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.
Legend has it that the famous “TV Yellow” color of the Les Paul™ Special was named for its vivid appearance on black & white televisions in the 1950s. That’s debatable. What’s not up for debate is the indelible imprint this model had on music history since its inception. The classy looks and thick, meaty tones of the Les Paul Special have been preferred by players of all genres. And this 1957 Les Paul Special Reissue from the Gibson Custom Shop revives every single feature in spectacular detail for the ultimate vintage ownership experience — from the solid mahogany construction to the roaring P-90s. It also 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 #: 721310
Weight: 7 lbs 10 oz
Body Shape: Les Paul
Body: 1-Piece Solid Mahogany
Weight Relief: None
Binding: Fingerboard 1-Ply Cream
Neck: Solid Mahogany
Profile: Chunky C-Shape
Nut width: 1.687″ / 42.85mm
Fingerboard: Indian Rosewood, Hide Glue Fit
Scale length: 24.75″ / 628.65mm
Number of frets: 22
Nut: Nylon
Inlay: Celluloid Dot
Tailpiece: Wraparound
Knobs: Black Top Hats
Tuners: Kluson Strip with White Buttons
Plating: Nickel; Murphy Lab Light Aged
Neck pickup: Custom Soapbar P-90
Bridge pickup: Custom Soapbar P-90
Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-inOil Capacitors
Case: Brown/Pink Lifton Reissue 5-Latch