See the bluegrass superstar give Gibson’s new Light Aged Murphy Lab Acoustics a workout on Gibson TV
Why should electric guitarists have all the fun? Two years on from the launch of its acclaimed Murphy Lab electric guitar models, Gibson Custom Shop has brought its proprietary lacquer and aging techniques to five new acoustic models, handmade in Gibson’s expanded Acoustic craftory in Bozeman, Montana.
The Murphy Lab Acoustic line-up is very much a greatest hits of Gibson’s golden era, spanning everything from the haunting Dust Bowl blues of the 1930s to 1960s rock ’n’ roll swagger and beyond. Gibson Custom Shop’s exclusive Murphy Lab lacquer and thermally aged tops enhance resonance and tone, while Murphy Lab Light Aging treatment provides the played-in feel and look of a vintage guitar, with softened edges throughout.
In this episode of the Murphy Lab Artist Series, Grammy Award-winning bluegrass guitar phenomenon Molly Tuttle plays the new Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab Acoustic models for the very first time.
Unboxing and playing the 1942 Banner J-45 Light Aged in Vintage Sunburst, Molly remarks on its resonance, commenting: “It does have the sound of a vintage guitar. This one’s amazing—it sounds so loud! As an acoustic guitar player, I’m always looking for those guitars that are going to cut through.”
Moving on to the 1933 L-00 Light Aged in Ebony, Molly again finds plenty to bond with. “This is awesome,” she says. “I love small-bodied guitars. There’s something just so cozy about them. And I do feel like I’m playing an old guitar right now. It’s cool!”
As Molly recounts some of her formative acoustic guitar experiences, she also plays the “super powerful” 1942 Banner Southern Jumbo Light Aged in Vintage Sunburst, the 1957 SJ-200 Light Aged in Vintage Sunburst, and the 1960 Hummingbird Light Aged in Heritage Cherry Sunburst.