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Gibson Custom Shop, Made to Measure Program & Murphy Lab
Always wanted to own a Vintage Gibson instrument but you do not have or do not want to spend the money to buy vintage? That is very understandable as vintage prices have soared to unobtainable hights for mere mortals like you and I. This is why we are such big fan of the Gibson Custom Shop!

CLICK HERE to view our ENTIRE Gibson Custom Shop Collection!
CLICK HERE to view our ENTIRE Gibson Murhpy Lab Collection!
Who is Tom Murphy? - Bio
Tom Murphy is THE household name when it comes to the aging of guitars. He is seen as the person who developed the aging of Gibson guitars to perfection. All TomMurphy aged guitars come with a Certificate of authenticity and all guitar up till 2020 should have a TM signature engraved somewher on the top of the guitar, craftily hidden between the weather checking. A short history:
- 1989 - Tom started working out at Gibson in the ‘woodmill’ in 1989 where he paired and matched mahogany bodies, but soon was ‘promoted’ to the ‘painting’ dept where in he practiced and developed his guitar finishing skills which later in his career would come in handy, refinishing Les Pauls in thinner, more period correct cellulose lacquer finishes.
- 1991 - Together with Edwin Wilson Tom started up the ‘Dealer Custom’ program at Gibson. One off models that had the Custom Shop decal on the back of the neck.
- 1993 - The program resulted in a Tom was involved in introducing the first more correct Historic Reissue Les Paul at January Namm of that year.
- 1994 - Tom Murphy worked at the ‘Gibson Art and Historic painted most of the Sunburst Les Pauls at the Gibson and some Goldtops
- 1994 November – Tom moved to Illinois and started hi own company: ‘Guitar Preservation’ and started aging Gibsons, for instance be recreating authentic looking weather checking by using an razor blade.
- 1998 – Tom now works exclusively for Gibson and ages around 50 guitars that year
- 1999 - the first Gibson Murphy aged guitars come onto the Market
- 2001 – 2003 and Later - Limited edition replicas’ of celebrity guitars are released on the market by Gibson - Dicky Betts Gold top, Gary Rossington guitar, Paul Kossoff, Ace Frehley and many more.
CLICK HERE to view our Gibson Custom Shop Collection!
