Murphy & Co.
COLLECTION STORYOl’ Ma Belle: The Goldtop with a Secret
1954 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop
A scratched telephone number gave this 1954 Goldtop a name—and left us with a mystery.
Read the story ↗Murphy & Co. / THE COLLECTION JOURNAL
THE COLLECTION JOURNAL
The instrument.
The life around it.
Every guitar has details worth noticing. These stories follow the people, the music, and the surviving records behind five instruments in our collection.
Browse the stories
COLLECTION STORY
COLLECTION STORYSugar Baby: A White Gretsch, a Wild Ride
White Gretsch Billy-Bo Jupiter
Sturgill Simpson’s signed letter and a white Gretsch in the SNL spotlight. Follow the record behind Sugar Baby.
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COLLECTION STORYBefore the Spotlight: The Sutherland Sonex
Kiefer Sutherland-associated Gibson Sonex-180 Deluxe
Kiefer Sutherland remembers saving for his first Gibson. A Sonex, a milestone, and a collection connection to explore.
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COLLECTION STORYA Nashville Cat: Steve Gibson’s Strat
Steve Gibson and the Fender anniversary Stratocaster
A Nashville Cat. A lifetime in music. Meet Steve Gibson and explore the Stratocaster associated with him in our collection.
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COLLECTION STORYTime Has Made a Change: The Rhodes Family Martin
Vernon Ray Rhodes and his 1947 Martin D-28
A trip to Nashville. A teacher who helped. A family that kept the Martin.
Read the story ↗These stories belong to the collection. For pricing and current availability, please contact Murphy & Co.
THE MURPHY & CO. COLLECTION EDITIONS
Every instrument.
A story of its own.
Explore the collection through its photographs and presentation artwork. Each story brings together what we know, how we know it, and what we’re still discovering.
Photographs and presentation artwork are identified within each story, alongside its sources and open questions. Ask us about pricing and current availability.