Specifications:
Model: Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab '59 Les Paul Standard Reissue
Year: 2023
Finish: Dirty Lemon (Ultra Heavy Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer)
Aging: Murphy Lab Ultra Heavy Aging (Lacquer Checking, Dings, Hardware Wear)
Top: Hand-Selected Figured Maple
Body: Solid One-Piece Mahogany
Neck: One-Piece Mahogany (Authentic '59 Profile)
Fingerboard: Rosewood with Aged Trapezoid Inlays
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
Scale Length: 24.75”
Nut Width: 1.687” (Nylon Nut)
Pickups: Custom-Wound Gibson Custom Bucker (Unpotted for True PAF Response)
Electronics:
2 x Volume, 2 x Tone (Hand-Wired with Bumblebee Capacitors)
3-Way Toggle Switch
Bridge: ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic with Lightweight Aluminum Stopbar Tailpiece
Tuners: Kluson Deluxe Single Line, Double Ring (Aged)
Hardware: Nickel (Murphy Lab Aged)
Weight: [To be confirmed]
Personal Thoughts:
This 2023 Gibson Murphy Lab '59 Les Paul Reissue is one of the most accurate recreations of a late '50s Burst, and the Ultra Heavy Aging treatment takes it to the next level. The Dirty Lemon finish is breathtaking, with a gorgeous, subtly faded hue that replicates the natural aging of vintage Les Pauls. The Murphy Lab Ultra Heavy Aged treatment adds deep lacquer checking, realistic dings, and perfectly worn hardware, making this feel like a true, well-played vintage Burst straight out of 1959.
The Custom Bucker pickups deliver incredibly authentic PAF-style tones, with a dynamic, open response and rich harmonic content. The unpotted design allows for extra sensitivity and airiness, giving it that perfect vintage Les Paul sound. The neck pickup is warm, woody, and smooth, while the bridge pickup delivers classic honk, bite, and sustain—perfect for everything from blues and jazz to full-on rock and roll. The hand-wired Bumblebee capacitors provide smooth and usable volume and tone roll-offs, making this one of the most dynamic and expressive Les Pauls out there.
The ’59 neck profile is spot on, feeling substantial but extremely comfortable, just as a good vintage Les Paul should. The one-piece mahogany body combined with a beautifully carved figured maple top gives this guitar incredible resonance and sustain, and the lightweight aluminum stopbar tailpiece enhances the airy, open feel. The Kluson tuners stay rock-solid, completing the authentic vintage vibe.
Condition Report:
This Murphy Lab '59 Les Paul Reissue is in excellent condition, meaning that aside from the factory-applied Ultra Heavy Aging, it has no additional wear, modifications, or damage beyond what was intended by Gibson's Custom Shop. The Dirty Lemon finish is spectacular, with deep lacquer checking, subtle dings, and beautifully aged hardware all meticulously done by the Murphy Lab team.
The rosewood fretboard is in perfect condition, with frets showing no additional wear beyond the expected relic treatment. The hardware has a naturally aged look, with the bridge, tailpiece, and tuners all exhibiting a tasteful level of wear that matches the aesthetic of the guitar. All electronics function flawlessly, with zero noise, static, or issues with the pickups, pots, or switch.
This guitar comes complete with its original Gibson Custom Shop brown Lifton-style case, COA, and all case candy, making it an exceptional collector’s piece and an absolute dream for players looking for a vintage-accurate '59 Burst experience. If you’re after one of the finest Les Paul reissues Gibson has ever produced, this Murphy Lab Ultra Heavy Aged Dirty Lemon ‘59 Reissue is as close as it gets!