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.
When Gibson hired famed automotive designer Ray Dietrich to create a radical new solid body guitar, rock ‘n roll history ensued. With its offset shape, neck-through construction, and scorching mini-humbuckers, the ’63 Firebird V became an instant classic. The Gibson Custom Shop is proud to present this exacting replica of a vintage original, which uses authentic contours, dimensions and construction methods for an incredible ownership and playing experience. It features Ultra Light Aging by the skilled artisans of the Murphy Lab. The Murphy Lab 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 #: 206613
Weight: 8lbs 5oz
Body Shape: Designer
Body: 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut Neck-Through
Weight Relief: None
Neck: 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut Neck-Through
Profile: Authentic ’63 Medium 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: Aged Cellulose Nitrate Trapezoid
Bridge: ABR-1
Tailpiece: Maestro Vibrola
Knobs: Gold Top Hats with Silver Inserts
Tuners: Deluxe Banjo Tuners
Plating: Nickel; Murphy Lab Light Aged
Neck pickup: Firebird Alnico 5
Bridge pickup: Firebird Alnico 5
Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 500K CTS Potentiometers, Hand-Wired Harness
Case: Custom Shop Hardshell