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Gibson Custom Shop | Introducing the Murphy Labplay button

Gibson Custom Shop | Introducing the Murphy Lab

Gibson Custom

collapse expand iconDescription

The Gibson Custom 1963 Murphy Lab Firebird V recreates a classic guitar that’s part of rock and roll history. An exacting replica of the vintage original, the Gibson Murphy Lab Firebird V features the same, classic offset shape, neck-through construction and fiery mini-humbuckers, making it just as fun and exciting to play as the original. The icing on the cake is the Heavy Aging finish by the skilled Murphy Lab artisans. The Murphy Lab Heavy Aged treatment, combined with heavily aged hardware, replicates decades of heavy play wear, making this Firebird V feel like a true original from the Gibson Golden Era. Available now at Guitar Center, the 1963 Firebird V will become the centerpiece of your collection.

Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V Murphy Lab Main Features

  • 9-ply mahogany/walnut body
  • 24.75" scale mahogany/walnut neck with 22-fret, 12" radius Indian rosewood fretboard
  • Firebird Alnico 5 humbuckers with handwired CTS electronics and a Switchcraft 3-way selector
  • ABR-1 bridge, Maestro Vibrola tailpiece, Deluxe banjo tuning machines

Classic Construction

Conceptualized by automotive designer Ray Dietrich, the Firebird turned what was possible for solidbody electric guitars upside down when Gibson first released it in the early ’60s. The Firebird V is a modern re-creation of that iconic and exciting ’60s design. The mahogany/walnut body construction delivers detailed tone and long sustain.

Strong Neck With a Vintage Feel

The Murphy Lab Firebird V is as close as you’ll come to picking up and strumming away on the original. For fans of that true, vintage feel, the strong, 9-ply mahogany/walnut neck delivers all that and more. It’s constructed with an authentic ’63 Medium C profile with a neck-through construction for great sustain. The Indian rosewood fretboard has extra-rolled binding for that heavily played look and feel and it’s affixed with hide glue. The inlays are aged cellulose nitrate shaped into trapezoids.

Timeless Tone

Gibson saves its best pickups for Custom Shop instruments. This Murphy Lab guitar is loaded with dual Firebird Alnico V pickups to serve up that classic Firebird tone. The handwired CTS electronics and a Switchcraft 3-way selector deliver a healthy dose of classic rock sounds.

Historic Hardware

This Murphy Lab Firebird V locks in the tone with an ABR-1 adjustable bridge with a vintage-accurate Maestro Vibrola. Completing the historic look are Deluxe banjo tuners and heavily aged nickel hardware.

Authentically Aged Finish

Tom Murphy was instrumental in setting up the Gibson Custom Shop. For the last 25 years, he’s perfected the art and science of aging instruments. Murphy’s team gives this Firebird V a Heavy aged finish—you’ll see dings, pick trails and areas with flaking finish. The edges of the instrument are softened throughout.

The Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1963 Firebird V comes with a certificate of authenticity and an aged brown and pink Lifton reissue 5-latch hard case.
Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1963 Firebird V With Maestro Vibrola Heavy Aged Electric Guitar Antique Frost Blue
Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1963 Firebird V With Maestro Vibrola Heavy Aged Electric Guitar Antique Frost Blue
Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1963 Firebird V With Maestro Vibrola Heavy Aged Electric Guitar Antique Frost Blue

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Multi-piece mahogany/walnut neck-thru design
  • Alnico V mini-humbucker pickups
  • Deluxe banjo tuners
  • Hot-stamped 3-ply pickguard
  • Heavily aged with the Murphy Lab aging process
  • Tremolo bridge
  • Hard shell case included
warning

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

collapse expand iconSpecs

Body
  • Body Type: Offset Solid Body
  • Body wood: Multi-piece Mahogany/Walnut
  • Body finish: Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck
  • Neck shape: C
  • Neck wood: Multi-piece Mahogany/Walnut
  • Scale length: 24.75"
  • Truss rod: Vintage
  • Neck finish: Aged Nitrocellulose lacquer
Fingerboard
  • Material: Indian rosewood
  • Radius: 12"
  • Fret size: Vintage-style
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Inlays: Celluloid Trapezoid
  • Nut width/material: 1.687"/Nylon
Electronics
  • Configuration: HH
  • Neck: Proprietary Humbucker
  • Bridge: Proprietary Humbucker
  • Control layout: Individual volume, Individual tone
  • Pickup switch: 3-Way
Hardware
  • Bridge type: Tremolo/Vibrato
  • Bridge design: Vintage-style individual saddle
  • Tailpiece: Vibrato
  • Tuning machines: Vintage-style
  • Color: Nickel
Other
  • Number of strings: 6 String
  • Case: Hardshell case
  • Orientation: Right-handed
  • Country of Origin: United States

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