Gibson Custom 1929 Nick Lucas Special Reissue Murphy Lab Light Aged

Nick Lucas was one of the most famous American artists of the 1920s. Known as “The Crooning Troubadour,” he captivated international audiences with his elegant and innovative style. He was the first musician to elevate the guitar not just as an accompanying instrument but also as a solo protagonist, paving the way for the modern culture of guitar solos.

During his career, Frank Campbell, who was the General Sales Manager at Gibson at the time, recognized Lucas's value and popularity and invited him to play instruments from the company. The artist accepted on the condition that Gibson would create a guitar according to his specific specifications. This collaboration led to the creation of the Nick Lucas Special in 1926, the first "signature" guitar ever produced by Gibson.

Lucas designed a guitar with a compact yet deeper body to achieve richer bass tones and a full sound. Over time, the Nick Lucas Special changed materials and construction details while maintaining its warm, powerful, and unmistakable tone. It is still considered a perfect balance of elegance, innovation, and sound quality.

Crafted in the Gibson Custom Shop in Bozeman, Montana, the Gibson Custom 1929 Nick Lucas Special Reissue Murphy Lab Light Aged faithfully reproduces one of the models originally built to the artist's specifications. The result is a high-quality instrument that combines historical significance, excellent sonic performance, and professional-level capabilities.

The top, made from solid "Thermally Aged" Sitka spruce, is paired with solid mahogany back and sides, while the mahogany neck features a comfortable "C" profile.

The rosewood fingerboard, equipped with 20 frets and a 12" radius, is adorned with "Nick Lucas" inlays made of mother-of-pearl.

The Gibson Custom 1929 Nick Lucas Special Reissue Murphy Lab Light Aged stands out for its extremely defined and balanced tone, achieved through the combination of selected woods and its deeper body compared to the traditional L-00. This configuration ensures a rich tonal response that is harmonically balanced, with clear highs and full lows, while maintaining the proportions and classic elegance of the original model.

In particular, this version features a Murphy Lab Light Aged treatment. The Murphy Lab perfectly recreates, through natural, non-manual processes, the same aging conditions of the finish found on original vintage instruments. The ultra-thin finishes, characterized by a noticeable and consistent "crackle," provide an absolutely authentic feel. It truly feels like holding a vintage original instrument, but with all the quality and performance that only the Gibson Custom Shop can offer today.