A Unique Collaboration between Gibson and Chuck Levin’s – The Gibson Murphy Lab 1959 Les Paul Standard in Ultra Light Aged Royal Tea Burst
Tom Murphy, Master Artisan and namesake of the Gibson Murphy Lab, has been replicating the vibe and character of vintage instruments for decades. With a huge depth of knowledge, passion for the instrument, and of course creativity, Tom and his team have developed the tools and techniques to recreate guitars from the Gibson Golden Era.
Everything from reverse-engineering the original formula of nitrocellulose lacquer used during the 50s and 60s, to 3D-scanning original instruments from the era, to identifying where and how these iconic guitars acquire wear and tear. The Murphy Lab team has thought through every element of these instruments so that when you open the case, your Murphy Lab will look, feel, and sound like an heirloom.
The 1959 Les Paul Standard isn’t so much a tribute as it is an exact clone of the original. Using modern tech to replicate the exact dimensions and construction of its components, every conceivable element of the original has been recreated here. Featuring a slightly thinner neck and larger frets than a 1958, the subtle differences end there as the 1959 Standard’s flamed maple top adds visual depth and complexity to the guitar’s iconic sunburst finish.
Chuck Levin’s was founded in 1958 and saw its early successes while the original versions of these Murphy Lab Les Pauls were leaving Gibson’s shop. Like the Gibson Les Paul, Chuck Levin’s has endured and thrived for decades since and become a legend to many musicians. To celebrate our 65th Anniversary and our shared history with Gibson Guitars, Chuck Levin’s has partnered with the Gibson Murphy Lab to bring you a collection of amazing instruments, built just like they were back when Chuck Levin’s was just a small music shop in the middle of DC.
Ultra Light Aging
The Murphy Lab’s Ultra Light aging produces a guitar that looks and feels like an heirloom instrument that has been well cared for, while still having that unmistakable patina that only comes with age. Murphy Lab artisans go in with a subtle touch, introducing minimal lacquer checking along with Vintage Original Sheen (VOS) hardware and hand-rolled fingerboard binding.
SPECIFICATIONS
Body
- Body Material: Mahogany
- Top Material: Highly Figured, Hand Picked 2-Piece Maple
Neck
- Neck Material: Mahogany
- Fingerboard Material: 1pc Indian Rosewood
- Scale Length: 24.75″
- Profile: Standard
- Radius: 12″
- Nut: Nylon
- Nut Width: 1.687″
- End of Board Width: 2.24″
- Inlays: Reissue Mother of Pearl Trapezoid
- Fretwire: Reissue
Binding
- Body Top: .09 Cream
- Fingerboard: .04 Cream
Hardware
- Hardware Material: Nickel Aged
- Tuning Machine Heads: Kluson Reissue
- Bridge: ABR-1 Non Wire
- Tailpiece: Light Weight w/Long Stud Anchor
- Jackplate: True Historic Reissue
- Truss Rod Cover: True Historic From Advanced
- Pickguard: True Historic R9
- Knobs: True Historic Gold Top Hats
- Mounting Rings: True Historic Cream
- Switch Tip: True Historic Amber
- Switch Washer: True Historic Cream
- Backplates: 2019 Reissue + CS Medallion
Electronics
- Bridge Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted); Zebra Coils under covers
- Neck Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted); Zebra Coils under covers
- Controls:
- 2 Volume
- 2 Tone
- 3-Way Switch
- Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
- Vintage Taper Potentiometers
Miscellaneous
- Finish: Royal Tea Burst
- Serial: #92207
- Case: VOS-GWW Aged Case
- Extra Backplate in Case
- Exclusive COA for Chuck Levin’s
Manufacturer: Gibson
Model: LPR59PSL17638
SKU: I681250-N-92207-0-WHXD
UPC: 711106089379
We are Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center
Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC’s legendary music shop. Family-owned and operated since 1958. Buy gear the way it was meant to be bought, from a store that’s been there through it all and has the vibe to prove it. We’re staffed with musicians and industry experts, people that live and breathe music gear. Our mission is to help you find the right gear for your project, that thing that will bring you the most joy out of what you do. We’re an authorized dealer for almost every brand, we stock items the other stores don’t, so you can try before you buy. Stop by our Wheaton, MD showroom and see for yourself.
Contact us if you have questions about one of our listings or if you need help finding the right piece of gear.












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