Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Labs 59 Les Paul Std Hvy Aged Golden Poppy Burst
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Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Labs 59 Les Paul
Heavy Aged Golden Poppy Burst
The Holy Grail
Gibson Custom Shop’s 1959 Les Paul™ Standard Reissue is not just a tribute to the priceless original models — it’s a clone of them. From laser-scanned dimensions to chemically-recreated plastics to color-matched shades of sunburst, every element has been rendered in unbelievable detail. It represents the culmination of decades of work by Custom Shop’s expert team — a tireless quest to bring accuracy and authenticity to the hands of fans. It’s the definition of cool, and it’s the best representation of the 1959 Les Paul Standard since the Gibson Custom Shop began making Historic Reissues over twenty-five years ago. It features Heavy Aging by the skilled artisans of the Murphy Lab. The Murphy Lab Heavy Aged finish treatment, paired with heavily aged hardware, simulates decades of heavy play wear, giving it the unique character, vibe, and feel of an original example from the Gibson Golden Era.
Guitar Weight: Only 3.82Kg
| Neck | Body | Hardware | Electronics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material: Solid Mahogany | Shape: Les Paul | Finish: Nickel; Murphy Lab Heavy Aged | Neck Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted) |
| Profile: Authentic ’59 Medium C-Shape | Top: 2-Piece Figured Maple, Hide Glue Fit | Tuner Plating: Nickel | Bridge Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted) |
| Scale Length: 24.75″ | Back: 1-Piece Lightweight Mahogany | Bridge: ABR-1 | Accessories: Certificate of Authenticity, etc. |
| Fingerboard Material: Indian Rosewood, Hide Glue Fit | Saddle Material: Nickel-plated Brass | ||
| Fingerboard Radius: 12″ | Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar | ||
| Number Of Frets: 22 | Tuning Machines: Kluson Single Line, Single Ring | ||
| Frets: Authentic Medium-Jumbo | Pickguard: Laminated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate | ||
| Nut Material: Nylon | TrussRod: Authentic 1950s No-Tube | ||
| Nut Width: 1.687″ | Truss Rod Cover: Authentic Stepped 2-Ply | ||
| End of Board Width: 2.24″ | Control Knobs: Gold Butyrate Top Hats | ||
| Inlays: Cellulose Nitrate Trapezoid | Switch Tip: Amber Catalin | ||
| Joint: Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit | Switchwasher: Replica Cellulose Acetate Butyrate | ||
| Jack Plate Cover: Laminated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate | |||
| Control Covers: Black Royalite | |||
| Strap Buttons: Aluminum | |||
| Mounting Rings: M69 Cellulose Acetate Butyrate | |||
| Pickup Covers: Authentic Profile Nickel Silver |
What is Murphy Lab Aged?
Gibson Murphy Lab Aging is a proprietary process used by Gibson to artificially age its guitars and create a vintage look and feel. The process is named after Tom Murphy, who was the first person to develop the aging techniques used by Gibson.
The Murphy Lab Aging process involves various techniques, such as hand-sanding, staining, and distressing, that simulate the natural wear and tear that a vintage guitar would experience over time. The process can take several weeks to complete, and it is performed by highly skilled craftsmen at Gibson’s Custom Shop.
During the aging process, the Gibson Murphy Lab team carefully replicates the signs of aging that are commonly found on vintage guitars, such as finish checking, rusted hardware, and faded color. The aging leaves the finish much softer yet more brittle resulting is a guitar that looks and feels like a vintage instrument, with a worn-in feel and a unique character that will continue to age as the guitar does.
Murphy Labs aged finishes will continue to age and wear easily as you play and use the guitar creating an even more unique instrument
“Like an old finish, it isn’t very durable. It’s not for everybody but it is awesome for ageing. Not only does it enhance the checking, when we’re chipping it to create buckle rash it responds like an old finish. When I first saw it happen I was really excited, and I still am today. So, I don’t have to do art any more, I can now do craft.” – Tom Murphy
| Ultra Light | Light | Heavy | Ultra Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
The Finish
| Checked Finish Gibson scientifically reverse-engineered the original formula of nitrocellulose lacquer used in the 1950s and 1960s. Combined with Tom’s proprietary aging techniques, this brittle lacquer checks beneath the surface for an authentic vintage look and feel. | |
| Hardware Patina 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. | |
| Murphy Mileage 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. |
Nitro
| One of the most distinctive features of aged nitrocellulose lacquer is the checking or cracking that can occur in the finish. This is caused by the contraction and expansion of the wood underneath the finish due to changes in temperature and humidity. As the wood expands and contracts, the lacquer finish is unable to keep up, and it begins to crack in a beautiful natural way. The checking pattern on a guitar is unique to each instrument and can be the defining characteristic of a guitar. It’s worth noting that while checking is seen as a desirable feature, with extra aging and playing, it can cause the finish to flake off entirely creating wear that is unique to your instrument based on how you play it. The proprietary Murphy Labs Aging process has given your instrument a head start in its natural aging process |
What’s special about each year?
The Gibson Les Paul guitars produced between 1956 and 1960 are often referred to as the “Golden Era” of Les Paul production. Each year brought some changes and differences in features, specs, and finishes. Here are some of the notable differences:
1956P-90 pickups (single coil) were still the standard pickup configuration, though some Les Paul Customs had three humbucker pickups. Stopbar tailpiece and ABR-1 bridge were still used. A “Goldtop” finish was the only finish option. |
1957PAF (Patent Applied For) humbucking pickups were introduced, replacing the P-90 pickups. Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece were now standard. Sunburst finish (referred to as “burst”) was introduced, with a two-tone finish of dark brown around the edges and a lighter brown/yellow in the center. |
1958Cherry Sunburst finish became the standard finish option. The neck profile became slimmer and referred to as a “Slim Taper.” The body shape became slightly thinner and the top carve was shallower. |
1959Often considered the pinnacle of the Les Paul model, featuring a thicker top with more flame figuring. The neck profile became even slimmer and more rounded, often referred to as a “59 Neck”. The fingerboard received a more elaborate and wider block inlay design. The pickguard was removed, creating a “cleaner” look. |
1960The last year of the “Burst” Les Pauls before production was temporarily discontinued. The neck profile became even slimmer and flatter, referred to as a “Slim Taper” or “Fast Neck”. The body shape was further slimmed down and the top carve was even shallower. A Cherry Red finish was introduced as a standard option, along with the Cherry Sunburst. |
| Series | No |
|---|---|
| SKU | 8300436 |
| warehouse_eta | 19/12/2023 |
| Colour | N/A |
| Warranty | Yes |
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