REAL Gear Reviews: Gibson Murphy Lab Les Paul (The Good, Bad, & In Between)

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

If you appreciate this in depth honest review and all the work that went into it consider sponsoring a coffee for all the looooong nights this video caused me. Much appreciated! www.buymeacoffee.com/YeatzeeGuitar

[@bryantherocker]

Have you seen this video, this guy relic and brand new Gibson kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKiTpJmlibZsY5Y&ab_channel=GuitarMovies

[@whimpypatrol5503]

I would think the final finish sanding would knock down any tactile sensation of the checking. If not, I would think it needs an extra gloss or eggshell finish coat (with no temperature treatment) to seal the checking.

[@nickl2883]

I just wanted to mention that the razor blade checking was done with a stencil. Gibson used a few different versions of it. If you look closely there at guitars with matching razor checking out there.

[@kcsvantasticvoyages9729]

I definitely do

[@7thday878]

It’s hard to find honest real owner reviews. The market is flooded with stores partners etc. Keep it up. You can fill a huge need for guitars researching what to buy. Most are buying online by sight, unheard.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Agreed 100% and that's the goal! I just make videos I wish someone else would have made. All the demos are fine, but nobody says anything negative so you don't get an accurate idea of anything. So the plan is to just review everything I own and my friends own and see if anyone likes the content 😅

[@babagadoush1]

Agreed

[@DS-nw4eq]

The made to measure (razor blade) finish looks fake

[@keiranbradley3238]

@DS-nw4eg That's because it is.

[@handwrittenhero87]

Nice to get a no skin in the game conversation on the guitars. The goldtop was the real star though, just an incredible ballsy sounding Les Paul.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Thanks! And ya I'm a fan ❤️

[@paulp3790]

The Doyle Coils in the goldie are absolutely killer. Great review, thanks.

[@therangersinger]

I don't think I have ever watched such an honest review about a guitar of this price range. Thanks for making a great video. And your lighting is awesome. I purchased a 60 standard a few months back. Did an honest review on it. It is a great guitar, a couple small flaws but all in all I have been very happy with my Gibson. It has been a while since I bought a Gibson. I finally found one I love.

[@alfgwahigain5544]

Hey, this is a really great video. I love how you demoed the guitars with such varied playing and different amps. So many guitar demos are like 90% soloing, which to me gets old really fast. You've given a much more complete overview of how the guitars sound. I subscribed. The Murphy is darker with a lower output and the pickups have a bit of midrange honk, but both guitars sound really great. But I think yours sounds better.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Thanks for the kind words, glad you enjoyed the review!

[@mortonwilson795]

Agree 100% Couldn't have said it better myself!

[@mdub048]

You cannot argue with the tone of that Goldtop. Spectacular.

[@jfar3340]

Typical confirmation bias; brighter was presented as better, so you liked the brighter one better. Had the goldtop been presented as harsh, you probably would've liked the murphy lab better (smoother, creamier tone). Personally I don't like overly bright guitars, especially when it comes to humbucker. If I wanted a snappy guitar or tele (I didn't know telecasters took steroids but anyway), then I'd get a tele, not a LP!

[@jfar3340]

@@christianjimbomb8204 because the tone knob doesn't darken bright/harsh guitars; shocking aint it? If it was that simple the pickup industry would collapse and people would just get super bright pickups and adjust tone knob to taste. It is simply not how it works; i had many hb with many different magnets etc and they all sound different. They have a base tone that the tone knob doesnt really alters; at best it takes of a hair of that high end, at worst it muffles the sound. Regarding covered HB, I always go for covered HBs. Uncovered are ugly AF.

[@jfar3340]

@@christianjimbomb8204 Hey man; no problem. We all have to start somewhere but I'm sorry I don't have the time to teach you the basics of guitar pickups and electronics; usually I assume that I'm talking to someone who has at least a vague idea of how an electric guitar works but this is clearly not the case here. Don't give up though, there are lots of great videos on youtube, as well as wikipedia pages. Cheers

[@jfar3340]

@@christianjimbomb8204 no worries we all had to start somewhere. If you need any links for info on electric guitar101 let me know. Hey don't beat yourself up we were all beginners at some point. Cheers.

[@russelmurray9268]

All guitars sound different even if they are identical for some reason. Most though are to close for words

[@bflo5210]

I'd say the gold top sounds better maybe the pickups are a little hotter, but the Murphy lab pickups had a little more classic sound to me...ultimately it's personal preference and amp settings in my opinion....Murphy lab looks cooler but again that's personal preference and that's what makes guitars so cool everyone has something that they like😎😎🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@mikedenkinger9570]

+1

[@jfar3340]

I don't think the gold top is ''hotter''. Murphy lab is alnico 3 underwound, certainly not classic.

[@kensmith5108]

Best honest review I’ve seen. I own a 59 light aged Murphy Les Paul and couldn’t agree more.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Extremely good review. Knowledgeable, full of perspective and very helpful. Now subscribed. Thank you 👍

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Thanks!

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Timestamps for mobile users: 0:00 Intro 4:47 Aging Review & Comparison 6:40 Vintage Checking Looks Like 10:27 Tone Comparison 19:36 My Thoughts on the Tone 22:00 The Good 23:38 The Bad 26:44 Finish Defect Issue? 28:48 The In Between 30:49 The Case

[@Guitar5986]

You are absolutely killing it man. Best reviews on KZbin. Keep up the great work!

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Thank you!!

[@stevest3v3]

Just picked up on your channel this evening. I have to say the format and way you deliver the information, insight and comparisons is exceptional. Well done!

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Thank you so much!

[@SeQFreQ369]

I think I must be officially a wierdo, I seem to be the only one who prefers the clarity of the 'burst, and I wonder how much of that is down to the thinner and harder nitro. Just as well we've all got different taste in tone or everything would have to sound the same eh? ;)

[@CornholeNetwork]

Wow this is great content. Absolutely top shelf. This channel is gonna be huge.

[@WatchesnguitarsDK]

Good to see a new video from you. They are always crazy high quality 🙂

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Thanks! With high quality comes long lead times 😅

[@tonelok]

What you're missing on the output issue is that you can roll the volume back on the neck to clean it up and then flick to the bridge wide open like Jimmy Page and have similar overall volumes.

[@engelsjn]

Amazing review! Thank you for all the time you put into this. Been thinking about an R7 for a while.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Goldtops are hard to beat! Just so classy 😎

[@timwalls7944]

Thanks for your honest reviews. After watching your pickup shoot out I picked up a pair of Doyle Coils and they are amazing. I also picked up a pair of Cream T whiskerbuckers and put them in a ‘92 classic. They are fantastic as well

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Awesome glad you like em! You're like the 10th person to tell me that they bought some Doyle Coils and loved them haha

[@mortonwilson795]

Thanks for a great, thoughtful review / comparison! Prefer the look and sound of the Goldtop but clean middle position on the Burst was lovely, too. Will be checking out your pick-ups now 😀

[@deanmccaskill5495]

So glad you said that shattered glass comment. I’ve only seen one Murphy lab and in the places it looked like literally a rock hit a window and the paint may fall off. I really like your Gold Top look. I’m about to buy an R8. VOS. More because that’s as expensive as I can get at the moment.

[@dsboli]

I bought a 2005 R8 brand new in 2005. It's 17 years old, I play frequently and it's getting better with age. Only mod is replacing the ABR-1 wired with the pure vintage. I'll never sell it. It is naturally aging and feels better every day. It is feeling vintage.

[@mikecosgrove]

That Gold Top looks delicious with the cream pickups.

[@MaximizedAction]

DEFINITELY helpful and out of the ordinary tone comparison demos: long AND short side by side bits that make the differences easier to hear. And great that you compared it to an even more high end one, that’s how you get the downsides. Looking at MLs 2 yrs later, I see they’ve improved on some points (like hardware and pickup frame aging). Case interior is still shiny new though 😂.

[@tboneshandy]

Great review. I recently purchased a 1958 Ultra Light Aged - and within 5 days the back of the neck starting to flake off! This is a known issue on the first run, an issue with the Cherry/Nitro combo. My dealer and Gibson are aware of the problem and were gracious enough to take it back. So I'm kinda done with Murphy Lab for now, and am now the proud owner of a Lemon Burst R8.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Wow! That's really bad, sorry to hear that but happy you found a great replacement!

[@tboneshandy]

@@YeatzeeGuitar Gibson and the dealer are being super honorable, and it's a mistake they've fixed, as you've mentioned. Keep up the great content!

[@michaelmcneal7749]

They did not take my flaking es 335 murphy! Crazy

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

😳

[@sapelopelo]

First of all thanks for this review. Beautiful playing, you are a big deal, you have the touch. Congratulations on that beautiful R7, thats a ringer. I listen mostly PAF players, and I think its prolly the best sound a guitar can have. However, my personal taste prefers that Murphy Lab. I personally always lean towards soft and warmer sounds. Great job.

[@johnbrown4568]

One of the best reviews I have heard...thank you.

[@azt3ca]

I’ve bought a Murphy lab light aged black Les Paul custom last week, your considerations are absolutely on point. My Murphy lab it’s one from the first batch and there’s no chipping on the lacquer or rough spots that are raised like this one on the video. Like you said, it’s probably a matter of concern to the burst reissues (maybe). Though, what I can say is that is ridiculous the quality of the electronics that Gibson puts on these guitars that cost up to 11k… the pots are mediocre and the custombuckers pale in comparison to any boutique custom built pickups I had the chance to own or try. It really makes me wonder if a small company like Vintage Inspired Pickups can make sets of matched centralab replica pots that are unbelievably good for less than 50 bucks why doesn’t Gibson puts more attention to this as the cost for them would be 1/4th of that?! The plus side is that the aging on mine is very good and it’s only 3,9kgs, which for LPC is heaven.

[@cechichan]

what other PAF like pickups u would reccomend sir ?

[@jacob_miller]

@@cechichan Wizz PAF replica

[@Rantila718]

I have to say, i have 5 of these new 59s and one 60….some of the best Les Pauls I ever played and I love the custombuckers…they are expensive, but it is what it is..They were over $300 back in the 50s so the price is reflected in the weakness of the dollar.

[@l8tapex]

Frank, is there a difference in the 59/ 60 necks? My 1st LPS I bought used in 2007 it was supposed to be a 50's. Then 2019 Gibson new QAQC , I bought a 50's Gold top LPS. Neck is a bat. I bought the Sunburst AAA 60 LPS last year and it is the perfect feel for me. Thank

[@creamroller]

This channel deserves more subs. Great work man!! subbed. tonewise I prefer your goldtop.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Appreciate it!

[@Bry-dt8kz]

Wow Man, that gold top sounds amazing. Tapping on the body got a lot of response..

[@chuckmatses6803]

I played a Murphy Lab gold top yesterday. It was a POS. The aging was ridiculous, looked like crap, and felt even worse. It felt like someone had laid the guitar in a pool of jam overnight, and then let it dry. I cannot imagine anyone purchasing that thing. To me, it's just completely foolish . $500 extra to ruin your guitar, but then if you never play it...This video was fantastic, very informative, thank you.

[@wallywanker7435]

Couldn’t afford it huh ?

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

The gold top has a slightly brighter, crisper tone, the burst is more mid-rangey But they both sound good

[@ClintCurtis]

I like the burst tone better, less bright, more vintage

[@mattthrun-nowicki8641]

Thank you for such an honest review. Cheers!

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@Adipsia1]

Thanks. You deserve a coffee for the work that went into the video.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Thanks man!!

[@briancarter4729]

I haven't started watching it yet but I like your honest reviews. I also like those guitars and hope I still do once I watch it!! Thanks for the time you put in to all your reviews.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Thanks Brian! Report back what you think after watching 😉

[@briancarter4729]

@@YeatzeeGuitar I actually agree with your own observations. I'm a burst guy thru and thru but the Goldtop has a much wider bandwidth. It sounds bigger where the Burst is a bit congested but then again those Doyle coils have a say there. Maybe a pickup upgrade in the burst would open it up. I can't help thinking that the Burst is not fully aged, kind of half hearted. Then again give it 2 years and some playing and it will look great but if you are paying that kind of money for an aged guitar you want it right when you open the case. Great review as always, thanks!!

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

@@briancarter4729 Agreed :)

[@GLvDOS]

I don’t if it’s confirmation bias, but I prefer the ML sound since it’s fuller sounding and less Hi-Fi. Already have a Custom 24 for clear Hi-Fi sounds.

[@jimherleva4541]

Definitely prefer the burst sound - warmer and creamier. Not saying the gold top isn’t nice - I just like a warm tone more.

[@mladengrubelic873]

I agree. I could not find anyone mentioning the Goldie has SS frets. Well there's the difference, right there. I also prefer mine creamier.😎

[@normanperkel139]

Best review I’ve seen.. Bravo on your candid thoughts. Personally the tone difference was shocking!

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Glad you liked it!

[@ksharpe10]

Always enjoy your Demo's very thorough.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

🙏

[@mad24r45]

Nice Review, subbed. I have the custombuckers in a 2014 R8, no balancing issues, but it's surely the noticable in the Murphy. Pickup sound a little hotter in the Goldie, no pickup covers usually give a brighter sound, might also contribute here.

[@philipcarson6768]

fantastic editing by the way!!

[@briansmythe3219]

That Was a Great Un Biased Review , Verry Rare too come across in this day and age , You Covered some of the concerns that Ive Had , Nice Job well done sir

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Thanks! I agree, that's why I wanted to make something like this. Too many demo's, not enough real out there.

[@goswo]

Great demo. Both clearly great (and expensive) guitars. To my ears your Gold Top sounds amazing specially the neck pu :-)

[@ronmorey3475]

That Goldtop is absolutely fantastic! Keep it forever! Thank you for doing this.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

It's going nowhere 😎

[@ashleyjackson8538]

I love that ringing out sustain from Les Paul

[@superlead1002]

Your gold top sounds much better to my ears! It has a lot more clarity and a tight attack. The Murphy Lab LP sounds really good too, just not as good as the gold top!

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

I will not judge the two guitar's until i hear them with the same Doyle coil sets in them. I am confident that IF that R0 had the DC's in it then the tones would be very ,very close.

[@Billywagner22]

The goldtop sounds cleaner and clearer. I prefer its tone over the Murphy Lab. It might just be down to the pickups.

[@SotoPhotoDir]

I just got a 2022 ML and is aging pretty fast

[@13aphomet]

Love the look of these.. The dull looking finish really makes a les paul look real to me.

[@azt3ca]

I think the goldtop sounded better, much better. It’s not only louder but it’s much clearer and defined. I find that the custombuckers from the Custom Shop get a little more praise than they deserve. Half the ones I’ve had the chance to have in my hands had an undefined neck pickup and a harsh brittle and bottomless bridge pickup, which is the worst of both worlds. They were mostly fantastic built instruments nevertheless.

[@jfar3340]

Typical confirmation bias. The goldtop was presented as better, so you found that the ''clearer and defined'' guitar was better; in fact it came accross as quite harsh to me, in the video. Had the murphy lab been presented as warmer, creamier, with a round yet articulate top end, you would've preferred the murphy lab. However who knows, in this day and age humbuckers that sound like single coils and LP that sounds like teles is a coveted sound; I don't know why people just don't buy fender if that s the case. As for me, I'm fine with fatter, rounder, darker humbucker tones, AS THEY SHOULD BE.

[@Twisty-gd1of]

This was a very nicely structured video

[@Joey_McElroy]

Everyone seems to hate the whole relic thing, idk why? To me it’s like rat rods. People build rat rods from the ground up to look worn out, rusty, dented, and beat up. Chopped up, totally changed from what that vehicle would have looked like new. No one is calling them a poser, or a fake. It’s just a love for that type of look. Same with guitars, it looks great, people love the way an old guitar looks, just like how some people love how an old car looks. People can keep hating on aged guitars, and I’ll just keep buying them with a smile! 😊

[@johnmirabile3535]

I can tell both theses guitars are more simular then they appear the GT is more open bc pickup covers are off am i right?

[@djencode]

Love this review! I still want one but now i know for sure what i want is ultra light aged.

[@douglasalexander4348]

Great video from an unbiased reviewer. Gibsons attention to detail is shocking. New knobs, scratchplate, screws etc on an aged guitar is something an amateur wouldn’t do.. Then they charge a huge premium for a that half arsed job ? Not a Fender man, but they know how to age guitars..

[@edtlonsway]

Great review! I would just say that Tom does do the aging as well as having a team under his supervision. For example he did every Greeny himself. Candidly there is a pretty big void between him and not sure what Gibson would do if he walked away.

[@JC-11111]

Oddly enough, I had the same issue with getting equal output from my $250 guitar in my avatar lol. The neck was so much louder that I had to drop it into the body to get it even close to the bridge. Thankfully, swapping in a SD 59 bridge changed that and now they match beautifully. Got lucky there. Stock pickups are Alnico 5 like the 59 so it really works.

[@onenotesolo256]

Great review - that’s about as objective as one can be on a very subjective subject! I’ve had a Collector’s Choice LP for a while and haven’t seen or heard anything from the new Murphy Lab as yet that strikes me as worth trading (up? sideways?) in the ‘Burst homage bubble. In this video I preferred your goldtop, including the checking. At $2.5k markup for heavy aging, and a system that looks like it will allow Gibson to significantly ramp up production of high end relics (until relics fall out of fashion), I can see why they’re pushing them so hard due to the presumably massive uptick in revenue. PS: Subscribed: very eloquently done in both speaking and playing. Bravo.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

I'd hold on to that CC, from what I've seen / heard those guitars tend to be pretty special. Thanks for subscribing btw!

[@MrJimlen]

most honest review on here., thank you., considering im in the market for a 58, by the way your goldtop rules

[@ph0kused]

Have had the privilege of playing a real 59 burst, also played a couple custom shops and by far the weakest aspect of custom shops are the pickups. Drop a set of boutique pickups in a murphey lab and you probably have an axe better than a real 59/60. Its awesome to see the bar getting raised by gibsons custom shop.

[@jfar3340]

boutique is always better than stock eh? boutique boutique boutique. You know who makes the best PAF clones these days? Gibson.

[@mladengrubelic873]

@@jfar3340 Literally NOTHING sounds like a good Gibson!

[@sichuancowboy]

man, the Doyle Coils sound supreme. it makes that murphy sound like a muddy mess with lower output and less presence. Acoustically, when strummed unplugged, did your goldtop resonate/sing louder than the Murphy Lab?

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

That's a good question. If I remember correctly the ML was a bit quieter and darker.

[@phobia97183449]

For instance those 3 oval holes outside of the main wear spot on the back is not something we do as well as the wear around the toggle switch hole.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Are you saying you work in the ML and implying this is not a real Murphy Lab?

[@phobia97183449]

I’m saying I do believe it is a real Murphy lab, what I mean is that it looks like the wear on the top, neck and back has been either altered or it was an ultra light or light aged version and someone added the wear. The finish on the back wear the “buckle rash” would be doesn’t even look like it’s been sanded, buffed and then aged properly.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Gotcha. Well that's not the case, purchased brand new from cme it was an early ML.

[@christopherguzzi1316]

Great review. I definitely learned some things about the Murphy Lab I didn't know. Personally, I'd go the VOS route on a nice light weight example. I saw a georgous lemon burst under 8 pounds recently. I'd buy it, but am afraid I wouldn't like the '58 neck. :(

[@morganpeline9822]

This guitar is from when Murphy lab made a big error. The nitro wasn't adhering to the Cherrybursts' paint and loads of new owners had guitars where the lacquer was flaking off in big chunks. Gibson recalled these guitars and reformulated their processes so the nitro would adhere properly to the paint...many owners sent their guitars back and got replacements from Gibson...

[@stevemorse108]

I played one in my local shop with a price tag of 14,'000$ which is crazy and was convinced that it was an esthetically based marketing rip of. However I was very impressed with the sound and having played two real 59 Les Pauls the Tom Murphy sounded terrific.Of course they plugged me into their best amp which does help the guitar sound great.The flame top was less attractive than my Collector's Choices and other Les Pauls in my collection.

[@loopie007]

I just looked at a couple Murphy Lab Les Paul's this weekend. One was Heavy Aged, and the other was Lightly Aged. I was surprised at how rough the finish was on the lightly aged guitar. It was as if the top cracked under heat and was just left with a sort of potato chip feeling. It really needed some 600-grit sanding as it should feel like a well-used instrument, not something that just came out of the oven. Weird. Thank you for the review.

[@OliverAmberg]

Great review! Thank you!

[@txarcher3967]

I recently sold my Les Paul R9 with a VOS finish. Buyers were unable to determine the differences between Gibson aging vs. normal wear caused by me. Took a big hit on resale value.

[@nextlp]

Great Video, thanks so much! The tone comparison is great! Don't get me wrong, the Murphy sounds good to me as well, but after the first 3 guitar changes I was shocked at how much better your goldtop sounded. More open, articulate.... Again, nothing wrong with the Murphy but boooyy is that GT sweet :-! Cheers

[@alexcrowe5052]

Gold top appears to have more output, top end and midrange clarity. Those Doyle coils are a difference maker for sure. It’d be cool to see how this could have compared pre pickup change on the gold top. I will say that the custombucker bridge is a great pickup, and the neck can be serviceable if the height is adjusted and the pole pieces.

[@rhinoguitar4897]

also no pickup covers

[@jfar3340]

@@rhinoguitar4897 a world of difference

[@detlord86]

I agree with you that you can see man hours on the razor checking and that's why the guitar is so expensive. But the look on the razor checking always looked kinda dumb and fake for me. It's like always the same pattern, done by a very patient person hahah. I don't know, in the end is just personal taste isn't it? Murphy Lab guitars are very pricey, and in my opinion Gibson is making a great marketing (sometimes even too much like they did with Greeny guitar), but the overall product it's great. I can tell that as an owner of many Custom Shop guitars, both Gibson and Fender. And you can certainly tell an immense difference from standard production. My thought is, if you can afford it and you love it, the price is just a number but you will really enjoy a high quality instrument, with top notch woods and materials. Cool video dude, keep it up!

[@Richard_Lush]

Great in-depth review. Thx. I still like P90s on a gold top. I find them more versatile than humbuckers IMO. I just got a 58 heavy aged ML from 2023. It’s worth it. It plays better, smoother and it’s more resonant than my CS 59 LP. Plus it’s 7.9 lbs and wildwood spec so underwound pups and wildwood had a say in which guitars they chose. Once you play one you’ll know. I thought it was a scam as well but it’s actually not.

[@honnaconna7312]

People who buy them obviously enjoy them, let people be

[@chingasofarkaso]

One of, if not the best guitar review I’ve ever seen on YT. Really well done. And the Doyle Coils just blow the Murphy Lab stock pickups out of the water, IMO. Stock Gibson pickups just do not come close to comparing to the quality and authenticity aftermarket PAF clones bring. Are the pots/caps stock in the 57’ RI, by chance?

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

High praise, thank you! Yes the wiring is stock on the goldtop

[@slashingbison2503]

Great demos and detail. thank you

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Thanks for watching!

[@tiogate]

Halfway through the video, had to comment: That Gold Top is gold! That's my ideal Les Paul tone that I could never get. How much of that tone is in the pickups?

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

That's a great question that's hard to answer. I will say my gold top is I believe a special guitar, it's crazy light for a LP and very loud and resonant. The pickups however do make a big difference, but I think they can only amplify what's there so if the guitar is junk the pickups won't turn it into gold. So if you're starting from a good base, really nice pickups like these Doyle Coils can take the guitar to the next level. If you're more curious about them check out my pickup comparison I did with my Les Paul a bit ago here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3nWmJaOpJJsj8k. I side by side them with 4 other sets in the goldtop. If you do end up wanting to buy a pair tell them Yeatzee Guitar sent ya. I'd like them to know how many sets I've sold for them 🤣

[@tiogate]

@@YeatzeeGuitar Thanks, I checked out the other video as well. My main Les Paul is (currently) a 2020 Gibson USA 50s Standard. Before I started to mess with pickups I swapped the bridge for a Faber with brass saddles which, to my surprise, greatly improved resonance, clarity and sustain. But I think the stock Burstbuckers fail to translate this clarity that I hear unplugged.

[@thebadterrorists5323]

A lot more than the cracked varnish!

[@deuceii9498]

Great video. Thanks for the honest review and the comparison. I highly prefer the tone of your Goldtop. I tried a heavy aged Murphy Lab SG at a local GC and I could feel the finish checking all over the neck. Very distracting. I would expect a true vintage instrument to have a smooth feeling neck even if there was checking, from hand sweat and oil flattening it out.

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

I finally was able to get a Murphy lab! It is a 2023 Murphy lab heavy aged in golden poppy burst. Just going by this one these things are incredible! they are not hype at all. Traded a 2016 historic R9 plus cash for it. This Murphy lab is Far more Historically accurate then the 2016 was Plus it plays and sounds better than my previous R9's.. The finish checking does not look like shattered glass? Looks like the old vintage guitars.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

@@These_go_to_eleven_1959 congrats happy new guitar day!

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

@@YeatzeeGuitar Thank you! I got real lucky it seems. Everyone that checked it out said it is not a typical average ML and that there are ones that are stand out's when it comes to the aging work. even with the aging aside i love the neck shape and the tone it has.

[@tony_dms350]

I wish I would be able to send you my No1 Les Paul a 2008 vintage mahogany studio so as to compare it with those cs gibsons! The result would amaze you for sure!

[@philipcarson6768]

great comparison. prefers the Doyles coils - however does the lack of covers account for the brighter clearer tone

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

For sure it has some effect

[@markn4526]

Cool review! I'm really not a fan of any synthetic aging process, but I understand why some people may like it. I prefer to age a guitar myself by playing it. I will say this though, some aged guitars do feel different from unaged ones. I'm not sure if they feel more broken-in because they actually are in some way or if that feeling is purely psychological. Personally, I think your R7 sounds a lot better than the R0. It's more open-sounding, more dynamic and has more clarity. There could be a few factors at play here besides the inherent differences in different guitars and the Doyle Coil's vs. Custombuckers. I'm sure the neck is fatter on your R7 which I believe contributes a lot more to tone than a lot of people think. I've found that Gibson's Custombuckers are all over the place as far as tone and output level goes especially from 2019 and newer. Also, I think Gibson hit a performance peak with "R's" manufactured in 2018. Every "R" that I've played made in 2018 is really nice. I have an R8 made in 2018 with potted Custombuckers and it's a fantastic LP both in playability and dynamic tone. I put it on par with my R7 and R9 both made in 2001 with '57 Classic pickups. I also have a 2020 R0 V1 with unpotted CB's that sounds really good...very vintage-y. My 2021 R9 with unpotted CB's however has characteristics as you've described...pickup imbalance issues and warmer/softer/weaker sounding even though the guitar sounds great acoustically. Hence, I am exploring other pickup options for it.

[@garyeckel1656]

Dont be afraid to sand the neck smooth, 400 to 600 just on the ruff area. you will love the feel

[@ashleyjackson8538]

I imagine all the different checking , comes from inconsistencies in the old lacquer and paints . Plus the wood expanding and contracting . And the hot and cold rapid temp changes . And some of us, ( my self ) have highly cirrostratus be alien sweat .

[@Siamese328]

If you've watched a Tom Murphy video, checking is done with dropping various keys etc. on the guitar finish. Mine is an ultra light finish. 1958 R8 Cherry Sunburst Custom Shop

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Dings yes, checking is from a freezer

[@Siamese328]

@@YeatzeeGuitar the checking on the video was done with keys and other little tools. No mention of freezer to room temp Might be what they do now. As you mentioned it would be a lot of manual work to do it today

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

@Siamese328 Dropping keys cannot get a straight checking line down the entire guitar, not how that works. They've said it before, big freezer to check than they do the wear part with keys and all sorts of other metal items to make it look authentic. But 100% freezer checked once they switched to ML. Before that it was done by hand with a razor

[@Siamese328]

@@YeatzeeGuitar ok have you seen the video in TM's lab?

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

@@Siamese328 yes

[@largecoke4087]

Well done. Nice review. I think the highlight in the last few years has been the 60th anniversary 59. Even then I highly recommend going second hand. It's not worth the $$ for a new one.

[@paulapykala9432]

Great review! I have an aged r6 (razor blade checking) that suffers from some of your points (new virtually unaged parts combined with heavily aged). They are all cool guitars tho'.

[@joshcohen6783]

I like the giodtop tone way better then the ML.....guess the ML is all about the "look and player feel" more then "tone". Killer guitar,soon ill upload my demo. Amazing weekend😍

[@Adipsia1]

I own an ultra-heavy aged Murphy Labs R9 Les Paul which I love, however I auditioned it against six other Murphy Labs LPs and there were clear sonic differences. In terms of your video, I'd say that your gold-top sounds much more alive and vibrant than the Murphy Lab. I'm guessing that this is probably down to pickups, but I'm wondering whether it's also down to newer strings ? Ironically, the reason that I settled on my Murphy Lab over others that I auditioned is the same reason why I prefer your gold-top... brighter and more open articulation.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Everything plays a role I think. My goldtop is sub 8lb non-chambered, so very light. Acoustically it's a light, bright sounding guitar so I think that carries over. And then the pickups are clear as well, and I use brighter strings. All works together 🙂

[@Adipsia1]

@@YeatzeeGuitar In my experience reduced weight definitely has a major and positive impact upon clarity and resonance. After having owned a couple of 80's 'boat-anchor' Les Pauls, playing an 8.5lb LP is a joy on many levels.

[@user-pu5sk1zc8s]

I own some incredible vintage SG guitars and understand the appeal of mojo. That said, if I have 500k pots and PAF inspired pickups i"m just as happy with a newish SG.

[@michaelsteven1090]

What a great video..I'm in the market for a Murphy Labs..The problem with buying expensive guitars these days is the inability to sit in a showroom and play them, or even see them up close..Wer'e now relegated to HD pictures on a website and then sending our $7k+ and see what shows up from our delivery driver..BTW, your gold top pickups sound artificial.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Artificial? Ouch haha, to each their own but glad you enjoyed the video! Hope it helps you out in some way 🙂

[@michaelsteven1090]

@@YeatzeeGuitar Of course it helped..Thankyou..I’ve subbed..but swapping pickups in a Les Paul for something “brighter” is not for me..Your guitar sounds really good, but why change it from true LP tone? I mean, is there a really a bad pickup in a Gibson custom LP?

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Vintage Gibson's are actually often exceptionally bright. I've got a 64 and 65 es345 right now as well as a 64 reissue and the differences are massive in brightness particular on the bridge. Working on a new video to go over it, so good thing you're subbed! 🤘🙂

[@michaelsteven1090]

@@YeatzeeGuitar yes, I will definitely watch it..btw, I’m not against swapping out pickups..I have a 2011 LP jr with a Fraley noiseless P90..whoa, it is beautiful! I need to figure out the differences in tone between the ‘58 LP and the ‘59..any thoughts?

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

@@michaelsteven1090 Difference in tone from a vintage '58 vs 59 LP? Any differences in tone would come down to the variation in wood and PAF's (which varied a ton!).

[@wrongbeach35]

That Murphy aging makes it sound so good

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

🤷‍♂️

[@justingallion4902]

That gold top sounds amazing

[@rodgedefender]

Mate, have you checked the strings as well to see if they are aged or shiny?

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

😂

[@darwinsaye]

If it has 50s wiring you should just set your eq to where you like the sound of the bridge, and then just roll off the neck pickup volume a bit. The output will be more balanced with the bridge, and it will cut some of the muddy bass and mid frequencies. That would be better than trying to tame the treble of the bridge pickup by rolling down the tone and losing output as a result.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Perhaps! I'll give that a try next time I run into an unbalanced LP

[@francesco0185]

I have two murphy lab LPs and a great bunch f VOS and Custom LPs (Top Figured, Custom Pro, Bullseye etc). Bought the MLs just out of curiosity cause I don't particularly like artificial aging. But I kept them cause they sound great. I like your goldtop but I prefer the 60 ML Les Paul, cause I love customuckers: perfect PUs for rock-bluesy music. Not a big fun of bright sounds.

[@jeffreyfoster4260]

The Gold Top without question ❤

[@landocalrisianguitars]

I saw many Murphys Lab Guitars with problems in internet, the lacquer formula can fail sometimes. My R0 M2M have no problems. In the other hand texting pickups is very dificult, I thing the height adjustment can change the sound and we don't know the adjustment in both guitars and the strings action.

[@amirmonshi7560]

This is one the best guitar reviews

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

High praise! Thank you