We reverse-engineered the original formula of nitrocellulose lacquer used in the 1950s and 1960s. With Tom Murphy’s proprietary aging techniques, this brittle lacquer checks beneath the surface for a vintage look and feel.

Murphy Lab artisans gently age each knob and component to simulate years of play wear, matching the worn body to create the look and feel of a well-traveled instrument — that works like new.

Wear on the neck, where the neck would be worn. The back of the body scraped bare where a belt buckle would bump. Your Murphy Lab Gibson will look like an heirloom from the moment you open the case.

Gibson Custom Shop’s exclusive Murphy Lab lacquer and thermally aged tops enhance the resonance and tone of our acoustic models while Murphy Lab Light Aging treatment provides the played-in feel and look of a vintage guitar, with softened edges throughout.

Like a prized possession that has spent most of its long life stored carefully in its case. Murphy Lab artisans apply the most subtle touches such as minimal lacquer checking, Vintage Original Sheen (VOS) hardware, and hand-rolled fingerboard binding.

Simulates fifty years of average play wear, a favorite guitar that rarely left the comforts of home. More intense lacquer checking patterns, unique to each instrument, are accompanied by light dings, pick trails, finish flaking, and softened edges throughout. Paired with Vintage Original Sheen (VOS) hardware and hand-rolled fingerboard binding.

This baby’s been out on the road — for decades, it seems. Significant wear and tear, lots of buckle rash, light arm wear, neck wear, peghead face wear, and prominent checking patterns throughout. Paired with Murphy Lab Heavy Aged hardware and hand-rolled fingerboard binding.

Like the old favorite your hero has performed with for decades. Our artisans evoke half a century of touring mileage, with major buckle rash, heavy arm wear, visible pick, neck, and peghead face wear, and areas of exposed wood.
 Paired with Murphy Lab Heavy Aged hardware and hand-rolled fingerboard binding.

Luthiers at our Gibson Acoustic craftory in Bozeman, Montana, applied Murphy Lab Light Aging to five classic models. With thermally aged tonewood tops and lightly aged hardware, these beautifully simulate decades of light play wear, giving them the unique character, vibe, and feel of vintage originals.