Murphy Lab Artist Series: John Osborne

In this episode of the Murphy Lab Artist Series, guitarist John Osborne from Brothers Osborne talks about old guitars, how they age, and their little idiosyncrasies as he tries the new Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab-aged guitars and shares his thoughts with viewers. As he plays the guitars, John comments about how he loves the way vintage guitars check, the various ways the finish checking occurs, and how it makes each guitar special. As he tries out a 1963 Firebird V With Maestro Vibrola from the Murphy Lab, he discusses the "insane" checking and notes the way the guitar "rings" as he plays it. He also says that "if you told me this was a 1963 I would 100% believe you." He tries out a Murphy Lab-aged 1959 Les Paul Standard and offers his thoughts about the "really good weight." John remarks that "a guitar eventually has to learn that it's no longer a tree; that takes a lot of time and a lot of playing" and that while the Murphy Lab-aged 1959 Les Paul Standard "still thinks it's a tree, it doesn't sound like it - at all." He also talks about his first vintage Gibson (a 1968 SG) and how it was shipped to him with no case or box - just wrapped in bubble wrap. Fortunately, it survived the trip. He still has and cherishes the guitar today and says he'll never get rid of it. As he tries out a Murphy Lab 1964 SG, he comments about the feel of the neck profile, and notes "this is what you want." He also tries out an ultra-light aged 1959 ES-335 and calls it "amazing." He goes on to say, "you're on to something - what's the secret?" John says he "loves all of them" as he returns to playing the 1963 Firebird some more and comments, "this is my new favorite guitar in the world." Finally, he leaves us with this closing thought: "You took the time to make a spectacular guitar...on top of that, you made it so playable, and so enjoyable, and so fun. It's inspiring. A great guitar makes you not want to put it down, and I never want to put this guitar down." For more information about John Osborne, be sure to check out the Brothers Osborne website at https://www.brothersosborne.com/. For more information about the Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab, visit https://hello.gibson.com/murphy-lab/.