The Murphy Lab Collection Has Expanded to Include Historic Flat-Top Acoustic Models!

Not only has Gibson expanded its Murphy Lab Collection to include five new Gibson Montana acoustic guitars—but, it has now also officially established a brand new Custom Shop Murphy Lab Division within the Gibson Montana factory, staffed by a specialized crew of builders and artisans all personally trained by the man himself!

Combining traditional instrument-making techniques, innovative methods, and meticulous attention to detail, the Gibson Custom Shop has continued crafting instruments worthy of the brand’s Banner-era slogan, “Only a Gibson is Good Enough,” since 1993. Having established the Murphy Lab Division within the Nashville Custom Shop in 2017, now—over 30 years after Tom Murphy first embarked upon decades of research and experimentation for the brand's Custom, Art, and Historic Division—Gibson has expanded the Murphy Lab Division with the foundation of a whole new facility!

All of the acoustic guitar models added to the Gibson Custom Murphy Lab Collection for 2023 feature the Light Aging treatment applied by Murphy Lab’s skilled artisans, carefully paired with lightly aged hardware to simulate decades of light play wear, giving it the unique character, vibe, and feel of an original example from the Gibson Golden Era.

1933 L-00 Ebony Light Aged

The Ideal Small Bodied Acoustic

Developed in the early 30s, the L-00’s unparalleled projection not found in comparable small-bodied guitars and balanced tonality made it an industry standard for many years after its release, and vintage models still remain popular among guitar collectors today. The Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1933 L-00 Ebony model achieves all the advantages of an acoustic that is comfortable to play in your home while still producing Gibson’s characteristic rich, full sound that made it one of Gibson’s most iconic models.

1942 Banner Southern Jumbo Vintage Sunburst Light Aged

The Look, Feel, and Sound of a Lightly Played Vintage SJ

Boasting a thermally aged Adirondack red spruce top and rosewood back and sides, the Custom Shop Murphy Lab 1942 Banner Southern Jumbo delivers outstanding tonal response and superior playability. Proudly displaying the "Only a Gibson is Good Enough" banner on the headstock, these versatile custom instruments also include an open slot bridge, a bone saddle and nut, and the classic 1.77" nut width.

1942 Banner J-45 Vintage Sunburst Light Aged

The Original Slope-Shouldered Gibson Dreadnought

Inspired by the holy grail of vintage acoustic instruments, Gibson luthiers in Montana meticulously crafted the new 1942 Banner J-45 models to look, feel, and sound just like the most popular and celebrated version, both in structure and components used. Featuring a Thermally Aged Adirondack red spruce top hand-sprayed with a historic-style burst, hot hide glue top bracing for better tonal response, and a bone nut and saddle, the allure and legend of the Gibson J-45 continues to live on in the new Murphy Lab 1942 Banner J-45 models.
All of the acoustic guitar models added to the Gibson Custom Murphy Lab Collection for 2023 feature the Light Aging treatment applied by Murphy Lab’s skilled artisans, carefully paired with lightly aged hardware to simulate decades of light play wear, giving it the unique character, vibe, and feel of an original example from the Gibson Golden Era.

1957 SJ-200 Vintage Sunburst Light Aged

The Famous “King of the Flat-tops” Fifties Jumbo

Built using hand-selected maple for the back and sides, era-correct appointments, including a headstock stinger, plus a thermally aged top for the full vintage tonal effect, the new Custom Shop 1957 SJ-200 offers the vibe and feel of the era in which some of the most prized vintage Gibson acoustic guitars were born.

1960 Hummingbird Heritage Cherry Sunburst Light Aged

The Original Square-Shouldered Gibson Dreadnought

Introduced in 1960 as Gibson's first square-shouldered acoustic guitar model, the Hummingbird came at the dawn of a new musical era and was rapidly embraced by some of the prime movers in the early ‘60s music scene. Built with a thermally aged Sitka spruce top, the 1960 Hummingbird reflects the appearance and performance of those early, now-iconic vintage Hummingbird guitars.

Call CME chat us online (or in the CME mobile app), or visit CME’s Acoustic Room today for a chance to get your hands on any of these new acoustic additions to the Gibson Custom Murphy Lab Collection guitars at Chicago Music Exchange!

SHOP GIBSON

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