Murphy Labs finish defects

Rob1742

Just thinking if you did have a non dealer one of these, it would be like driving around in a Prima Polonez outside of warranty. You could literally see the beads of sweat on the drivers foreheads. 

HandwrittenHero

TTBZ said:

Isn't this the whole point of a Murphy Labs Gibson?

No, the idea is for the finish to look aged and worn like an older guitar. What people seem to be describing is the finish reacting badly and actually just coming off the guitar at points where it looks to have reacted strongly to whatever they're doing to age it. There's speculation as to what's actually causing it but I think a fair summary is the finish is not as well adhered to the guitar as it should be.

stickyfiddle

I must admit I initially lolled at the title but some of those in the MLP thread are atrocious. 

Danielsguitars

I think it'll be the sealer coats causing this imo, if they've slapped it on fast and thick it'll flake off easily enough, nitro doesn't just flake off if it's sprayed correctly.

I've always said good ageing takes time and doesn't fall off but it's a factory churning it out so I'm not surprised.

HandwrittenHero

Danielsguitars said:

I think it'll be the sealer coats causing this imo, if they've slapped it on fast and thick it'll flake off easily enough, nitro doesn't just flake off if it's sprayed correctly.

I've always said good ageing takes time and doesn't fall off but it's a factory churning it out so I'm not surprised.

It’s not a factory it’s a lab. They have white coats and science (presumably)

Danielsguitars

HandwrittenHero said:

Danielsguitars said:

I think it'll be the sealer coats causing this imo, if they've slapped it on fast and thick it'll flake off easily enough, nitro doesn't just flake off if it's sprayed correctly.

I've always said good ageing takes time and doesn't fall off but it's a factory churning it out so I'm not surprised.

It’s not a factory it’s a lab. They have white coats and science (presumably)

Yeah and it's nitro supposedly, it takes much longer to harden, I wouldn't believe a word that comes out of a factory, it's big business nothing more.

I've been ageing stuff for years so I know what works, you can only do so much to speed things up, it doesn't flake or fall off, if you don't mis treat it it doesn't check either.

JezWynd

Danielsguitars said:

I think it'll be the sealer coats causing this imo, if they've slapped it on fast and thick it'll flake off easily enough, nitro doesn't just flake off if it's sprayed correctly.

I've always said good ageing takes time and doesn't fall off but it's a factory churning it out so I'm not surprised.

Can't argue with that. 

HandwrittenHero

Danielsguitars said:

HandwrittenHero said:

Danielsguitars said:

I think it'll be the sealer coats causing this imo, if they've slapped it on fast and thick it'll flake off easily enough, nitro doesn't just flake off if it's sprayed correctly.

I've always said good ageing takes time and doesn't fall off but it's a factory churning it out so I'm not surprised.

It’s not a factory it’s a lab. They have white coats and science (presumably)

Yeah and it's nitro supposedly, it takes much longer to harden, I wouldn't believe a word that comes out of a factory, it's big business nothing more.

I've been ageing stuff for years so I know what works, you can only do so much to speed things up, it doesn't flake or fall off, if you don't mis treat it it doesn't check either.

I should have put an /s to make it really obvious the angle I was coming from. Personally I can’t read Murphy Labs without my mind wandering to Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker.

JezWynd

Another big Gibson blowout on the horizon⸮ I suppose they'll have to do some sums to work out the refinishing costs vs massive discounting or write-off.

Moe_Zambeek

I imagine they might pull inventory from shops and fix to try and limit the damage caused by their premium-finished, same price as a Ford Fiesta, range shedding their paint within 6 months of release. 

If they don’t do that, well...

ThePrettyDamned

Are they not designed to like relic and stuff? 

Like, that's literally what you're paying for. One of the main reasons people cite buying a relic beyond preferring the feel is not worrying about dings and scratches - clearly not the case for some people.

My affordable range Gibson tribute satin still has it's finish, so I guess they have a better finish than the Murphy labs ones?  

WezV

ThePrettyDamned said:

Are they not designed to like relic and stuff? 

Like, that's literally what you're paying for. One of the main reasons people cite buying a relic beyond preferring the feel is not worrying about dings and scratches - clearly not the case for some people.

My affordable range Gibson tribute satin still has it's finish, so I guess they have a better finish than the Murphy labs ones?  

Dings, scratches, some flaking are to be expected on old finishes

Buy an actual vintage LP custom and flaking, especially on the neck, is pretty authentic.


But no, flaking isn't really a desirable part of an aged finish generally.    I would tolerate a little around some of the added wear, as its a continuation of what is already there.... aged finishes will continue to age, thats fine.

Falling off without any actual playing is not good at all

ThePrettyDamned

WezV said:

ThePrettyDamned said:

Are they not designed to like relic and stuff? 

Like, that's literally what you're paying for. One of the main reasons people cite buying a relic beyond preferring the feel is not worrying about dings and scratches - clearly not the case for some people.

My affordable range Gibson tribute satin still has it's finish, so I guess they have a better finish than the Murphy labs ones?  

Dings, scratches, some flaking are to be expected on old finishes

Buy an actual vintage LP custom and flaking, especially on the neck, is pretty authentic.


But no, flaking isn't really a desirable part of an aged finish generally.    I would tolerate a little around some of the added wear, as its a continuation of what is already there.... aged finishes will continue to age, thats fine.

Falling off without any actual playing is not good at all

Ah it's falling off without being played? I assumed they were being played heavily, seeing as they're Pro-level instruments.

If I had one in a case with finish falling off I'd be irate. Especially as cheap gibsons are pretty well finished... 

SteveRobinson

ThePrettyDamned said:

Ah it's falling off without being played? I assumed they were being played heavily, seeing as they're Pro-level instruments.

These guitars aren't for playing, they're investments

stonevibe

Dumb looking guitars for dumb amounts of money... 

HandwrittenHero

SteveRobinson said:

ThePrettyDamned said:

Ah it's falling off without being played? I assumed they were being played heavily, seeing as they're Pro-level instruments.

LOL! These guitars aren't for playing, they're investments

Admittedly now I can’t tell either if this should have had an /s! I’d argue they’d make a poor investment since it’s felt like there’s been no shortage of them. Ironically if they pulled the line on the back of this however…

I’m going to use the word aspirational (then take a bath because it’s a bit too markety) since I do think there’s supposed to be a world where someone saves up and buys something like this as a dream instrument, or goes in for one to mark a big life event (so my R9 was paid from inheritance from grandparents, is named in memory of them etc). I’m not so naive as to think the line isn’t also trying to hit people who can just quite simply afford to spend big anyway.

I’d divorce from the idea of guitar price points being relative to playing ability though…it’s more a case of companies having an instrument at every price point. Eg Fender would probably like you to buy custom shop to be honest, will settle for you walking out with American Original if that’s your speed but ultimately would absolutely prefer you have a nice Squier and think down the line maybe the Player series than you buy someone else’s option that more closely suited your budget.

Jez6345789

Well we know Gibson has not hit rock bottom yet, as he has not become a PRS Endorsee lol 

It seems regardless of the driver Gibson seems to remain a train wreck in waiting.

Not sure it really needed Murphy Lab 

WezV

I wonder if in 20 years they will be more valuable with the original flawed finish, or after the refinish.


I'm thinking of the 79 anniversary strats which got recalled for finish issues.    I have seen people ask more for the non refinished ones before on the grounds they are more collectible.

RaymondLin

Some people find relic as a good way so the first ding is done and not worry about more, that’s true but I feel the people who buy ML are not the same crowd, it’s almost the same mentality as PRS crowd.  They bought it for what it is and want to stay as it is.

tone1

Perhaps Mark Agnesi plays every one of them before shipping.... whilst wearing his heavy leather jacket with a f-off great big zip....