Videos (1)

View Allarrow icon
Gibson Custom Shop | Introducing the Murphy Labplay button

Gibson Custom Shop | Introducing the Murphy Lab

collapse expand iconDescription

The Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1964 SG Standard is a reissue that looks like the real thing—a vintage instrument made in the same year the U.S. met the Beatles. Of course, George Harrison famously played a ’64 SG Standard, as did Eric Clapton, but it's also been the weapon of choice for Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, U2's the Edge and ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. This Standard is meticulously aged in the Murphy Lab with Ultra Light wear. With dual CustomBuckers and a Maestro Vibrola, you'll be able to coax great sound from the get-go. If you've been looking for an absolutely authentic SG Standard, congratulations—Guitar Center has you covered with this Gibson.

’64 SG Standard Reissue Main Features

  • 1-piece lightweight mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck with medium C-shape, Indian rosewood fretboard
  • Dual alnico III CustomBuckers (unpotted), 3-way switch
  • ABR-1 tune-o-matic bridge, Maestro Vibrola, vintage-style tuners
  • Ultra Light aged finish

Lightweight Construction

One of the benefits of a ’60s SG is the way it feels on your shoulders. It doesn't have the same heft as a Les Paul from the same era. The Custom Shop fashioned this instrument from one piece of lightweight mahogany. It's also roughly 1" thinner than a Les Paul, and with edge bevels, more comfortable.

Period-Correct Chunky Neck

When the SG Standard was first released in 1961, Gibson said it had the "fastest neck in the world." It was very thin, but as a result, was also prone to breaking. By 1964, the SG had a beefier neck; this Murphy Lab model shares that same profile, a medium C-shape. It attaches to the body with a long tenon and is set with historically-accurate hide glue. The fretboard is Indian rosewood with extra rolled fingerboard binding and cellulose nitrate trapezoid inlays.

Blast Off With CustomBuckers

The Murphy Lab SG is loaded with a set of hand-wound CustomBuckers. Unpotted and made with alnico III magnets, they capture the magic of original PAF pickups—thick, warm, muscular—but still transparent. They're wired with Black Beauty capacitors and CTS 500K pots.

Historic Hardware

This Gibson is spec'd with a Maestro Vibrola and engraved lyre cover plate, along with an ABR-1 tune-o-matic bridge and Kluson tuners. All of the hardware has a vintage patina courtesy of the Murphy Lab.

Ultra Light Aging

The Murphy Lab is a separate division within the Custom Shop. It's led by Master Artisan Tom Murphy, who has pioneered and perfected the art of aging guitars over the last 30 years. His team gave this Gibson an Ultra Light aging—the finish has lacquer checking, but shows only minimal signs of playing wear. It looks like a guitar that spent most of its life in a case.

The Gibson Custom Murphy Lab ’64 SG Standard Reissue with Maestro Vibrola comes with a certificate of authenticity and a brown and pink reissue 5-latch hardshell case.
Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1964 SG Standard Reissue With Maestro Ultra Light Aged Electric Guitar Cherry Red
Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1964 SG Standard Reissue With Maestro Ultra Light Aged Electric Guitar Cherry Red
Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1964 SG Standard Reissue With Maestro Ultra Light Aged Electric Guitar Cherry Red

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Solid lightweight mahogany body
  • Solid mahogany neck with 22 frets
  • Indian rosewood fingerboard
  • Very lightly aged with the Murphy Lab aging process
  • ABR-1 bridge
  • Two Custombucker Alnico III pickups
  • Hardshell case included
warning

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

collapse expand iconSpecs

Body
  • Body Type: Double-Cutaway Solid Body
  • Body wood: Mahogany
Neck
  • Neck shape: Medium C-Shape 
  • Neck wood: Solid Mahogany
  • Scale length: 24.75"
  • Truss rod: Vintage
Fingerboard
  • Material: Indian rosewood
  • Radius: 12"
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Inlays: Trapezoid
  • Nut width/material: 1.687"/Nylon
Electronics
  • Configuration: HH
  • Neck: Proprietary Humbucker
  • Bridge: Proprietary Humbucker
Hardware
  • Bridge type: Tremolo/Vibrato
  • Tailpiece: Stopbar
  • Tuning machines: Vintage-style
  • Color: Nickel
Other
  • Number of strings: 6 String
  • Case: Hardshell case
  • Orientation: Right-handed
  • Country of Origin: United States

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

5

2 Reviews

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Jamming2
  2. Practicing2
  3. Recording2
  4. Rock Concerts1
  5. Small Venues1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced1
  2. Professional Musician1
Pros
  1. Fun To Play2
  2. Good Feel2
  3. Good Pick Up2
  4. Good Tone2
  5. Solid Electronics2
  • Great guitar ! True to the vintage Gibson 64 standard

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    byBilly

    fromCookeville TN

    Great Murphy lab light aged guitar Plays great . Feels like a vintage guitar Pickups sound hot and clear Gibson custom shop Quality

  • Best guitar i've ever owned

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    byJohn H

    fromNashville TN

    Overall it's just a fun guitar to play. I find myself tweaking less and playing more. I'd borrowed my brother's vintage SG and when i was ready to give it back i decided i was going to get myself an SG. Went into GC to buy the USA model 61 reissue - while they were tweaking it and setting it up for me i went into the platinum room and tried out this 64. It was so resonant and loud and easy to play. The neck is amazing. If you're a gibson fan, save your money and get a Custom Shop one day.

  • Previous
  • 1
  • Next

collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

No results but…

You can be the first to ask a new question.

It may be Answered within 48 hours.