The Gibson Custom Shop Made 2 Measure Murphy Lab ’59 Les Paul Standard, finished in a stunning Murphy Painted Ultra Heavy Aged Orange Lemon Fade, is an exceptional recreation of one of the most revered electric guitars in history. This instrument is built to exacting vintage specifications, using traditional methods and hand-selected tonewoods to deliver the feel, tone, and character of a true late-1950s Burst. Adding to its significance, this example is noted as one of the last Gibson guitars personally painted by Tom Murphy, marking it as an especially rare and desirable piece now that Murphy himself is no longer painting instruments. His influence, artistry, and unmistakable eye for vintage authenticity are embedded in every detail of this finish.

The body construction remains faithful to the golden-era recipe: a lightweight solid mahogany body capped with a handpicked two-piece figured maple top, joined with hide-glue fit for optimal resonance and tonal integrity. The breathtaking Orange Lemon Fade finish highlights the flame of the maple top with remarkable depth and dimension, while the Ultra Heavy Aged treatment brings the instrument to life with realistic lacquer checking, edge wear, and patina that mirror decades of real use. The nitrocellulose lacquer finish ensures a thin, breathable coating that enhances resonance and ages gracefully over time.

The neck is crafted from solid mahogany and features the historically accurate long neck tenon, a crucial element in sustain and structural stability. The celebrated Carmelita Fine Carve neck profile—measuring .879" at the 1st fret and .975" at the 2nd fret—offers a perfect blend of vintage authenticity and modern comfort. The “Do Not Roll” specification preserves the sharp fingerboard edge profile of original ’59 Les Pauls. The neck is topped with a solid rosewood fingerboard, also assembled with hide glue, and built to the classic 24.75" (62.865 cm) scale length for that unmistakable Gibson feel.

Tonally, this Made 2 Measure Les Paul reaches deep into PAF territory with its pair of unpotted Custombucker pickups. These meticulously voiced pickups deliver the airy, open, harmonically rich sound that made late-’50s humbuckers legendary. Responsive, dynamic, and full of bloom, they capture everything from sweet cleans to snarling overdrive. The electronics are entirely period-correct, featuring two 500K CTS volume pots, two 500K CTS tone pots, a hand-wired harness with Bumblebee capacitors, and a Switchcraft toggle switch—all designed to deliver vintage accuracy and reliability.

The hardware continues the vintage-correct theme with a nickel-finished ABR-1 bridge and lightweight aluminum tailpiece, both critical components for achieving authentic resonance and sustain. The guitar arrives strung with Gibson’s standard .010–.046 string set, offering a familiar feel right out of the case.

This exceptional instrument comes housed in a Brown/Pink Reissue case, modeled after vintage Lifton designs, and includes a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming its Made 2 Measure provenance. With its stunning Orange Lemon Fade, masterful Ultra Heavy Aged treatment, historically precise construction, and the added distinction of being one of the final guitars personally painted by Tom Murphy, this ’59 Les Paul Standard stands as a remarkable fusion of craftsmanship, tone, collectibility, and vintage spirit—an heirloom-level guitar in every sense.

Other specifications include:

• Neck Material Solid Mahogany, Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
• Neck Profile Carmelita Fine Carve-Do Not Roll (.879 1st fret -.975 2nd fret)
• Fingerboard Solid Rosewood, Hide Glue Fit
• Scale Length 24.75”, 62.865cm
• Body Material Lightweight Solid Mahogany Body, Handpicked 2 Piece Figured Maple Top, Hide Glue Fit
• Finish Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Hardware Finish Nickel
• Bridge ABR-1Tailpiece Lightweight Aluminum
• Neck pickup Custombucker Unpotted
• Bridge pickup Custombucker Unpotted
• Controls 2 500K CTS Volume Pots, 2 500K CTS Tone Pots, Hand-Wired Harness with Bumblebee Capacitors, Switchcraft Toggle Switch
• Strings .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
• Case Brown/Pink Reissue
• Accessories Certificate of Authenticity
• LPR59M2M16123
• 8 lbs 12 oz
• #91586

For more information on the Gibson Custom Shop Instrument, please contact us.