiring harness with 500k pots and is also wired in '50s wiring. This is all likely leading to some of the brightness, too. The '82 is all-original electronics. I took a look at the pots. They correctly date to '81 (the guitar is a very early '82). I can't tell from the markings if they are 500k or 300k. They have the code "71-079" on the bottom and then the date stamp is "1378135." Based on this information, do you know if they're 500k or 300k?
@@eldoradoguitars6456 you have to test them with a multimeter but most likely they are 300k. I think Gibson went to 300k pots in the 70's and stuck with them for a very long time. Are the pickups in the Silverburst late 70's T tops? That is a 70's Silverburst correct?
@@HiHello-ku1fl Ah okay, I'll have to bust out my meter at some point and test them.
The Silverburst is a 1979. It has the original T-Top pickups. These late ones have A5 magnets combined with low output, so it has a very sharp sound.
@@eldoradoguitars6456 I like that...plus you have to remember that it has a maple neck wich will sound cleaner and rounder and brighter. I think all T tops had alnico 5 magnets except maybe some of the very earliest having alnico 2 and even that must have been super rare. But they do vary through the years. I grew over time to like lower output and brighter pickups.
#38. And your not the first in America :-)
You got yours before they officially announced it too? Very cool!
“Fender Custom Shop”?!🤔
?
@@YeatzeeGuitar
Y’said it’s from FENDER’s C S
(just an innocent slip, right?)
Murphy’s is in-house Gibson, I believe…unless they are contracting it out but even then it wouldn’t be to Fender, surely🤷♂️?
It’s a wine red 90s Les Paul, just buy a 90s wine red Les Paul and save yourself some money
Honestly the Silverburst sounded better.
Definitely had it's own unique tone! What did you like most about it?
@@YeatzeeGuitar It seemed to have the best note definition and it sounded fuller than the other two.
If you lose a screw in a guitar you've had forever, you generally replace it with a new one... Just sayin.
Are you saying that's what happened on Jerry's, or are you just guessing?
@@YeatzeeGuitar I'm saying it don't seem like a big deal to me... It very well could have happened on his if it is used regularly. But I've seen it on vintage guitars in shops as well. To me it makes it look like a old guitar that also gets used and maintenance.
Gibson will cut as many corners as they can get away with. Can you imagine if Paul Reed Smith would have bought Gibson?
Would he have allowed Relic's? 😂
@@YeatzeeGuitar well sure if enough people want them. He's not stupid. He doesn't have people making his guitars who would otherwise work at McDonalds. I can't believe some of the people Gibson has making their production line guitars. Many dont play guitar. The passion would be the #1 requirement for the job if you are going to be on the line building them. You should have to be into guitar.
Many people want relic prs guitars but he's never offered them.. 🤷♂️
@@YeatzeeGuitar maybe because many old PRS guitars aren't that old and so don't look old plus I don't think he ever used Nitro finish so it would be a new thing for him. If he owned Gibson though he might be more inclined to make them like the old ones and age them. I don't know it was more a thought of doing them right. PRS seems to really do well with quality control. For Gibson's prices there should be much less issues than they have. Nut issues always get me. Finish flaws etc. At least sell them as B stock if they have these issues. The real original Gibson company use to do that.
those other two look like chibson...cutaway not right
Hey, Appreciate the comment! They're definitely real vintage Les Pauls. They're from the Norlin Era, where the body specs were quite different from '50s or modern Les Pauls. Flatter tops, sharper curves, pancake bodies, three piece necks, volutes... the list goes on and on. Definitely a funky era for Gibson but I like them!
@@eldoradoguitars6456 I was just visiting a friend at a shop Saturday and he had a 70s LP custom he was repairing that made the move from Hawaii to Utah and the body is splitting apart at the seam from the pancake style. Gotta love different climates!
@@Stratpack59 Oh man, bummer! I used to live in Arizona: once in Phoenix and once in Tucson. The humidity in the desert is BRUTAL for guitars. The first time I was there, I lived in Tucson and I didn't know how badly it would affect my guitars. Had to get them all repairs for fret sprout. Learned my lesson and when I lived in Phoenix, I bought a HUGE humidifier that kept my guitar and amp room at 55% :)
Another Gibson money grab for rich guys.
🤷♂️