$10.5K For A Guitar - Has Gibson Lost Their Minds

In today's video, Paul from The Studio Rats is checking out a Gibson Murphy Lab 59 Heavy Aged Les Paul. These guitars are now in dealers for up to around $10,500, but are they worth the money, or is Gibson trying to tap into the Blues Lawyer market or are these guitars worth every penny?
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[@monahantp3767]

I'm thrilled that Gibson is charging $10,500 for a LP. PRS can now be known as the working man's guitar :D

[@WhyAlwaysMeMario]

Huh? What difference does it make?

[@musicisfree91]

You can get a Les Paul Standard made in Nashville for $2800 whereas a core McCarty 594 is $4800. Hardly a working man's guitar. Sure you can get an S2 McCarty 594 for aboout the price of a LP Standard, but that's more equivalnt to a a $2,000 LP Studio.

[@monahantp3767]

Fella's, lighten up! Just a little humor in the comments section. No need to get your panties in a twist LOL!

[@EdBenji]

Gibson has a far better resale value than PRS...

[@theuserthatishere]

@@musicisfree91 i'd feel cooler on stage with lp anyday. not sure how many prs where on nashville hit albums or covers

[@colinrobertson4569]

2.8k for a standard is crazy too. Can’t see me buying a brand new guitar again anytime soon.

[@emcg.9655]

Absolutely. I'm just enjoying what I have, it's very much a buyers market second hand at the moment.

[@YesItsReallyKeith]

pre pandemic - a fender custom shop was 3800 on reverb... now 7000+ !!! they are trying to normalize ridiculous high pricing!!! the ones off the assembly, they shave off a little more wood on the neck joint and they charge 400$ more !! sick of this nonsense !!!!

[@weschilton]

I paid less than $1,800 for my 2019 59 Les Paul Standard

[@Euthymia2020]

I got a 199$ sg special and I play it better ;)

[@WhyAlwaysMeMario]

Les Paul Standards have pretty much been the same price since introduction. I mean, you do realize that, right?

[@mikeblue385]

i refuse to pay that much for a guitar unless i can drive it to the gig.

[@hollywoodactress]

Haha so true. The new Guitcar....... a car that transforms into a guitar. 😀

[@edwardebel1847]

Or unless it drives you to the gig and plays the gig for you...

[@denisnerezov1697]

right, we can buy used yamaha r1 for that price and get to gig quicker

[@babetopaz]

So don't buy one.

[@mikeblue385]

@@babetopaz harley benton makes a better guitar for $300.

[@MrSteney]

I'm not a fan of relicing, but it's brilliant from a manufacturing standpoint. No B stocks because of a scratch or ding. Normally, an accident during production would result in a markdown of the guitar. Purposely beat the hell out of it though, and folks willingly pay more for it. It's absurd!

[@ericbitzer5247]

The relicing thing has to stop. Take a beautiful guitar and f'ck it up. It just doesn't make sense. My Gibson Les Paul custom SG from 1986 isn't f'cked up. Sure, the gold is wearing off and there's a couple dings, but it's been my main guitar since 1989 and played in a lot of bars and got free beer all night. And I don't think any of the dings you can barely see are from them. I try to keep my old guitar looking new, I never would want a new guitar looking old, and looking old from someone who is careless and f'cks up a beautiful instrument.

[@LeStraTele]

In 1986, I paid $350 for my 1973 Deluxe Goldtop. In 1989, I paid $750 for my 1988 Tobacco Burst Standard. I'm all set.

[@musicisfree91]

That's about $1,000, and $1,900 in 2024 , still really good deals.

[@rubievale]

I got my 1980 Lester Custom for £500 back in 1991

[@stratman9449]

well done....

[@bobbyarthur-yf3yf]

My Standard ebony was about 1200 in 94 … happy she still with me

[@seektruth5074]

I bought a 59’ DC Junior in 1971 for $240.00.

[@stratmagic6893]

I have owned many Les Pauls throughout the years and played at least 30 that were 58-60 models. I now own a 2018 limited edition Brazilian rosewood R9 which is lightly aged. It is an absolutely fantastic instrument and i will die with this one. I am sometimes tempted to buy another Les Paul in a different finish but then i think what is the point. It is worth it if the guitar brings you joy.

[@WhyAlwaysMeMario]

Absolutely.

[@Utubesup7890]

Get what brings you happiness. Like a goldtop.

[@francesco0185]

Hi. I have now a bunch of CS Les Pauls (from 56 to 60 historics, a couple of Murphys, an Axcess bengal burst, a Custom Pro, a Custom top Figured, a couple of artists etc). All great great great guitars. BUT inflation is the problem. In a couple of years prices went to the moon. In 2019 I bought a new 58 for 3600 euros (around 3600 dollars). Now it's 5000. It's not Gibson fault, or Fender, or PRS. it's inflation: pandemics, wars, oil, energy etc. If you want to buy another one, donìt choose the same guitar in a different finish. It's not worth it. Buy a 60 with a slim taper, or buy a custom (57, 68 or a 54 with P90s). Or buy an SG or a ES335 '64.

[@89digits59]

All Good but not worth $10500

[@-SILON]

Couldn't agree more. People shouldn't be fooled into thinking that this is worth what it's worth. More for the high tax bracket folks I'm afraid. Isn't going to make you a better player either! Hahaha

[@ScottsGuitar]

I literally paid half this amount for my ML R9 😂

[@sgt.gruhnn]

And Gucci and Prada sells women’s handbags for 2200.00 that ain’t ‘worth it’ either, yet they sell like hotcakes…

[@-SILON]

@@sgt.gruhnn doesn't make it right

[@sgt.gruhnn]

@@-SILON Doesn’t make it wrong either, a company can sell discretionary items at any price the market will bear…

[@disco4535]

I used to rip on people that bought them, thought it was hilariously stupid. Until I played a '59 at a local shop just messing around with a friend...and I was completely blown away by it. I absolutely fell in love with it immediately. And then a few days later my Dad passed away 2 weeks before his 50th bday. He had been saving up for many years to buy a truck and a 5th wheel camper, and he never got the chance to even buy it. After that I said screw it, you only have this one incredibly short life to live... go live it. You can always make more money. You cant always connect and fall in love with a guitar or any other hobby. So I bought it and I will never sell it. I couldnt care less how dumb I seem to others anymore.

[@raytorvalds3699]

As you should. Who gives a f*ck what others think about your purchase. I certainly don't. I hope some day I can buy an R9 too.

[@liorauf]

Sorry for your loss! Happy you got it! 🤘

[@CapoKabar]

Tool

[@disco4535]

@@CapoKabar Cope

[@CapoKabar]

@@disco4535 grow up

[@sadman11able]

Or buy a Maybach or Eastman and get custom shop quality for 80% of the standard

[@TheStudioRats]

absolutely

[@brianshoaf9026]

I love my Eastman 59 V

[@ScottsGuitar]

They’re not competitors with the Murphy Lab tho, albeit still great guitars

[@elbib2446]

@@TheStudioRats crews maniac/combat japan

[@geralltwilliams2811]

Or get a tokai ls range...

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

I picked up an Adam Jones Les Paul Standard as a retirement present to myself. I love it to bits, I got a price match and picked it up for £2299 as opposed to £3000.

[@juanvaldez5422]

I like mine too . The pickups were voiced very accurately. The pots not so much so I changed them out for Dimarzios which jones used early on . Also , mine is lightly ‘aged’ from factory . Is yours ?

[@Incountry]

Spend half of that and get a full custom made to your specifications which is hand tooled from Japan…. Not factory overrated, even the Heritage H150 blows the crap out anything from Gibson’s custom shop..

[@keiranbradley3238]

G 7 lp's blow this clean out the water,,,,,,,,,,doubt it not!.

[@keiranbradley3238]

,,,,,,,,,,and with Honduran mahogany and Brazilian board!.

[@Incountry]

@@keiranbradley3238 Not really, still junk and overpriced….

[@Incountry]

@@keiranbradley3238 ……and so are mine made from legally purchased Brazilian mahogany before the import ban on this protected timber where unlike Gibson who purchased it after the ban ended up on the wrong side of this legislation that a lot was confiscated and the company received fines. There’s custom Japanese manufactures that only a handful of them a month, these are an actual completely handcrafted that are made by one craftsman from start to finish, now say Gibson do the same…?

[@keiranbradley3238]

@Incountry G7 guitars are Japanese made guitars, made in very small batches using the exact materials used by Gibson pre-1965.

[@GearSafari]

It does sound stunning though mate, great playing and video as always. 🎸🔥

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Al.

[@djt6546]

Sound logic… but I let my SB59v go and kept using Gibson CS and most specifically ML guitars. Ridiculous pricing but awesome when you bond with them. The Eastman just didn’t have the same mojo for me. But technically a great guitar that played well and sounded good. The texture and vibe of my ML Gibsons just on a different level for my own tastes. The Gibson alternatives are way better value for money if you dig them 🙂

[@matt926uk1]

I think i would rather have an EVH wolfgang special, Ibanez rg prestige, Gibson sg standard, Fender american professional ii telecaster, a Marshall JCM 800, a Vox ac30 and a Fender deluxe reverb all for the same money 🤣.

[@timp.9582]

some of those guitars you listed are performance-driven instruments, whereas the Gibson is no where near that.

[@Scott__C]

@@timp.9582 Eh, Glen Campbell was able to shred on an Ovation deep bowl acoustic. EVH shredded on anything he played. SRV shredded on Strats.

[@WhyAlwaysMeMario]

@@Scott__C "Shred"???? Who says that anymore?

[@Scott__C]

@@WhyAlwaysMeMario As opposed to what? Plays rapidly?

[@WhyAlwaysMeMario]

@@Scott__C ...Uh, plays...fast? But, whatever, you do you, sport and keep "shredding"!

[@flashingit]

Hiring a voodoo priestess to work in the extra magic into each Murphy Lab CS LP ‘59 ain’t cheap.

[@dlmyrs]

Paying that marketing team! And all the lawyers too.

[@theuserthatishere]

you got a point there

[@Utubesup7890]

Didn’t you see how they relic them? Tom and crew hit them with keys. Not kidding. I like a slightly relic’d guitar but not for $10,500. Although, if I was Paul I’d keep that. I liked his goldtop too. He sold it or traded it.

[@TylerJacobson-ux7oo]

They probs paying her 17.50 an hour though, she needs a Side Gig.

[@davidshepack2484]

Wow....the effects sound great....I wonder what the guitar sounds like.

[@danielrose3172]

Thanks for playing clean in the middle position... Rarely hear that, but the difference is what makes a good Les Paul.

[@johnnystroble348]

Fantastic playing! Great video.

[@DragonBiscuit]

The craziest thing IMO is the fact it's nearly impossible to go anywhere in person these days and try out a selection of such instruments before plunking down an outrageous amount of money. I've been buying/selling/trading guitars for 40+ years and never would have imagined how ridiculous the industry has become...

[@stuartgreenshields5591]

The Gibson Garage allows you to do just that. I played the murphy 59 guitar he's playing but in dirty lemon. They wanted about £11k. You can also order customs.

[@Scott__C]

@@stuartgreenshields5591 That's great if you're in Nashville. I'll go buy something from a local dealer who carries quality instruments. 11k shouldn't need custom pricing tacked onto it.

[@stuartgreenshields5591]

@Scott__C I agree. It's quite frustrating. I'm in the UK and used to be able to drive 20 minutes to Andertons where they had all the high-end Gibsons. They now hide them away in an invite-only room and that just seems like too much like a high pressure sales killing floor for me to enjoy it. I'm not in the league of buying £5-10k guitars each month but I do like to be actually able to see them to pique my interest enough for that later big purchase.

[@Scott__C]

@@stuartgreenshields5591 Fortunately, the place I bought my McCarty had it on the wall, yes, it's behind the counter, but that's as much to give more personalized service to someone spending that kind of money as to keep an eye on them. They also gave me the Paul's guitar to try as a suggestion. You don't go into a separate room with expensive coffees or make an appointment, they just grab it, ask what type of amp you want to play through or give you a Katana so you can go through a number of tones. Sadly, don't have the dough to buy stuff a lot there, but they take care of you.

[@johnf.r6658]

​@@stuartgreenshields5591I don't understand how that works, you have to pay monthly to get invited there to try those more expensive guitar or what ?

[@udr3005]

I played such a model in a shop nearby. The thing is - they are absolutely phenomenally good. And I am talking about the tone and the playing feel. I have no idea how they put out that many of these on that level of quality. I agree to some others here, Les Paul Cistom Shop models have been veeeery inconsistent in the past, but my observation is that changed with the 60‘s anniversary line in 2019, no idea how. At some point I read a comment that they are roasting the woods (pressure/heat drying process), but not sure. One thing on „the relic job costs 5k“: I would expect that they‘re selecting the woods for the premium lines, so not only a 5k expensive finish.

[@robbyclark6915]

As long as they have collectors like Troglys guitar show channel, who are all jumping over one another to buy outrageously expensive Gibson guitars, why wouldn't they charge that much?

[@styrenebuilds6851]

Troglys is a Norlin collector

[@leviathan_is_me]

Austin is a Gibson seller first and foremost. His KZbin is basically free marketing that actually pays HIM. It's in his best interest for prices to be so high, well... it is and it isn't. He has a system down pat. and selling 1 guitar can nab him $ and 2 more guitars etc etc etc (example). Thing is Austin IS a very knowledgeable guy who wants to share his love of specific guitars. People give him a lot of crap, hell, I do as well. He is a good dude, though.

[@robbyclark6915]

Yeah, I love troglys guitar show! I watch it all the time. No one knows more about Gibson guitars than trogly. He's built himself a great little business there. No one's disputing any of that, but the question was, "Why is this guitar $10,500?" Well, imo, it's because of trogly and people like him. As long as there are people more than willing to pay exuberant and inflated prices for these instruments....... I remember when you couldn't give away a les Paul guitar. No one wanted them in the 80s. Strats either. I bought a LP for $200 in the mid 80s. That was the market.

[@robertritchie2860]

Thank god I've got my 2014 CS R8 VOS lemon burst - it's now worth more than I paid for it. And it's a keeper.

[@milankotevski1663]

Try to sell it, and we'll se how much it's worth.

[@torstenbangert4026]

For a guitar in this price range I find the color of the rosewood fretboard too light. Makes it look somewhat cheap.

[@adamp8765]

exactly. rosewood should be pitch black on every guitar over 2k

[@Martin_R-q2i]

I’ve seen mim fenders with better and darker rose wood fretboards 😂

[@Utube-g3g]

@@Martin_R-q2iI have one mim mustang pawnshop special with the 2 humbuckers. The rosewood fretboard always smelled. My amp guy said that’s piss!!! I avoid it now but I’m not selling it. Eventually it will smell better. I’m just wondering who did it.

[@WhyAlwaysMeMario]

That's a fairly common color for a fretboard. But hey...whatever floats your boat.

[@marcfava9789]

At that price get an ebony fretboard

[@raytorvalds3699]

People could give me crap about it all day long, but if could afford one, I'd get one.

[@OliverAmberg]

Great looking and sounding guitar. You can buy a Standard 50s for 2800 and you are good to go. I've tried several ML and I really dig them. Most of the time they are also really light. People spend tons of money on other stuff. If this one makes you happy, that's more than OK. And I think there are also real players out there who can afford the ML prices.

[@auntjenifer7774]

You are talking about Dean usa ML guitars right ? Shit even the select series Dean guitars blow Gibson usa out of the water but which ML do you have ?

[@OliverAmberg]

@@auntjenifer7774 No, I am talking about Gibsin Murphy Lab. I own a fantastic Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s for a very reasonable price.

[@BlackRose-vi2yg]

These products are primarily vanity projects. While they may appeal to some individuals, it is important to recognize that their value proposition is largely based on aesthetics rather than tangible improvements in performance or quality. When comparing these products to standard offerings, the price difference cannot be justified solely on the basis of superior craftsmanship, if any.

[@martinlahaie6012]

Very true but fun to have as a dream come true

[@babetopaz]

Value means different things to different people, on finding a dream guitar actual value as you define it becomes almost irrelevant, I speak from experience.

[@illgottengains1314]

Just got my TONEX ONE delivered today, looking forward to trying my Japanese Tokai through your amps cos that sounded unbelievable mate

[@farrl]

I played one of those in a Guitar Center in Orlando, it was awesome!

[@hawkcrossfamily]

I mean, the tone you are getting out of that thing is amazing. You can get a PRS Private Stock for 10K as well. Those are beautiful, clean, brand new guitars. And yet, I would pay this for the Gibson because the tone is amazing and the look has character, like a friend who has been by your side forever. If money were no object, yes, I would buy.

[@johnmargiotti1262]

I just want to know what you are playing through. The pair sounds simply stunning together!

[@1satisfiedmind]

I'm a sub $500 guitar guy, totally happy w my awesome inexpensive guitars. If I'm happy paying what I pay for a guitar that inspires me, I won't criticize someone else who pays 10.5. My buddy just paid 12 grand for rims and rubber for his new Bronco, he has the money, and he's happy. I paid $1,200 for my tires and I'm good. Great looking and dounding guitar, no denying it.

[@theuserthatishere]

love how you don't have the "it sucks cause i can't afford it" perspective

[@sammccue500]

Check out Jack Pearson. He prefers $80 pawn shop Squires.

[@JoelDucote]

Can y'all please do a Kemper pack along with the Tonex ones?

[@ladyluckdrums]

If you think that one is not be worth $10500, you should try the $20000 one with brazilian Rosewood Fretboard. I'm sure it will be worth the money!

[@Superman-pn1rx]

I am from Central America and you can buy a good Honduran mahogany wood board for about $30 but once that enters to Nashville, Gibson ask you $1000 for that. that is multiplying the money👏🏻👏🏻

[@Gaslight.Guitar]

you mean the brazilian rosewood?

[@ladyluckdrums]

@@Gaslight.Guitar yeah, that's the one I meant! haha

[@FC-cz6zd]

Crunch tone on the intro was great!

[@TheStudioRats]

Glad you liked it!

[@jeffreyfoster4260]

Sounds AMAZING!!!!

[@Sams911]

So I just spent 10 grand (well, $10,199) for a Les Paul Custom (plus another $600 for Custombuckers and $150 for a bone nut)... but guess what? I didn't pay half of that money for them to ding it up and scratch it up.. mine comes brand sparkling new! 5A, 1 piece quilted maple top is why it was twice the normal price! I'm not giving Tom Murphy 5 grand to do what I plan to do over the next 30 years.

[@jocro1029]

The pickups sound really balanced, great demo of them!

[@mikethomson4290]

I will never be able to own an original '58, but i am fortunate to be able to afford a murphy lab. I consider it a piece of art that i can play and enjoy. The value lies in what it is worth to you personally. There is no dispute you can get a great guitar for much less, but to me, it is special.

[@mikethomson4290]

( i know that this is a 59,my choice was the 58)

[@Paul-D]

that was probably the most well intonated Les Paul ive ever heard. im always trying to get mine dialled in and always end up with a subtle compromise, For anyone reading in the future with the same issue - I HAVE found the Peterson sweetened tunings help!

[@shaharbar]

Good job on the ToneX packs Paul, sounds great! I’m sure the pricey guitar doesn’t hurt.

[@BelgiumBluesExplosion]

I played this weekend for the first time in a Fender Stratocaster Custom Shop. It was priced on €5.890,00. I play a Fender Stratocaster USA with a lot of improvements. This guitar was the best guitar I have ever played. By far. This is the same sort of setting. Where I’m interested in are the specs. What material is the bridge? the ABR1? what electronics are inside the guitar?etc. Does it have a long neck tennant? This is what I miss in the video. The Stratocaster CS I played last Saturday, I heard while playing that Fender did something special with the pickups. They say Texas Special. They were not standard!

[@greenmanmusic1259]

Loving your playing as always Paul.

[@TheStudioRats]

Many thanks!

[@avivpinto4013]

I had loads of Gibsons from all era's and the Murphy sounds better than all custom shop Gibsons believe me. The Murphy lab picks out the best woods and the nitro is a fifties finish. They just ring like a bell .

[@Funkybassuk]

I would love to have a high end Gibson Les Paul but I don’t like the idea of relic work. I’d rather have a secondhand VOS Custom Shop if I had that kind of money. I have been lucky enough to play a few high end relic Les Pauls and those were wonderful guitars - but the idea of paying extra for rusty screws does my head in. That guitar looks and sounds superb - but I couldn’t afford the Murphy Lab or Custom Shop guitars anyway.

[@checkitout611]

It for sure sounded good. I personally would go with a standard. Let my luthier dial it all in perfectly with the setup and put in the pickups and electronics I prefer and save a ton of money. Still though it sounded great and looked great none the less. Enjoyed it.

[@garrysimmons111]

You should A/B that guitar with the new Epi 59 Les Paul that comes with Custombuckers/etc.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Why? Epis are junk even compared to a Gibson LP standard USA.

[@WhyAlwaysMeMario]

Those type of comparisons SUCK!

[@williamdesmarais4931]

​@johnsmith-ug5tp I love when people like you make blanket statements about things they obviously have no clue about.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

@@williamdesmarais4931 I have owned both. You are the one who hasn't a clue. Comparing a Gibson LP to an Epi LP is like comparing a Benz to a Hyundai. haha

[@williamdesmarais4931]

@johnsmith-ug5tp In what way? Huh? You tell me, mr guitar guru ,in what way are my Gibsons "better" than my epi 59s ? Or how are my epi 59s worse than the 30 or so Gibsons I've owned in the past? If I had to guess ,I'd say you would just regurgitate the tone wood and nitro BS that people have fallen for the past 20 years. Or maybe you can tell me why ANY made in Japan Epiphone elitist or Orville by Gibson smokes any Gibson USA , and are on Gibson custom shop levels. Maybe try thinking for yourself, instead of letting some high price make you believe that the product must be better. Oh, and by the way, Mercedes are absolute trash.

[@MrMalq]

Beautiful guitar. I Bought a 60th Anniversary 1960 V1 neck (More or less the same as the 59) at first I thought “ohhh what have I done this is nuts” A year latter I do not regret it one bit. As the year has passed I’ve only got to know the guitar more and more.The custombucker pickups are just so so beautiful that if affords complete joy plugging straight into the amp within any pedals. I borrowed the money to buy mine and will be paying the money back for the next 4 years. I don’t care it was always my burning desire to have a custom shop burst. To anyone who is buying a USA standard line,I had one and they are beautiful. If you can afford to invest In a set of custombuckers please to so. They are amazing pups

[@jwn741]

i don't know anyone that would buy a LP after '96 or even 2000. especially a 10k one. SO many custom builders picked up their slack over 20 years ago.

[@jwn741]

surprised it doesnt have one of those janky robotuners on it LOL

[@Pastor_Grant]

They wouldn't do stuff like this unless there was a market. Its nuts but I suspect they will sell enough to do it again.

[@k9er233]

What an intro! Dang. All of your noodlin' is the bomb Paul. From tasteful and sublime, to balls out.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers fella. Much appreciated

[@hawaiianfilter]

With such beautiful sound and tone and look, I say worth it. Great video!

[@stephenmccain-wx2jy]

Buy an Eastman sb59v if you want relic or a regular one. I have 3 of them II bought used for less than 1300 each .These guitars are totally handmade masterpieces.will put them up against any gibson!

[@surf247365]

I had exactly the same experience. Just amazing instruments.

[@colinpadley1897]

It would have been nice to have a comparison with a standard 59 custom shop.

[@seektruth5074]

Wow. That is one juicy guitar tone going on there. Beautiful intonation.

[@LJG781]

Never would I pay for some one to relic my guitar... That's part of the guitars history, it's soul... Besides that I'm old school, I love my guitars to look pristine. No matter how old they are...

[@j.schaefer5622]

I played a CC#24 Les Paul once. This guitar was sooo good and even more expensive than this Murphy Lab. Did I had the money? No not at this time. I never had spend more than 3K for a guitar. Would I spend the money now? Yes.

[@DimKAt21]

The harmonic overtones are astounding!

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Paul's playing/tone is top notch as per usual and Studio Rats ToneX pack tones are freaking awesome sounding.

[@k8923]

the reason they can charge that much is illustrated in the first few seconds of this video. Somehow it makes your fingers go twice as fast as I've ever seen you play!! Worth it. (and you make better faces when you play it 😁

[@Hickeroar]

That intro & playing throughout... 🔥

[@jessienidiffer9440]

I also have an R9 Heavy aged LP Murphy and loved it so much I ultra light aged my CS 57 LP junior. It turned out really good. Used the can of duster to do the finish checking. I enjoyed the tone thru your Phil X, so I guess I will put that on my wish list. I’m 66 and don’t gig and will never age a guitar naturally so these work for me.

[@garywaddell6309]

A Les Paul is one guitar I’d love to own, 10k uk pricing is a bit out of reach for me, not to mention a step in the direction of divorce, sounds lovely all the same Paul. How truly different is the guitar vs the Standard? Btw some nice new chops in there, and your new ToneX packs sound awesome

[@marcospintor1333]

It looks cool. I have a Gibson USA Les Paul in that same color but it doesn’t nearly look as cool as that one. The cloudy nickel pickup covers look so much better than the shiny chrome ones

[@seangrexa4707]

Beautiful playing, you probably make anything sound fabulous but that guitar sounds above and beyond delicious. Im sold but like many, too poor to even consider.

[@cyberhead243]

Play a guitar often enough it will relic itself in time. No need to pay an extra 5 to 6 grand to have it artificially done for you. I would want my own story written into my guitar not someone elses interpretation of it.

[@Utube-g3g]

Only if it has nitro finish though. Polyurethane won’t age.

[@woody2669]

Do the people who buy relics think people will believe its an old axe? whats next a Tesla relic?

[@WhyAlwaysMeMario]

@@woody2669 Nope...they often feel better though.

[@bloodheal7]

They reserve lighter mahogany as well for the heavier aged ones, it’s not just the look. Unfortunately they are a better guitar even if it hurts to say

[@theuserthatishere]

over time if you only play one guitar a lot, and wait about 30 years

[@gam1471]

A good point about losing money when selling a guitar like this - C.F. Martin's D45 acoustic is just over £10,000 new, and secondhand I've seen them go for £4,000 to £6,000. A bargain (?) for someone when buying secondhand - it's best to wait if you want one.

[@joellemaster998]

ive got an old heritage h150 thats not scared of that murphy lab les paul,although that gibson is undeniabley a great guitar...i would love to have one..after i rewired my heritage and put new picups in im happy with my heritage though! to each thier own,i always say...

[@joewyatt8371]

I have 3 LP's: an R8, R9, and a 68 Custom Shop. I had to play dozens to find them.. It is unbelievable how inconsistent they are. The good news is that they hold their value better than most.

[@rethinktone]

No guitar are good investment. Youre lucky if they beat inflation. If you want an investment, go to the stock market. If you want a guitar, go to a consistent builder with designs that aren't from the 50s. It's just a waste of resources to own these things.

[@tomusic8887]

It's terrible at those prices....

[@joewyatt8371]

@@rethinktone Who said they were good investments?

[@rethinktone]

@@joewyatt8371 people who care about resell value. You wouldn't have to resell a guitar if you got a good guitar to start out with. What's the point in buying something if you are going to sell it?

[@Kevin-the-Just]

They used to charge that kind of money for their craftsman built archtops. $10.5k for a Les Paul that's had a bunch of keys dropped on it is insulting. They tell you it's more than that, but that's what it amounts to. And they'll laugh about it all the way to the bank.

[@VictorGonzalez-gk1nr]

Whatever opinions we may have, at the end of the day any given commercial product can only maintain its price (let alone survive altogether) if there is a demand for it; it seems as though the pricing team at Gibson , among others, are well aware of that fact.

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

YES These are worth it and here's why. A 1958, 59 or 60 burst will run over a 175k And these are the closest you can get to those. My 2023 Murphy heavy aged R9 cost me under 8K And it checks every box for me. Best Les Paul I've ever owned.

[@pablos-d2u]

I always suggest to put next to the price label the estimated amount of money which went in to production and the estimated amount the company will earn from your purchase. I think this is fair.

[@niptodstan]

In my avatar pic to the left. I have a mint 89 Les Paul that is amazing. I paid £1350 for it. Then I have a Hamer Sunburst mint 78, ex Jethro Tull. I won't say what I paid, but it was less than the Les Paul. Both better than a Custom shop.

[@djhoneylove5710]

I would suggest trying out the Heritage Les Pauls made in the original Gibson factory using the original equipment and employees in Kalamazoo MI. They cost about the same as an LP standard, but I am sure you can get a deal on a used one. The Gibson name tag isn't worth the extra cost.

[@walterppk1989]

I tried 10 high end Gibson les pauls and hated all of them. Then I tried a Maybach Lester 60s slim taper. It was 10x better at 2.2k euro. Best guitar I've ever held.

[@florisvanlingen]

I just received my Maybach Lester 60's in Earl Grey this week. An absolute amazing guitar!

[@honnaconna7312]

Nonsense

[@Scott__C]

Those look great. Gibson really didn't improve the QC. Cesar just used his wealth as a Private Equity guy to be able to hang out with rockstars.

[@WhyAlwaysMeMario]

But what you failed to mention is that all of the best guitars you tried are Harley Benton's.

[@petersmith143]

Exactly.

[@jeremyjohnston592]

Sounds absolutely fantastic. Incredible tone. Brilliant playing as always. However, at 4 times the price of a 50s Standard model, I don't believe its 4 times better. I've got a 50s Standard Les Paul, and its amazing. Definitely the best Les Paul I've played in 35 years of playing the guitar. Probably the best guitar I've ever, or will ever own....

[@Adventuresingearland]

Sounds lovely. Can tell from the playing clips that you get on with it already. Good of the wife to sell that kidney in order to buy you a nice birthday gift old chap! 🤣

[@TheStudioRats]

Both Kidneys.

[@TheFatstrat79]

sounds lovely and beautifully played mate. £10k is out out reach for most...I've bough cars for less money! I love a relic'd guitar, like you say takes the worry out of scratching it....doesn't take the worry of having it stolen at a gig and let's face it you are not going to gig that one....I certainly wouldn't.

[@martinclayton7260]

I personally wouldn't pay more than £2000 for a guitar, and it would have to be a bloody good one for that! You can buy some fantastic guitars for a few hundred pounds, so spending that much is just stupid!

[@erneumann3136]

If people are willing to buy one it is worth it to them. I hope that Gibson sells many guitars in various price ranges that are made in the USA.I recently bought an R8, I sold a Norlin era LP that I bought new in the seventies to help pay for the R8 and I can tell you that the workmanship on the R8 is much better than it was on the Norlin era LP. If people don't want to pay a high price for a LP there are less costly ones that they can buy and that is good too. Go Gibson!

[@58lp2002]

Totally agree, ridiculous prices for the $10K and even $5K! It’s all about what they can charge if people are buying them and it seems rich folks from Asia and elsewhere are doing just that. For the rest of us, it’s absurd. I got a custom shop 57 GT reissue for about $2100 before the prices went up, up, then up more a while back. Then a Warren Haynes 58 custom shop model for under $3K. I should have bought a 56 GT reissue back then but not it’s over $5K which I can’t/won’t buy. I love Les Pauls but too expensive for that model, not sure how the $2700 standards play and sound?

[@bogarbill6331]

You don't have to buy it! Rather not, because then I have more choice to purchase 1 or 2

[@2good2betrue3]

The sound is soo good, very crunchy clear and tasty. 👌But man, 10K!😮I wish I have a 10k, maybe if I sold all my guitars, I will be able to afford it.🤭

[@stephencowan139]

Hi Paul, lovely playing and tone as usual! To my ears every guitar you demo sounds sweet, even the Jet you demoed a few months ago! Off coarse every switched on guitarist knows that reliced guitars always sound better than "new" !!! 😂 Cheers, Stephen from Scotland

[@gabyace4]

Do you have a video were you discuss your audio/recording set up? Me and my friends always talk about how your channel has the best audio recording ( how amps, modelers, etc. sound). Thank you!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers! I have done a few but not for a while. I’ll do one in the next few weeks. Thanks for the idea

[@Colin-o9t]

I own a Gibson R8, best guitar i have ever owned or played. Worth every hard earned dollar!

[@leestanford2452]

PRS still says, “hold my beer”

[@robdavis8307]

"I can take it to a gig and not worry about it"....... huh? ON A GUITAR THAT COST $10 GRAND???? That's insane. Your green tele and your very worn strat sound at least as good as that overpriced chunk of wood.

[@petergedd9330]

There yer go again Paul, I always get that deep feeling when I hear you play. Have you got any albums or tracks? Beautiful guitar, way out of my league pocket wise, I've got a LP finally a few years ago, I couldn't believe that it had those 'School Buss' frets, another way of saying 'We didn't crown them' so I had to do it myself after paying £2200, I was gob smacked. It's a nice guitar but I expected a lot better for the price. That's life, it's a shame that only bankers will be able to afford this one. Thanks as usual Paul, great playing.

[@rockhead69]

We live in a free country, my man...if you do not agree with the price, stop whining and just do not buy it.

[@OldeDog_NewTricks]

When they charge that much it overshadows any praise that you would normally heap on that LP. I wonder if the math would show that they would sell much more at say $3K than they would at $10K?

[@LairdDavidson]

10k for a beat up guitar and rusty case. I should have asked for more when I sold my old beat up guitar.

[@IvorThomas]

Used Custom Shop is what I picked up. $4500. Best Les Paul I’ve ever played. BTW, how much does that $10.5k Murphy Lab weigh? I would hope that the wood would be the lightest possible as well as really lovely.

[@TheStudioRats]

It’s 8.5lbs

[@alraymond1618]

Yes.

[@mjolnircarlssen4211]

Sounds awesome, and beautiful guitar. But, I didn’t hear anything that I can’t get out of my 20-year old LP Studio and my Mesa.

[@TheRealCatnut]

That sounds utterly awesome! But I think you would be a bit daft to pay an EXTRA £5,000 or more for a slightly beat up finish and rubbish parts fit. Wicked playing from Paul..that guy would make a chair leg with a string and a pickup sound great.

[@RonaldBarron]

Yes they have lost their minds. The guitars are as quality as 20 year old epiphones. Its insane. I hope the company tanks

[@vaportrails7943]

Why are you so bitter?

[@shuriken4100]

Why you don't try to buy a PRS on the same level?

[@michaelheller8841]

I'm not a fan of the relics, but I understand that some people love it. I own a Gibson CS R8 and its gloss finish is shiny and still new-looking. I am careful with my guitars, not even a dent or scratch and I play it every day. The bleeding on the binding naturally came about but I'm okay with that. I wonder if the Murphy Lab Custombuckers are different than the regular custom shops. Every guitar is going to sound different. I think your R9 Murphy Lab is a fantastic-sounding guitar. I can't argue whether it's worth it or not the real ones sell for over 250k on a bad day lol. I can't afford either one but I'm more than happy with my #1 and I paid $4800 brand new. I can ding it up myself but not my baby lol. I look at it this way, it's an investment, and if you don't dig the Murphy Lab just by a regular CS and play it. No right or wrong here, you have to make the decision on what comes out of your pocket.

[@emcg.9655]

I see the pink paisly masterbuilt sold😊.

[@TheStudioRats]

Someone’s sussed the vid. Yeah paisleys gone and got the Les Paul second hand for less than the paisley sold for.

[@peter-0200]

I built my own partscaster using the best materials and hardware for around $1400 USD and did my own relic job on it. Sounds and plays great. Eddie Van Halen didn’t need anything better, so why would I? Yes that Gibson looks and sounds amazing and if you have the means and happy to spend that kind of money, then go for it. It’s your choice.

[@michaelodria1986]

That is truly a Beautiful looking and sounding guitar.