Gibson has forever engraved its name in the hall of fame of guitar, from jazz to rock, blues and metal. Founded in 1894 by Orville H. Gibson in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA, the company has revolutionized the guitar world with technical and aesthetic innovations such as the humbuckers or the Flying V, Explorer and Firebird shapes. With ambassadors like Charlie Christian and Slash, or Tommi Iommi and, of course, Lester Polfus, Gibson crosses the ages and musical styles, and stands out as a must-have brand of guitar, both electric and acoustic.
Tom Murphy and his team build each Murphy Lab guitar at the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, Tennessee using advanced tools and traditional finishing techniques. Each piece is handcrafted and aged to create the most authentic vintage impression possible. The result is a characterful, resonant and playable instrument that evokes the look and feel of a well-worn classic.
Some guitars you play. Others you remember. The J-45 '42 Murphy Lab Light Aged is both. A faithful reissue of the original 1942 model that helped define the American acoustic sound, this instrument is built at Gibson’s Custom Shop in Bozeman and tastefully aged by the Murphy Lab. This is no visual gimmick. It is a professional-grade guitar with serious tone and presence.
The thermally aged Adirondack spruce top gives it fast attack, complex overtones and natural sustain. The solid mahogany back and sides round out the tone with warmth, focus and balance. The slope shoulder dreadnought body delivers powerful projection and even response across the spectrum. Tight lows. Rich mids. Clear highs.
The neck is a direct reference to the 1940s. Thick historic V-profile, but comfortable and responsive. The dark rosewood fingerboard features mother-of-pearl inlays, a 12 inch radius and 1.72 inch nut width. The short 24.75 inch scale feels smooth and immediately playable. The finish is hand-applied nitrocellulose lacquer, lightly aged to simulate years of careful use. Light checking, aged open-gear tuners, cream binding and a classic rosette complete the look without excess.
The scalloped X-bracing is hot hide glued, as it was in 1942. Every vibration is transmitted with detail and authority. It responds to fingerstyle with ease, and opens up beautifully under a strong strumming hand. The tone is grounded, dynamic and unmistakably vintage. Delivered with its Gibson Custom Shop hard case, certificate of authenticity and polishing cloth. This is not a whim. It is a long-term musical investment. Built to be played, admired and kept.
2-year warranty from our workshop.
