Five extraordinary new instruments pay tribute to iconic vintage Gibson acoustics—and the models chosen include a couple of deep cuts for history buffs
First revealed at NAMM 2025 and following on from the successful 2023 launch of the Gibson Custom Murphy Lab Light Aged acoustic models, Gibson Custom has announced five new acoustic guitars featuring Murphy Lab Heavy Aging. The lineup consists of painstaking reissues of iconic models from the company’s back catalog and includes some cult classics that will be sure to appeal to vintage enthusiasts.
While the 1942 Banner J-45™, 1960 Hummingbird™, and 1963 Country Western will be rather familiar to most acoustic guitar players and music fans, the 1936 Advanced Jumbo and 1939 SJ-100 wind the clock back to the late 1930s to replicate rare early flat-top designs from Gibson history. Distinctive features include the Advanced Jumbo’s diamonds and arrows fretboard inlays and the SJ-100’s “stair step” headstock design.
Image: Murphy Lab Heavy Aged acoustics recreate the look, feel, and tone of a well-loved vintage example
All five guitars have been given the Murphy Lab Heavy Aging treatment with extensive lacquer checking and simulated playwear, including rolled fingerboard and neck-binding edges for the played-in feel of a vintage guitar. Robi Johns, Senior Product Development Manager at the Gibson Acoustic craftory in Bozeman, says: “By applying our Murphy Lab finish, Gibson has fully mastered the artistic science of recreating the vintage sound, guitar feel, and appearance of Gibson’s distinctive array of historic acoustics.”
At the heart of each guitar is a thermally aged top—red spruce for the SJ-100, Banner J-45, and Advanced Jumbo, and Sitka spruce for the Hummingbird and Country Western—with traditional hand-scalloped X-bracing. This combines to create a lightweight and exceedingly resonant instrument. Solid mahogany backs and sides (rosewood on the Advanced Jumbo) and premium hide-glue construction also contribute to delivering the timeless, responsive tone that has made Gibson acoustic guitars a fixture in popular music.
Each Gibson Custom acoustic guitar is handcrafted using the finest responsibly sourced materials and time-honored construction methods. The artisans of the Murphy Lab then age each instrument to capture the magic of vintage originals. The result is a lineup of guitars that look like they’ve spent decades on stage and in studios, yet play flawlessly and come with none of the issues inherent in old acoustics, delivering the full vintage experience—sonically, visually, and in feel—without sacrificing stability and playability.
Image: Thermally aged tops and the proprietary finish formula combine beautifully here on the 1963 Country Western
Heavy weather-checking, belt buckle marks, subtle wear on the neck, and other signs of heavy play imbue each Murphy Lab Heavy Aged acoustic with genuine character and individuality. This is augmented by bone nuts, saddles, and bridge pins, Waverly or Gotoh® tuners, and period-correct hardshell cases.
When it comes to the proprietary Murphy Lab nitrocellulose lacquer formula, beauty is much more than skin deep—especially on acoustic guitars. Tom Murphy is a firm believer that these thin, checked finishes have less of a dampening effect on the instrument, allowing them to vibrate and resonate with more freedom, thus sounding better as a result. Tom told Andertons, “On the acoustics, they use our proprietary finish. It will check—which I feel relaxes the entire guitar. It’s a box that vibrates, so it can vibrate freely.”
Image: The short-lived “stair step” headstock was introduced in 1939 and found only on the SJ-100, J-55, and ES-250
Each Gibson Custom Heavy Aged acoustic comes with a certificate of authenticity and the assurance of celebrated craftsmanship. Pick one up from your authorized Gibson dealer or test a guitar at one of the Gibson Garage locations to see, hear, and feel the difference.
Find out more about Murphy Lab aging via the Gibson Gear Guide and shop now.
