Interview with Tom Murphy of Gibson's Murphy Lab
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- Опубликовано: 11 июл 2024
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Sweetwater‘s Mitch Gallagher got a chance to sit with the man behind Gibson‘s incredible Murphy Lab instruments, Tom Murphy, for a deep discussion surrounding his instrument aging process, Tom‘s early days in the industry, the axes that inspired him, and so much more. Check it out!
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Tom Murphy is one of those people that gets it. The craftsmanship, the playing, the sheer love of guitar, all of it serves as his inspiration. Make sure you subscribe for more!
i want the Firebird plz
This man is an amazing artisan, a salt of the Earth guy, and these new Murphy Lab instruments are amazing in-hand.
The blue jeans analogy is really brilliant. I think it helps people understand it, even those who hate relic/aged guitars. A pair of brand new blue jeans can look TOO blue and they can feel hard and stiff. Makes sense that they have distressed and faded jeans for a better feel and appearance, and some people just like it to a really high level.
To me the extra light aged seems perfect. Brand new Les Paul’s seem almost too shiny and pristine where they almost remind me of a plastic toy.
Funny, I was thinking jeans too. Only, I was thinking it's silly to pay someone to wear them out instead of wearing them until they just get that way. Skipping the break-in period would be nice, I guess I was skipping to the "heavy aged" examples. Haha
Yeah, you want the Japanese denim too, and don't wash them ever! Just put them in the freezer for awhile, it kills the odor! Lol... No joke. Well it is kind of a joke, I learned it from a comedian in LA..
To all the people whining, if you don't like it, don't buy it. They are selling plenty.
To all the people whining about people whining, go buy one. World keeps on spinning and nobody cares. See how that works?
@@gmmakesmehurl Yep. I bought two already :)
Read more …
Don’t be a whiner …
Ba a winner!
✌🏻😂
And here I've been fanatical about keeping my guitars looking like new.
I’m so grateful for this interview! I have wanted to see something like this since I bought my ‘59. The Murphy lab guitars are unbelievable.
I know Tom personally.... such a down to earth guy....his knowledge and expertise is fantastic! Love this guy!
Thanks for the interview!
I give they guy credit...He is an artist, a true artist. It's easy to "distress" a guitar, but it's hard to "distress" a guitar, and make it look natural. I'd rather my guitars age naturally, but if you're in the market for a relic job, these are top of the line. I think Fender does a good job too, I just wish Fender would make all of their American series guitars in a lacquer finish instead of just the vintage reissues.
Great job. I grew up with Tommy and his whole family. Very good people and friend. Tommy found a niche and any haters out there don’t understand what passion and commitment is. Way to go Tommy!
Legend! 👍🏻🙏🏻 That lemon burst on the wall is a killer. I wish, I could. Great interview
Great interview, Mitch! Thanks for your time, Tom. This is the first interview I've seen of Tom and Mitch asked the right questions. Now, I appreciate what Tom has done even more.
Judging by the comments I think people are missing the point. This might not be for everyone but it is for some. However you have to appreciate the craftsmanship and dedication that goes into reproducing a vintage look and feel. Everyone complains that too much labor is outsourced oversees well here you go a perfect example of American expert labor dedicated to quality.
Attention to detail and dedication to quality can be focused in much more meaningful things such as accuracy of body shapes (ie SG) and making guitars that are of a high quality as they were in the 60s and even in the 70s too.
Agree 100% ! Any craftsmanship work done here stateside is a blessing for our US economy and shouldn't be attacked by angry curmudgeans whom can't wrap their heads around a simple "aged" finish option. I dotn care how much these false aged guitars cost,.becuase compared to the real thing, they are a steal. An actual late 50s Gibsons will cost well north of a $100,000 and the most expensive Murphys Labs guitars will cost just shy of a 5th of that or even less. Simple economics explains this for once those ecomnics are in Americas favor an people have the audacity to complain??
@@terryshrk
I completely agree with you. I also love that you included the word “option” in your comment. If an aged instrument is not for you stop acting like those are the only guitars companies are making now. Just move along to the shiny, pristine new ones and take your pick it will even be less expensive.
Evidently you haven’t checked Gibsons quality lately. It is horrendous to say the least. Especially in their finishing department. Harmony guitars have better standards than Gibson, that’s sad.
I could listen to this conversation for hours. Such a wonderful passion for guitars. Have to get me one of the Murphy Lab guitars.
Why?
I love this interview! I really enjoy hearing Tom talk about... well, just about anything at all. And that accent of his makes it even more enjoyable to listen to. Great interview, y'all!
Great interview! Thank you, Mitch and Tom. So informative!
Interesting interview with the legendary namesake. Tom Murphy is a true artist. Thanks!
I would love a Murphy Lab aged guitar! I won't be picky, Sweetwater can send me any one they want to spare! I love them all!
Hey it’s Tom Murphy he’s a ground breaker. Started this whole industry in regards to aging. He’s an icon 😊
I did a relic job on my 70" T.V. by tossing it down my steps. Turned out pretty good. #STOPIT
This is a great interview! I admire Tom's passion about guitars and how the Murph Lab came to be. My takeaway from the whole objective is when you buy a Murphy Lab guitar, you are buying it for the *vintage finish and also the art of sensible aging process. If skill and money will eventually be in my favor I'll definitely grab an Ultra Lite Aged so I can age it myself in a shorter. Gibson surely made a great discovery on Murphy Lab division.
I'm from the south. Dude seems like a good ole boy. Classic type of dude around here. A real gem.
I'd love to get a job working in the Lab, that would be so cool. Thanks for the video, great job!
I played many gigs with Tom in Southern Illinois. Great guy and fantastic musician.
When was he in Southern IL? I lived there in '78-'82
I was in Southern Illinois from 2004-2012 and he was there at that time.@@santellavision
Way fun video and ohhh how those Mesas look good surroundin the Room 😍🎶
Hats off!
Very nice to watch that because I own a Custom Shop '58 Historic in what I would call a heavy VOS. The pickguard was scratched up and slightly aged, dents here and there, nickel plating aged etc. and the guitar was brand new. Finish scratches on the back and swirl marks. They did such a nice job and it isn't even a Murphy Labs aged Gibson. Got a '59 VOS and a '60 VOS and they didn't have anywhere near as much "wear" look. They do these right ... each guitar seems different.
Tools to create your own “Murphy Lab”: printer, template print out of checking areas and patterns, exacto knife, compressed air can, heat and cold blower (blow dryer), steel wool scrubber, sandpaper, refrigerator big enough to fit a guitar, belt buckle, screwdriver for screws and hitting the body of the guitar, Tupperware, muriatic acid….pretty much set.
Great interview!!
Thank you for watching, Donald! 😊👊
Thank you Sweetwater for this interview. This interview was great and informative. Thank God for Tom Murphy!
Great guy called him out of the blue years ago to discuss a limited run 92 Les Paul he painted. He didn’t know me from Adam. He talked to me for a half hour easy. Couldn’t believe how much he remembered about a limited run of 20 guitars from decades back. Class & one of a kind guy.
The very best Les Paul in 2021 the Epiphone les Paul Custom Koa nothing out there in 2021 that was better including Gibson the 2021 Epiphone Custom Les Paul Koa will go way up in Value through the years that's for sure it's very high end and Era correct the craftsmanship is remarkable
Epiphone Les Paul Custom Koa the very best Les Paul in 2021 no doubt
That was great to listen to! Love hearing about all the stuff they do. That said, I prefer my guitar to look nice and not have checked finish and scratches and gouges, but that is just me.
Cool stuff. I have a 2016 Les Paul Traditional and it now looks like a VOS custom shop Les Paul. Hopefully have many more years of gigs left to be played on it. Now my original 1961 Les Paul Jr is beyond the ultra heavy category but it's an amazing guitar
The absolute best on the market....period. and now they own mesa...wow. so cool to see mesa amps around gibsons.
Great interview.. not much for relicing myself but still, this was very interesting.
I love Gibsons! The way they sound, the way they look. I’ve always wanted to know everything about them and love to talk about them for hours with my guitarist buddies.
But I play bass...
Isn’t it a shame that Gibson never was able to conceive a bass guitar that’s both practical and beautiful..? Ever!
They had a few great ideas, like the pickups on the first T-birds and on the Ripper, Grabber G3’s. But that’s about it...
it's great when your guitar sounds awesome when it's not plugged in
I just got my first Gibson les paul standard from the Gibson garage and tuned it up hit a chord and the sound was bad ass and rang forever I don't have to plug in to enjoy it.
The old adage about... do you need it?..or do you just want it?.. I definitely want one some day.. like many others mentioned Tom Murphy really is a true artist.. Personally i would go ultra light and me and time will do the rest ☺️.. Always enjoy Mitch's videos.
Tom was great in "The Waterboy"
LOL Farmer Fran?
@@nathanielvargas3863 I can't "not" think of Farmer Fran every time I look at him lol
Currently waiting for my 57 LP Custom Murphy Lab to arrive 😁
Very interesting.
I'd like to get one of those soon...
I find it fascinating that guitar finishes have finally reached a level to that of violins: it would be hard to find a ‘new’ professional level instrument that wasn’t ‘aged’ going back to the mid-1800s.
Your comment is right on. There are NO old violins that are mint/shiny that sound GREAT. The worn and aged ones actually sound best.
These guitars are really cool.yes I like my new les paul.because it's new and it's shiny.l just love guitars in general.but what Tom does is really cool down to specs and all.if you really want a 59 les paul but can't afford it.his craftsmanship can get you as close as your going to get.now that is a true craftsman to me.kudos Mr. Murphy.i find your guitars quite stunning myself.thanks
Helps the wood breath and resonates the way it should without all the paint covering the wood
I bought a 2014 Les Paul AAA flame top from Sam Ash in Nevada.
It arrived at my home here in Maine in pristine condition and within
2 weeks the entire finish essentially shattered with checking on every
square inch of the instrument. At first I freaked out but now I play it
in a completely different manner all because it is no longer pristine.
Extreme change in humidity probably.
Most people are getting guitars with finish flaking off completely. It’s been an issue for years now.
@@lookingbehind6335 Murphy lab or Gibson USA?
I had that happen with a Fender Lead I way back when. We he had an extreme cold snap and I had forgotten it and left it our equipment trailer. When I remembered it, I brought it in to well heated and humidified house. The finish was likewise ~shattered all over.
Love the blue jeans analogy toward the end as that’s one I always use when “explaining” relics. I’m curious if the standard Gibson Custom Shop finishes have a similar level of thin finish and that potential for natural wear as the Murphy Labs?
I just bought a CS VOS ‘64 ES-335. It doesn’t have checking but it looks and feels like new old stock. It stands for “vintage original spec”. It really just seems like they knock a little shine out of the finish. I love it.
Need a follow up video for that LP custom
I could never justify buying an “aged” guitar when I can buy a brand new one, keep it and play it for years and have my own personalized aged guitar.
But these have “special” scratches.... haha jk.. It is definitely a peculiar niche in the guitar world... I think it totally makes sense if you have an old worn but cherished guitar and you break the headstock on it and want a replacement that looks like the rest of the body, but paying for extreme aging seems a bit odd... The other thing is most of these techniques are for nitro finish guitars. I think it would make more sense to apply some wear to poly finish because they just look too damn glossy. Nitro at least wears nicely over time...
Yeah what a joke
I used to say the same thing until I played a reliced guitar. It's not just aesthetics; a well-executed relic feels like an old guitar. No sharp fingerboard edges, no sticky neck finish, smooth surfaces where your body contacts the guitar. Plus, you don't feel as bad when you inevitably whack your expensive instrument into a mic stand 🤣
Good for u .. most people don’t have that much time to do it that way
Wayne B, I understand your point. The way I see it is that I'll never be able to buy a real '57 Black Beauty obviuosly as they're about 80 grand, that's in aged condition, not mint. So, if I want to own a '57 Black Beauty, I'll only pay around 8 or 9 grand, still feel the 'age'-the worn lacquer, 'aged' parts, worn neck and the solid mahogany body, plus an aged case. Also, Tom is a legend at his art and having one of his Lab guitars will just increase in value, as well.
Is the VOS finish the same as what is used in the ML products? In-other-words, is it expected that it will check sooner than a non-ML product?
Now I’m scared to play my ultra light aged 59. Lol. It’s so beautiful. The top is simply amazing.
Do the custom shop 59 reissues have the same finish as the Murphy Lab 59’s?
Are the Murphy lab guitars completely build separate, or is it a custom shop with a different finish?
My 78 aria pro 2 les Paul copy has a lab finish it took me 35 years to get it there .
never got the relic thing.
if you want it worn in..then play it
Paint and laquer is different. And thick layer too. That doesn't work.
Yay, if your Slash and play hard and heavy for 300 gigs a year then you will have a nice aged guitar. I did buy a used LP with a faded finish from a dude that after 12 years in a bar band had some nice play wear. That was one guitar played four times a week that took 12 years to age and it had a thin faded nitro finish. Mine don’t seem to age?
Mitch, what is the price on your new guitar? It is beautiful...
Big collector here, But I will never understand why anyone would pay more for flaws in the paint and chips in the paint. Insanity!
That dirty lemon in the middle on the wall is calling me!😝
It should be renamed "Only for the Rich" not Murphy lab
Actually it's the other way, this is the poor man's way of getting anywhere close to a real vintage gibson
@@kmatax9237 20,000 and up really what poor man are you talking about
@@waynegram8907 lol, not me, thats for sure but how much is the real thing, know what i mean?
@@waynegram8907 and sadly, for that money, these are most likely never gonna be played .. just passed around on reverb with a hefty price bump every time...
@Ken Severo gibson is great. Murphy labs, na
Wonder when he will be doing it to a eds 12-75
I don't know if this guy does it this way, but i've seen plenty of people get the "checking" by using keyboard duster, and a hairdryer. Hold the can upside down, and it sprays a frost on the finish, the you immediately heat it with a hairdryer, and repeat.
Mr. Murphy is so way cool. Good interview. Great Gibson guitars that are played are Joe Bonamassa's claim to fame. 😀I knew some blue guitars looked green to me...now I know it's the lacquer....
His tools remind me of a foley artist. In the best way!
I don't think I'd buy a heavy relic but the light aged ones are perfect.
Not a fan of relics, but his bursts are amazing
Answers a question, indirectly but there was a great Luthier in Kalamazoo upstairs from the Sound Factory music store back in the 70's with the same name, Tom Murphy. Always assumed the man here must have been the son or descendant thereof. From hearing what was said (or not said) here, it would seem the name likeness was a just a coincidence.
That FIREBIRD TOTALLY LOOKS LIKE THE REAL DEAL!
I want that black jr. Lightly to no aging tho
Im curious as to what will happen to these aged guitars when they really are old?
When I buy a New guitar, I want it to shine and glisten. Any wear will come from what happens to it when owning it.
I'll take that Frost Blue Bird sitting to Tom's right and run to the hills.😍😍🥰🥰🥰😍😍🇺🇸💪
Playing classical recitals, wear white tee and a black mock turtleneck rather than a tux and shirt with french cuffs. Always unbutton and roll sleeves when dress code is enforced. All my electrics show no wear save for top pick wear and fingers on neck/frets/fingerboard. I always thought that guitarists sought to preserve that minty, factory fresh condition. Always clean strings, wipe down guitar and detune after playing. This episode was educational.
I think the guitar gods simply want me to be poor. I finally got a Gibson Les Paul standard 50's in 2019, but at the same time, they came out with the Murphy lab. I also never knew of R9's until getting my standard, now if I buy an R9, I won't have any $ left to buy myself socks at Christmas time.
Socks are overrated, anyways! 😉
We've yet to see a Snowy White Les Paul finish.
The whole aging of a guitar, although cool, is such a money swindle. I bought a 2021 Gibson Les Paul Standard in Bourbon burst for £2300, and I love it. The fact that it's a brand new guitar means that any scratch or ding is going to reduce the value, not that I'm going to sell it. But if I were to, someones going to want a discount compared to it's RRP because of the wear. Now if you spent £10,000 on a new Murphy Lab '59 with heavy aging and that picks up some scratches and dings, how could a potential buyer be able to tell that? You could so get away with saying it came from the factory with that ding. And there lies the swindle to get more from your guitar on the used market.
how are these guitars gonna look 50 years down the line when they have aged naturally along with the artificial aging?
I appreciate making guitars play and sound better using various aging techniques, but the "dings" done to simulate abusive use are nonsensical to my mind.
If I had the means I would buy a Murphy Lab '59 Les Paul Standard.
i rly liked how the guy didnt talk over tom
It was torture to watch those two in front of such a line up of amazing guitars and not have anyone play! Should have had current artists on the guitars in between segments!
I’d like a relic’d Tokai or Epiphone Sheraton. The prices aren’t so crazy where it would bother me to purposely age a Gibson
The checking is probably done with freezing/ thawing too quickly.
Thanks Mr. Obvious....
One day collectors will wonder how artificially aged guitars was a viable gimmick. Just make high quality guitars, use them with love and care, and value those same guitars as they age naturally. What the rest of us call player grade guitars.
I wonder why people do not adress the fact that gibson murphy labs have the wrong size script on the headstock. Mesurements don't lie!
This guy IS legit....im'a be hunting one of these
Yeah, i could pay for my own funeral with one of these.
Let guitars age naturally I'm not impressed with artificial aging of guitars
They use new wood and the guitars are new guitars. They don’t sound better. This is such phony bs. Do they have a guy rubbing his belt buckle against the guitar?
@@rickjason215 Gibson has been full of BS for decades this is why they can't win any lawsuits...les Paul actually invented his solid body guitar AKA the Log in 1941 in the Epiphone factory not Gibson 10 years before Les Paul even gave Gibson a thought and he continued to stay with Epiphone he was with Epiphone from 1940 until his death in August 2009 long before he joined Gibson...maybe someday Gibson will win a lawsuit for something they actually invented but I doubt it
I have a light-aged Murphy Lab Les Paul, and it's an incredible guitar. But I will never understand the heavily aged ones with huge chunks of missing finish. It's not honest wear!
A fantastic collection of Gibson Guitars my one and only Guitar I’ve played for decades. I honestly don’t know if I can play any other brand !!! Honestly
Not even a Martin?
@@vedder10
If you are referring to Acoustic guitars its a different story I never owned a Martin which is the pinnacle of Acoustic guitars I have one TACOMA CHIEF C1 Acoustic guitar and an Epiphone which I like very much. But a Martin is high on my wish list. As for Electric it’s always been a Gibson Les Paul SG and the Great Gibson Sonex 180 Custom Series of 1980
@@vedder10
Who needs a Martin when Gibson makes acoustic guitars, too?
I’d rather have a shiny new guitar, thank you. Anytime I saw a beat up guitar I would pass on buying it, and look down my nose at it’s abuser. I HATE the relic FAD - and it is a passing FAD.
Fender did their first relic around 1995....they make more than ever now....
Go figure....
I buy the worn used ones because I know they are good if they’ve been played a lot. Especially if the lacquer is worn off the neck from play. Gots to check m over first and peek at the truss rod before you buy.
@@benlogan430 Honest playing wear is a good thing. It shows that the guitar has been used for its intended purpose and the instrument will often sound and play better than a new model because of the constant attention that it has received to keep it in good playing condition. A relic’d guitar is an artificial construct to create a false narrative about a new instrument to make people think that it has accumulated honest playing wear when it has not. I will never understand paying a premium to have someone intentionally inflict damage and neglect on a new guitar. It serves no useful purpose other than to make money for the individuals who have made musical instrument destruction into a business model. Imagine doing the same thing with new cars to see how idiotic this practice is.
@@jts3339
Call it what you want, but I bet you can’t name another “FAD” that has lasted 27 years.
@@charlesbolton8471 Tattoos and piercings are fads that will eventually pass, just like guitar relic’ing. In one fad a human being is used as a “canvas” for “artists” to permanently deface. In another fad a guitar is defaced to replicate the honest wear of an instrument that has been extensively played or abused, depending on the degree of destruction desired by the owner. Both are personal preferences and passing fads. I prefer my guitars unmolested by idiots with ice picks and my women with skin free of ink.
This is pure nonsense. Making a guitar look old, doesn’t age the wood or make it sound better. You want to make old guitars, use old wood. “Realism”? It is pure fake.
First
Hmm.. I got a Light Aged ML `59. NONE of the hardware was aged even though the photo's showed some aging. It was like someone had doctored the photos. This was a light aged, Not ultra Light aged.. It is, however an Amazing guitar!
If you’ve ever had vintage gear then you’d have a better understanding of how cool this Lab idea is. Old instruments have issues and are even more expensive than these guitars. And if you fix or improve the instrument for playability then you’ve just killed it’s vintage resale value.
I would like to see a tom purphy agreed guitar next to a real artist's actual guitar that the replicated. I would like to see how good his work is. I think that would be neat.
100%crrct
Success? People should google “Murphy Lab guitars finish falling off” hahaha
I picked up a '59 in my local store when these first came out, the finish was just falling off. looked terrible. I know exactly what you are referring too!
Ratio’d
I can easily spot a murphy aged guitar among real vintage guitars.
👀 likey