Gibson Custom Shop’s new Murphy Lab has one purpose: to take expert aging artist Tom Murphy’s proprietary techniques to the next level. Here, Tom and his personally trained team of artists use cutting-edge technology and Tom’s own processes, developed over years of careful testing, to produce perfect replicas of golden-age Gibsons, each dressed with Tom’s brand of authentic, hand-applied playwear, and scientifically reverse-engineered nitrocellulose lacquer, identical to that which the brand used in the 1950s and 1960s. Each Murphy Lab model corresponds to one of four distinct aging levels and features extra-rolled fingerboard binding for a broken-in feel and true-to-life look.
The last year of the “Les Paul” moniker on the SG Custom was also the first year of the Maestro Vibrola…1963. Gibson Custom Shop has proudly recreated this desirable version of the SG Custom down to the original construction methods and
contours. The result is a beautiful, versatile and tremendous-sounding instrument that plays effortlessly. The solid Ebony fingerboard and revamped vintage-style electronics help it attain new sonic heights with clarity and sustain. From the dimensions to the contours to the precise inlay patterns to the sonic experience, it’s the top of the line SG in every respect! It features Ultra Light Aging by the skilled artisans of the Murphy Lab. The Murphy Lab Ultra Light Aged finish treatment, paired with lightly aged hardware, simulates decades of light play wear, giving it the unique character, vibe, and feel of an original example from the Gibson Golden Era.
Serial #: 000501
Weight: 8lbs 1.2oz
Body Shape: SG
Body: 1-Piece Solid Mahogany
Weight Relief: None
Neck: Solid Mahogany
Profile: 1960 SlimTaper
Nut width: 1.687″ / 42.85mm
Fingerboard: Solid Ebony
Scale length: 24.75″ / 628.65mm
Number of frets: 22
Nut: Nylon
Inlay: Mother of Pearl Block
Bridge: ABR-1
Tailpiece: Long Maestro Vibrola
Knobs: Black Top Hats with Gold Inserts
Tuners: Grover Kidney
Plating: Gold; Murphy Lab Light Aged
Neck pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Middle pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Bridge pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Black Beauty Capacitors
Case: Custom Shop Hardshell