2024 Gibson Murphy Lab Brazilian “59 Les Paul

[CK6]

Hey, I actually just received a brand new 59 reissue Murphy lab ultra light aged in dirty lemon. For context, I have had numerous USA 50s standards and a 1990 classic, so I have played many LPs. I got the CS yesterday and I love the way it looks and the neck feels great, and the light aging is cool. But man it was set up like a dog! The action was quite high and the frets didn’t seem smooth. I have never received a new guitar that played like this. They told me they did a set up but I have a hard time believing them. I took it to my local tech for a total setup. I have 14 days to return it for refund if need be, hopefully it’s just a set up issue and nothing else. Such a disappointment to get This rather expensive guitar and to find it virtually unplayable out of the case! Does this seem like a a bad sign? I know even excellent guitars can play poorly with a bad set up. But for this kind of money I expected more. I compared it to two of my USA standards and my standards play like butter on comparison. Smooth frets, lower action. I’m trying to stay positive. But ultimately at least I can return it if need be.

I would say it’s a set up issue…specifically that the setup isn’t what you’re used to. See how you like it when it comes back from your tech.

 

[Jasonj]

I would say it’s a set up issue…specifically that the setup isn’t what you’re used to. See how you like it when it comes back from your tech.

Yea, I got it back and i am still not liking it. When I asked my tech what he thought of it, he said "i am not impressed". He said he barely got it intonated. He said the pitch of the neck was not great but i do not have that level of analysis, I just know that it is not an easy guitar to play. It's a beauty but I am sending it back tomorrow. I must have just gotten a lemon ( a dirty one at that ), so i will just keep looking. I wish I could play before I purchased but unfortunately there are no great shops anywhere close to me. Luckily there are lots of shops that have 7 to 30 day return policies, so there is no way I will buy one without the option of return. It's crazy, since 2019 I have gotten 2 wildwood USA standards, a slash novemeber burst (just sold on reverb) and another LP standard from Chicago Music Exchange, and all of them played much better out of the box; lower action, smooth frets (with one exception). So, i'll be on the hunt again,

 

[charliechitlins]

How does it sound?

 

[Jasonj]

It’s sounds pretty good but I find it unpleasant to play. It’s strange. It feels like I’m playing a cheap guitar! I don’t know what to make of it but I had my usual guy set it up and it still didn’t work for me, so I’m just gonna keep searching.

 

[ppgf]

used in a sentence.

 

[Jasonj]

used in a sentence.

Holy shred.

 

[57gold]

I am a friend of the OP. He is an electric guitar connoisseur, having introduced me to Bartlett and Gustavsson and Probett, which are all top class small builders of LP style instruments.

He went out of his way to give me a heads up on this series of LPs, the Brazilian board ones like his. Said they were equal to all the small builders and the best from Gibson since 1960, a big statement.

Based on this, I sought one out and played it this week. Have to say that it was the best new build Gibson I have handled...my newest Gibson was made in 1964, and I have owned more than a 20 pre 1964 Gibsons that I scoured the country for, had to be clean, 100% stock and great players.

The 2024 LP Brazilian that I played rang like a bell, acooustically loud, great neck and fretwork, no dead spots, perfect intonation, pitch black BRW board...only thing that I didn't dig was the extensive relic job, OK with checking due to light finish and some frosting on the nickel parts, but the overall beat job and rust on metal parts was too much for me. As an owner of several real 1950s vintage Gibsons, no need for a stage prop, a fake one. But the underlying instrument was a killer LP, every bit as good as my 1957 GT and 1958 BB as a player. A whole lot cheaper than either would be.

 

[modavis99]

I’m going to gig mine tonight. If there are any good pics or videos I’ll post

 

[S. Weiger]

I’m going to gig mine tonight. If there are any good pics or videos I’ll post


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MyGAWD that's an awesome Les Paul.

 

[modavis99]

MyGAWD that's an awesome Les Paul.

Here is a show photo. This is the greatest Les Paul I’ve ever played.





and here is a small clip of video from the bar's live feed:

 

[modavis99]

Daytime shots. Was asked to play the national anthem today at a small fun thing today

 

[ppgf]

Daytime shots. Was asked to play the national anthem today at a small fun thing today


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what’s your finish?

i haven’t played a 6 string burst replica i prefer to mine, btw.

 

[modavis99]

what’s your finish?

i haven’t played a 6 string burst replica i prefer to mine, btw.

I think it is called "Tom's Cherry." Indoors, it has more of a subdued tangerine color at the edges than a bright red.

 

[Red Baron]

It’s strange. It feels like I’m playing a cheap guitar!

The last time I went into a guitar store and played some new reissues I thought exactly the same thing! ...only one stood out and made me feel like I was playing a high quality guitar, and that was a really nice R6.

I find the quality of wood used for the boards seems to be hit and miss lately.

 

[Adonis Chacha]

Yea, I got it back and i am still not liking it. When I asked my tech what he thought of it, he said "i am not impressed". He said he barely got it intonated. He said the pitch of the neck was not great but i do not have that level of analysis, I just know that it is not an easy guitar to play. It's a beauty but I am sending it back tomorrow. I must have just gotten a lemon ( a dirty one at that ), so i will just keep looking. I wish I could play before I purchased but unfortunately there are no great shops anywhere close to me. Luckily there are lots of shops that have 7 to 30 day return policies, so there is no way I will buy one without the option of return. It's crazy, since 2019 I have gotten 2 wildwood USA standards, a slash novemeber burst (just sold on reverb) and another LP standard from Chicago Music Exchange, and all of them played much better out of the box; lower action, smooth frets (with one exception). So, i'll be on the hunt again,

Yah, the online market is a pain in the a$$ when trying to lock something down because yah guitars are such a personal thing, and I’ve always had the best luck in person. Though funny enough the R9 I ultimately locked down was an online purchase lol (after pulling my hair out trying to secure one locally by me, where their was opportunity to play a bunch, but none that made me go 7K wow , finally found one that jumped out at me online and made me roll the dice). Luckily was gorgeous in person and l it played great out of the box (and even better after a setup). Just recently went through a year of trying to lock down a Floyd loaded super strat, and after 3 returns (2 USA esps and an evh; crazy right, even after having them set up properly; evh in particular was totally jacked ), finally came across a custom shop Jackson that really jumped out at me, and decided to roll the dice one more time . Luckily was just a monster right out of the box. Problem is how much the online market is dominating now a days, and being forced to deal with it to get exactly what you want (and sometimes you might not know it’s not right immediately). Luckily like you said, plenty of great shops out their with liberal return policies.

 

[modavis99]

what’s your finish?

i haven’t played a 6 string burst replica i prefer to mine, btw.

I've never owned a replica. I assume you've owned bursts? Or at least played a bunch? In your opinion, how close did Gibson get with this run in terms of feel, cosmetics, everything? I have owned lots of Les Pauls, USA and historics, from 2006 to today and this is the greatest I've ever played. I've only played one burst, a 1960 that CME had in approx 2018 (I've heard there is debate about that as well), and this one reminds of that instrument. I think this one is better.

 

[ppgf]

I've never owned a replica. I assume you've owned bursts? Or at least played a bunch? In your opinion, how close did Gibson get with this run in terms of feel, cosmetics, everything? I have owned lots of Les Pauls, USA and historics, from 2006 to today and this is the greatest I've ever played. I've only played one burst, a 1960 that CME had in approx 2018 (I've heard there is debate about that as well), and this one reminds of that instrument. I think this one is better.

played my first burst when i was in 7th grade. played countless bursts since. a friend lent me a “60 a while back for sessions. i know them well. have owned/operated replicas by max, johan gustavasson (who i met on this forum back in 2001) as well as several of gil yaron’s builds, (thanks @CDaughtry for sending up your first gil for me to experience).

i can’t speak to this entire run but my guitar gives up nothing to the countless replicas and bursts i’ve had in hand.

 

[ppgf]

 

[brandtkronholm]

 

[60thR0]

License to kill indeed