Tom Murphy on the Four Levels of Guitar Aging

[@sweetwater]

Plays like an old friend! Tom Murphy and the Gibson Custom Shop's talents truly know no bounds! Catch more interviews with the masters behind your favorite gear by hitting those like and subscribe buttons!

[@tone-talk]

There will always be those who are very opinionated about artificial aging of guitars. I love them and they are great. To each his own!

[@Joe-mz6dc]

I agree Marc 👍🏻 And love your show. Happy new year.

[@10sassafras]

Ask your Toyota dealer for a rip in the vinyl and a key mark down one side. There may be a slight up charge.

[@clivematthews95]

I didn’t know about this prior to this, thank you 🙏🏾💛 Tom Murphy is a down to earth genius and those are the best kind

[@reverb508]

Some of these comments are hilarious. Imagine being so angry about someone's guitar aesthetic preferences that you feel compelled to impeach their character in a KZbin comment. The anti-relic crowd is something else.

[@robfrasier9412]

Thanks guys!

[@heavyjoechipman3594]

I just made my first purchase from Sweetwater. A brand new Gibson Les Paul Tribute. Doug, Ian, Travis, and Especially Lucas Norton, made my experience ultra-personalized. They took the stress out of my decision making process. Thank you Sweetwater! I'm buying all my gear through you from now on. God bless everyone at Sweetwater. ☺💜👍

[@michaelodria1986]

Thank you Sweetwater for this interview. This interview was great and informative.

[@sweetwater]

Thanks for taking the time to check it out, Michael! 👍

[@fuzekan4280]

Super Ultra Heavy aging should have a headstock/neck break

[@babagadoush1]

Just to damn expensive. That being said if I made more money, I’d buy one in a heartbeat lol

[@VidMashUp]

I'm starting to understand the potential appeal of an ultra light aged - no damage, but basically an "old" finish which WILL age as you use it - at least it then has a real story behind the aging. Beyond that, I don't get it. Buying a guitar with actual damage on it for a premium puzzles me.

[@Johnny_Mor]

Those Tom Murphy relics are pieces of art. Beautiful. I prefer to worn down one day my self Les my Paul Standard 50s and to earn this look. However, those relics are true beauties.

[@Gera_Taraman]

I can't imagine Neil Young thinking of aging of his instrument rather than musicality🤦🏻‍♂️

[@goncaloveiga]

We live in such a weird era where people will damage a beautiful brand new guitar and it becomes a “process” called aging. The world is definitely a biodiversity pool.

[@Scott__C]

I'm going to sell my old "genuine relic" car to a guitar player. "It has so much mojo!"

[@CBGypsy03]

@@Scott__C A sweet 80s k car lol

[@liveconcerts7550]

@@Scott__C 😂🤣😅😆😁😄😃😀

[@Scott__C]

@@CBGypsy03 with Corinthian Leather that's torn.

[@REM1956]

People have been doing these things with furniture and other antique type items for a long, long time. I much prefer the feel of an older well played guitar to a new one. People like what they like, and nothing I say or think should matter to someone else. That said, I personally wouldn't want to pay the price the Murphy Lab guitars sell for. If someone else does, more power to them.

[@richardlewis1243]

I feel like a lot of this is to capture the dollar’s of boomers who dreamed of these guitars in high school but couldn’t afford them then and now Gibson has a way to separate those that have the cash from said cash. First it was replicas, so you could buy what some famous player had:Clapton,Gilmore, EVH, Adam Jones then V.O.S.; which were meant to be speced like 50’s and 60’s guitars just trapped in a closet somewhere then this whole reliced phase. It’s all a scam to get your wallet open

[@michaelborn3318]

Yeah, not sure I get your point, but they produce a product that meets demand and they profit from that. Isn't that what a business is tasked with doing?

[@gavinw5469]

You could easily buy a new standard and go to historic makeovers and buy the most expensive package and it's still way way way cheaper.

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

I'd love to see similar discussions with Heritage. Seems they don't get the love or partnership as the large manufacturers.

[@dennisflock3958]

Someday.....

[@frankspikes7858]

I feel like this. Buy something new that's affordable, plays well, and will be loved and taken care of. Let it age "relic" gracefully on it's own.

[@benallmark9671]

I agree

[@benallmark9671]

And if you want a guitar that’s a little beat up , but a used one.

[@frankspikes7858]

@@benallmark9671 I concur sir. I'm actually a drummer/bassist. I like to keep my instruments as pretty as possible. There's nothing more disturbing to me than seeing a dum set that's beat to shit. The heads have dimples. The finish is scratched to hell. I have friends that have nice but beat up guitars. Cool for them.

[@misterguitargeek]

Yeah. I'm 40. I will be 90 before a new Les Paul is comfortably worn. I couldn't buy an old one if I sold my home. I buy my jeans pre-washed and comfy, and there's no reason not to do the same with guitars.

[@gavinw5469]

@@misterguitargeek you could buy a new les paul standard and go to historic makeovers and buy the most expensive package and it would be cheaper.

[@lofioldman8362]

I get what some people like this but it's not my thing. I don't get the economics behind getting a perfectly brand new guitar, and then adding labor cost and more profit to make it look old. If they took B grade guitars and aged it, that would be more understandable.

[@voyager7]

I don't mean to diminish the intent or passion of Murphy Labs...but I just don't get this. The dings, nicks, scratches and wear that makes a guitar full of appeal, at least to me, is the STORY behind them. The wear that naturally comes from time and playing, not the artificial creation of the appearance of it. My two cents only.

[@liveconcerts7550]

May be it gets new as it ages 😀😃😄😁😆😅🤣😂. I am with you, it's beyond me too.

[@BenJBrandt]

It’s ridiculous AND they still aren’t finishing them correctly

[@justinguitarcia]

It’s complicated. The guitar or really any instrument is a psychological instrument first. For many the engagement with the instrument has some foundation in a memory of a player that inspired them. When you hold a recreation of a vintage instrument it’s like seeing a recreation of a great historic art work (electric guitars are folk art after-all). Of course it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. For example, though, I play professionally and play live a lot where the aesthetics of the performance are just as important as anything else in curating an experience that feels and looks the part. Because of this I often play relics live. Now I know it might not matter to you or someone else but if I was playing a roots gig in Nashville it’d be kind of odd and honestly, I might not get the gig, if I showed up with a brand new super strat or something super slick. Just like my old boots and vintage leather jacket, I like rocking my Murphy labs r6 cause it puts me where I need to be mentally to get into the story of the music I’m playing. Of course if I had 50k lying around I’d get a real one but I don’t and even so it’s a known fact many touring pros gig relic recreations of their prized possession vintage instruments for practical purposes. Guitar and performance is art and theater. I guess people who aren’t in the entertainment/visual side of it might not appreciate that side of it but luckily there are plenty of real ones and new ones you can ding up out there but for a lot of us that little bit of cosplay is what makes it super fun. Maybe that’s inauthentic but if you’re music and expression is more authentic as a result of it, who’s losing?

[@voyager7]

@@justinguitarcia Yeah I agree, I don't think anyone is losing per se, and I also agree that guitars (anything really) can have a psychological aspect that may be very subjective and different (necessarily) between player and audience or even that player to him/herself on any given night or venue. I just think that even in the scenario where a certain "vibe" is enhanced in a context with a guitar that looks the proverbial and particular part...these "aged" ones are, to use a term I don't mean in as pejorative a sense as it will surely come across, "fake". Can anyone tell, other than the player? Not likely, but when I put my own cash down on the counter when buying a guitar, I actually want one that's pristine; mint you might say, so that every ding I put into it is mine and mine alone (and I'm just talking new here, not purchasing used). In the end I guess this really is just a subjective thing, neither right nor wrong. So more power both to those who like it and those who don't! 🙂

[@misterguitargeek]

Why are distressed full grain leather chairs more comfy? I don't need a story of all the butts that have sat on my couch. I just want it comfy. Same with a broken in baseball mitt. You really don't have to romanticize worn finishes. It can also be pragmatic. Shiny new finished guitars can be less comfortable and lose their value faster when you ding them up. It's crazier to me that people actually believe the only way one should have a comfy guitar is to buy vintage or buy new and wait 50 years.

[@michaeljohnson8552]

Not into this ageing process... But for better choice of a word. Looks more "authentic" than the over the top Fenders we tend to see.

[@waynepayne864]

gibson PLAY AUTHENTIC

[@thepatriot4355]

Tom the Gibson Standard Sg can't touch them 2021 Epiphone modern figured Sgs I have two Gibson's a Standard and Standard Tribute and two 2021 Epiphone modern figured Sgs the Epiphones are superior over the Gibson's no question about it...so go back and tell the Gibson boys and tell them I said thank you

[@marky470]

I can sit down on my brand new "distressed" sofa in my brand new "distressed" jeans to play my brand new "distressed" guitar with my hair looking like a bomb went off on my scalp with my closely manicured two day old looking facial hair. None of which is my cup of tea. My Gibson has been ageing naturally along with said owner. Nothing against anyone who wants or needs this sort of thing. To each their own but this isn't a new idea by any stretch.

[@michaellonders]

Gibson rules. Belgian fan of Nashville

[@DieselKevcop]

I have 2 thoughts on this. #1 i would only buy an aged guitar if its meant as an artist tribute, to look the part. #2 Conversely, i also think theres new car syndrome. You buy a new car, and park it far away to keep it pretty. You buy a clapped out vehicle, and park it next to the shopping cart convention, because Who cares? Decisions decisions..... 🤘

[@nsp477]

No, thank you. Mr. Murphy said it himself at the beginning of the interview: let time do the aging naturally.

[@daveinitely3204]

So Gibson is turning their quality control issues into a business model?

[@gavinw5469]

Haha

[@Bobby_Digital37]

If I ever buy a gibson it will be a murphy!!!

[@kmatax9237]

Better start saving...

[@susanbucket3400]

A huge waste of money

[@reverb508]

​@@susanbucket3400 Thanks for the financial advice, Suze Orman.

[@wmrg1057]

WHY??????????????????????????????

[@the92project]

I’d get one if I had insane amounts of money or lost all fear of credit card debt.

[@KyleSG88]

Don't get why someone would waste thousands more for a purposely beat up guitar. Just make them with a good vintage type finish and let people put the wear on it by playing it.

[@grampskraka6976]

Yeah really not feeling the fake aging. Why does everything this day and age have to be pre manufactured.

[@Scott__C]

I guess they're marketing it as a bargain to buying a real 1960s Gibson.

[@misterguitargeek]

A tree I suppose would be a pre-manufactured guitar. These are post manufacturing.

[@afterimage289]

Overpriced guitars for a select few people that can afford them. Buy PRS. Best bang for your buck.

[@Scott__C]

I love and have some PRS. I'd love them more if I could get a model with 14" radius.

[@reverb508]

As someone who owns a PRS Core model and a Gibson Custom Shop, they are not the same. If you want a Gibson, you need to buy a Gibson. PRS is their own thing.

[@BobPerrone]

Sorry, I just don't get the whole aging thing.

[@0Reel2Reel0]

Me neither.

[@kmatax9237]

It's more about the playing feel than look than beating up the guitar... Notice none of these are heavily worn like you usually see on some other company...

[@BobPerrone]

@@kmatax9237 agreed, they are nicely done and don't look like they were in the same hotel room as Keith Moon, I just like to age mine gracefully through playing. Even then I'm super careful...I enjoy my instruments looking new. But that's just me, to each his own!

[@anupjsebastian]

Me too. Although there is something to be said about having a slightly beat up guitar. You tend to treat it a little different, and play it as aggressively or as lightly without the thought of scratching or spoiling the finish. You also wont pick it up less than normal by being too careful. You just play it like its meant to be played, no distraction or thought about being extra careful. Having said that, you tend to eventually start treating any new product more normally after the initial excitement period, and it doesn't need to be 'reliced' for that. I'd rather it wear down out of use rather than have some fake wear. Most any musician who actually is successful, is less worried about having an expensive guitar they buy just to look at, but one that they will actually play extensively, and don't have to worry about it actually getting damaged because it is a tool meant to be used. It is those normal priced standard guitars that tend to sell for hunderds of thousands or decades later (like Hendrixs strat, which is nothing special, but just a regular off the wall strat, or Stevies guitar which is actually a partscaster). I mean I used to want these ultra expensive guitars buy realized that if I bought something like this I would just keep it in the case and play it occasionally or just look at it like some work of art, but having a great solid workhorse guitar (or a few :D) that you don't mind having a few dents here and there that is not some limited edition piece makes me much happier because of how much I actually play them.

[@sparkyguitar0058]

@@anupjsebastian I get what you're saying. I own 2 nice guitars and 3 cheap guitars. The first nice 1 is a 94 deluxe plus Strat that I've owned since 96. Bought used but looked brand new I've made every mark in it. Not much to worry about with this guitar cause it really don't show much in way of damage. No belt buckle rash, no paint off in any spots ,couple scrapes at top of neck. Other guitar is a 97 ebony /gold trim Les Paul studio I got in 2012. It wasn't in bad shape or anything but it looks like I'm beating on it. Marks all over, paint coming off at appropriate places, neck gots 2 gouges that can't be explained. Good thing about those gouges is, I can tell w/o looking where I'm at on the neck. But such difference in paints. The Fender just don't chip off or really look too much different. Just awesome fade for original butt ugly yellow. The Gibson just don't do the same.

[@NoCoverCharge]

Just Noooooooooo!!!

[@aadityakiran_s]

So this is the guy who makes a living off of beating up other people's guitars. Maybe I should try my hand at that too.

[@dblat1291]

No jokes about breaking the headstock and repairing it aging technique? Apparently also, no player ever turns the volume or tone knobs on their aged Les Pauls, or has one broken or go missing and replace it with something not matching. How about this, buy a brand new Gibson Les Paul standard, let a kid borrow it who is trying to start a band for a couple of years, hang it on your wall and get the benefit of real aging with knowing you did something good for a struggling musician.

[@leel1130]

You couldn’t of said it any better I totally agree.

[@hailmaryrecordings8255]

If I see someone playing a “relic”, they’d better BE a relic.

[@reverb508]

Joe Bonamassa would like a word.

[@glynnpowell7864]

Of course it feels good, today. But I have a hard time believing these will actually last against the test of time. I’ve never played one though, so maybe I’m naive. My knee jerk thought is to think that this is for posers. But again, I’m probably naive to how good or bad they play

[@reverb508]

How would these not last against the test of time? The aging is cosmetic, not structural. These guitars will outlive their owners.

[@leel1130]

I’ll just let the wear and tear happen naturally isn’t that what it’s about anyway? Why pay $10,000 for a guitar that someone has fake aged.

[@susanbucket3400]

Exactly no way would I pay that amount of money for a guitar that someone roughed up its ridiculous

[@jayson1979]

Gibsons don't suit aged looks . Fenders suit better

[@LimeyGuitar]

Ridiculous fake wear.

[@gavinw5469]

Yup.

[@clownose2831]

What a nonsense facility! It's a guitar ffs! Just play it, in no time it will wear in! They aren't vintage Les Pauls ,it's like the emperor's New clothes,and just owning/coveting one of these ridiculous priced objects doesn't give you some rock n roll stardust mojo in your living room 🤭 it's cheesy and embarrassing! Still,it's your 💸💰 so what do I know 😳

[@alexslater6456]

Agreed.

[@leel1130]

Exactly!

[@reverb508]

Oh, look. Another guitar gatekeeper on the internet that can't comprehend the idea of someone liking something that he doesn't like. No one's forcing you to buy one of these; Gibson makes plenty of shiny guitars for you.

[@walshy2116]

Or you could just be like real humans from the past and actually work for the real wear and tear. It's not hard to do.

[@mattmanley7118]

So tacky sorry guys

[@reverb508]

Gibson will be devastated when they read your comment.

[@ehmmmjay9907]

This is the most cork sniffing BS I've ever seen... but damn do I want one!

[@waynepayne864]

i got reliced looking at these guitars cuz now i got the taste of a bboomer

[@markwhite1039]

I know to each his own but I can’t understand why someone would pay big bucks for a guitar or anything else that looks beat up. I want my new guitar to look new. I’ll do my own aging and for a lot less money. IMHO this is a scam that many have fallen for!

[@leel1130]

Exactly correct let the aging happen naturally. And save your money!

[@jaymax3201]

Paying extra charge for artificial dirty guitar is nonsense lol.

[@reverb508]

Some would say that buying a guitar that costs more than $100 is nonsense. "Nonsense" is relative.

[@john-kl3ux]

This is ridiculous. Just play your instrument hard. It might mean something more special then.

[@reverb508]

So putting the wear on the guitar yourself makes the instrument special? By that logic, you shouldn't buy vintage guitars either since you didn't earn that wear yourself.

[@FrankJmClarke]

Self abuse is awesome!

[@TimJames-mj2hg]

Your paying EXTRA for this putts to break in your guitar... Dude just learn to play. I can make a p.o.s. from Wal-Mart sing scream n cry. I don't need Murphy or his lab

[@revelationsoundstudio]

Why the hell do people want to buy a new worn out guitar. So stupid. I want a guitar that looks beautiful with no chips or damage. Why do you want someone adding dings to your new guitar? I just don't get it.

[@reverb508]

To quote The Dude: "That's just...like... your opinion, man".

[@revelationsoundstudio]

@@reverb508 that is correct it's my opinion. Sort of like buying a used car for the price of a new one. Lol

[@reverb508]

@@revelationsoundstudio Guess you haven't taken a gander at the vintage market in a while...

[@revelationsoundstudio]

@@reverb508 I would never risk buying used gear either. Who knows if a capacitor or other part that is old will wear out next week. I'm done and made my point

[@reverb508]

@@revelationsoundstudio The only point you've made is that you're intolerant of people that don't share your opinion. Just another internet guitar gatekeeper poo-pooing people for liking things that you don't like. Grow up.

[@geosmith3436]

I guess you’re either gullible or not to these business ploys

[@smokepeddler]

Overpriced new guitars that look used. Honestly I will never buy a new Gibson whether it's a Murphy lab, or any other . Buy an Epiphone, and play it a lot.

[@the92project]

Even better, buy an Eastman! The best LP available today

[@smokepeddler]

@@the92project agreed