The Gibson Custom Shop Made 2 Measure Murphy Lab ’59 Les Paul Standard, finished in a breathtaking Murphy Painted Ultra Heavy Aged Kindred Burst, is a masterclass in vintage authenticity, craftsmanship, and expressive artistry. This extraordinary instrument brings together historically accurate construction techniques, premium tonewoods, and the dramatic visual character that only the Murphy Lab can deliver. Adding rare significance, this example is noted as one of the final Gibson guitars personally painted by Tom Murphy, marking it as a true collector’s piece now that Murphy himself is no longer painting instruments. His legendary eye for color, depth, and patina is captured beautifully in the Kindred Burst—a finish that evokes the warm, time-worn hues of some of the most cherished original Bursts.

The body follows the iconic 1959 formula with a lightweight solid mahogany back paired to a handpicked two-piece figured maple top, selected for its striking flame and tonal clarity. All major joints, including the maple-to-mahogany bond, are assembled using period-correct hide-glue fit, enhancing resonance and sustain. The guitar is finished in nitrocellulose lacquer, which, after being painted and aged, provides the unmistakably thin, organic feel of an original late-’50s Gibson. The Ultra Heavy Aged treatment intensifies the visual character with deep lacquer checking, worn-through edges, subtle discoloration, and realistic signs of long-term play wear—capturing decades of history in a single instrument.

The neck is built from solid mahogany and features a classic long neck tenon, delivering exceptional sustain and structural integrity true to the vintage originals. The celebrated Carmelita Fine Carve neck profile offers a beautifully balanced shape that fits comfortably in the hand, while the “Do Not Roll” specification preserves the sharper fingerboard edge characteristic of true ’50s Les Pauls. It is topped with a solid rosewood fingerboard, also hide-glue fitted, and maintains the traditional 24.75" (62.865 cm) scale length—contributing to the warm, expressive feel that defines a great Les Paul.

A pair of unpotted Custombucker pickups delivers the unmistakable sonic footprint of the best late-’50s PAF humbuckers. With openness, sensitivity, harmonic richness, and a touch-responsive bloom, these pickups bring the guitar to life—ideal for everything from soulful cleans to searing, vintage-inspired overdrive. The electronics remain fully vintage-accurate, featuring two 500K CTS volume pots, two 500K CTS tone pots, a hand-wired harness with Bumblebee capacitors, and a Switchcraft toggle switch, ensuring both vintage tone and modern reliability.

The hardware perfectly complements the historic build, including a nickel-finished ABR-1 bridge and a lightweight aluminum tailpiece, both essentials for capturing the resonance and feel of a proper ’59 Standard. The guitar ships with Gibson’s classic .010–.046 string set, offering a balanced playing feel right out of the case.

This remarkable instrument comes housed in a Brown/Pink Reissue case, styled after the iconic Lifton cases that accompanied original Bursts, and includes a Certificate of Authenticity verifying its Custom Shop Made 2 Measure pedigree. With its vintage-correct construction, Murphy Lab artistry, captivating Kindred Burst finish, and the rare distinction of being one of the last guitars personally painted by Tom Murphy, this ’59 Les Paul Standard stands as a stunning fusion of tone, history, and collectibility—an heirloom-level instrument crafted for the most discerning players and collectors.