See the bandmates put Gibson’s new Light Aged Murphy Lab Acoustics into action on Gibson TV
An army of great songs started on acoustic guitars, so it’s never a bad time to consider bolstering your forces with the great tone and feel of a Gibson Murphy Lab acoustic model. Everyone needs a great flattop, and you’ll get a beautiful instrument with a unique patina from our proprietary lacquer and aging techniques—all handmade in the expanded Gibson Acoustic craftory in Bozeman, Montana.
In this episode of the Murphy Lab Artist Series, bandmates Marcus King and Drew Smithers play the new Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab Acoustic models, riffing with both fingerstyle picking and strumming as well as incorporating a glass slide. Throughout the video, the men put most of the lineup through its paces, swapping guitars several times. You’ll hear or see the 1933 L-00 Ebony Light Aged, 1942 Banner J-45 Vintage Sunburst Light Aged, 1942 Banner Southern Jumbo Vintage Sunburst Light Aged, 1960 Hummingbird Heritage Cherry Sunburst Light Aged, and last but not least, Marcus seemed to spend the most time on a 1957 SJ-200 Vintage Sunburst Light Aged acoustic guitar.
The acoustic lineup from the Murphy Lab represents a curated selection of Gibson’s most iconic eras, encompassing styles ranging from the evocative Dust Bowl blues of the 1930s to the bold rock ‘n’ roll spirit of the 1960s and beyond. Gibson Custom Shop’s exclusive Murphy Lab lacquer and thermally aged tops enrich resonance and tonal qualities, while the Murphy Lab Light Aging treatment imparts that cherished vintage guitar feel and appearance, with subtly softened edges throughout.
Upon opening the case of the SJ-200, Marcus says, “There are, like, so many character traits that you would see on a well-loved instrument, and it’s got all that well-loved feelin’ in it because the cats that made it put a lot of love into it. It’s like bakin’ cookies.”
A native of South Carolina, GRAMMY® Award-nominated Marcus King is a musician and guitarist known for his exceptional guitar skills and soulful singing. With a previous signature model with Gibson, this video showcases his extraordinary musical taste on equally high-quality Murphy Lab acoustic guitars.
He formed the Marcus King Band, a blues-rock band, and released several albums. He’s known for his powerful guitar playing and a voice that belies his young age. His style incorporates elements of blues, rock, soul, and funk, and he has been praised for his ability to capture the essence of older blues and rock traditions while adding his own modern twist.
While holding a 1933 L-00 acoustic, in reference to their mutual musical influences, Drew Smithers says, “I can speak for the both of us sayin’ that we’re fans first, so it’s paying tribute, and also you can’t really fake that stuff, so it’s being real and playing loud amps, and it’s makin’ you feel something. And that’s what those bands did, and [we’re] just grateful to try to bring that back, you know?”
