NAMM 2021 isn't taking place in the physical realm this year, but you'll find all the hottest January gear launches in our guide to the biggest guitar, amp and pedal releases of 2021 so far.
Back in 2019, Gibson launched Murphy Lab – a new division of its Custom Shop focused on creating premium aged electric guitars – in collaboration with guitar relic'ing expert Tom Murphy.
And now, following a small tease by Gibson CMO Cesar Gueikian last year, the guitar giant has offered fans an in-depth look at what the division's been working on.
Says Gueikian, “The Gibson Custom Shop is the pinnacle of craftsmanship, quality and sound excellence. Each instrument celebrates Gibson’s legacy.
“The Murphy Lab, one of our Gibson Labs, is where we re-imagine and implement new ways of delivering the Gibson Custom Shop historic experience. Master Artisan Tom Murphy brings his expertise, authentic style and his passion for building historically accurate guitars to the Murphy Lab Collection.”
Check out some of the first offerings from Gibson's Murphy Lab below.
![Lerxst Grace [left] and Godin 5th Avenue TL Gold Foil: Grace is a red HSS S-style with a mirror pickguard and a Vega tremolo system. The 5th Avenue model to its right sits beside a houseplant and is an arch-topped hollowbody with f-holes and gold-foil pickups.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6w2NUh4RxvR5ajrc52sFCB-840-80.jpg.webp)
“If you thought Godin only did lower-end ‘functional’ guitars, this might make you think differently. We certainly did”: Godin 5th Avenue TL Gold Foil and Lerxst by Godin Grace review
“Scrapes and dings that let you know this axe has been around the block a few times”: Charvel gives its hot-rodded So Cal Superstrat the heavy relic treatment – and it won’t just appeal to shredders
