gringopig's guitars
2024 Gibson Murphy Lab '63 SG Special
This is a Murphy lab ultra light aged recreation of the lightning bar equipped SG Special after the change from the Les Paul model of the same name that ended the 1950's. Now thinner with the Fender inspired double cutaway, it was the sleek new look of Gibson.
This was the result of the trade back (at the usual loss) of my Music Man Axis Super Sport. It was just too modern for me sadly and this one was always in my line of sight as I entered the shop, so I became fixated on it and gave it a go to try out a reverb pedal recently. Well, that was a daft move!
Click on gallery for larger version
I have to admit that I am only really comfortable with the classic guitar models. I need to stop going to GuitarGuitar Edinburgh too.
The SG Special model came after the Les Paul model of the same name but it looked rather different but featured the same dual P90 configuration.
This was introduced into Gibson's line up in 1955 and was a single cut double P90 guitar intended to be a cheaper version of the Standard model and came in a TV Yellow finish as seen above left but the line up changed in 1958 when the double cut version was introduced probably as a result of the popularity of the Stratocaster with its double cutaway futuristic body. A year later it was available, as was the Junior model, in a cherry finish as seen above right.
Of course, Gibson were always reacting to demand and sales figures, so in 1961 when the SG shape was introduced, double cutaways with a thinner sleek body, the Juniors and Specials followed. Soon the Les Paul model name was dropped.
This guitar therefore is a recreation by the Murphy Lab of a 1963 model SG Special finished in a custom colour I think is probably meant to be Polaris White as, in 1963, Gibson chose to start issuing custom colours as Fender had been doing. Automobile manufacturers had inspired Leo Fender and now Gibson wanted in on this market
So I believe Polaris White is what was intended but the Murphy Lab have aged this one with checking and yellowing of the paint to resemble a vintage example. Now, it's Ultra Light Aged but in fact looks more aged than that and has checking across the body and I have seen examples that are a bit much really but my one is nicely done.
Other features from the era include the Lightning Bar compensated wraparound bridge which, luckily, has been done with an unwound G string in mind. Beware buying a real vintage one as they will be compensated for a wound G like this 1962 SG Junior model. Note the position of the G string saddle that is built into the bridge and how it is in front of and not behind the B string position. That guitar won't play in tune with a modern set with an unwound G string.
So I believe Polaris White is what was intended but the Murphy Lab have aged this one with checking and yellowing of the paint to resemble a vintage example. Now, it's Ultra Light Aged but in fact looks more aged than that and has checking across the body and I have seen examples that are a bit much really but my one is nicely done.
Other features from the era include the Lightning Bar compensated wraparound bridge which, luckily, has been done with an unwound G string in mind. Beware buying a real vintage one as they will be compensated for a wound G like this 1962 SG Junior model. Note the position of the G string saddle that is built into the bridge and how it is in front of and not behind the B string position. That guitar won't play in tune with a modern set with an unwound G string.
Now look at an original SG Special from 1963. Note the position of the bridge P90 and compare it to the models Gibson USA is issuing these days
Note the position of the bridge P90. It is much closer to the bridge than the '63 Murphy Lab and the original vintage example than the modern Gibson USA model. I wonder why they moved the pickup as it will change the tone drastically.
I love the tone of this new SG I have, it is woody and punchy and, maybe because of the correct pickup spacing, has a really attractive hollowness to the sound when both pickups are on and it avoids spikiness and shrillness when just using the bridge.
I won't miss the Music Man, as good a guitar as it actually was. I'm happy I used it as partial trade!
Video demo coming soon!
