Gibson launches the Murphy Lab, dedicated to building historically accurate guitars
New Custom Shop division will be headed up by legendary relic artisan Tom Murphy

Gibson has announced that Tom Murphy, a pioneer in the world of electric guitar relic work, has joined the company to head up the newly-created Murphy Lab, which will function as a division of the Gibson Custom Shop focused on building historically accurate guitars.
In his role as Master Artisan, Murphy will lead the Lab in “re-imagining and implementing new ways of delivering the Gibson Custom Shop historic experience.”
Tom was instrumental in the inception of the Gibson Custom Shop and developed the process of aging
Gibson CMO Cesar Gueikian
Said Gibson CMO Cesar Gueikian, “As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1959 Les Paul Standard, I can’t think of a more exciting time to launch the Murphy Lab under the leadership of Tom, who was instrumental in the inception of the Gibson Custom Shop and developed the process of aging.”
Gibson has also announced the appointment of Sergio Villanueva as Head of Custom Shop. Villanueva comes to the Custom Shop after stints at Taylor and Fender, where he served as Senior Vice-President of Global Manufacturing.
“I am excited to bring Sergio into the Custom Shop for this leadership position at such a pivotal stage for Gibson,” said Gibson CEO James Curleigh.
“Sergio is a respected Luthier who will bring a renewed sense of artistry and operational excellence to the Custom Shop. He is the perfect fit to lead our Custom Shop team into the future.”
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Rich is the co-author of the best-selling Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion. He is also a recording and performing musician, and a former editor of Guitar World magazine and executive editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine. He has authored several additional books, among them Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, the companion to the documentary of the same name.
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