Having just turned 81 Matt "Guitar" Murphy has embarked on a new career as a guitar designer. Matt is working with Mike Delaney of Delaney Guitar's to produce the MGM Signature Series. The first model will be debuted by Matt on the Legendary Blues Cruise in January. Each guitar will be custom built for the induvidual to Matt's specs. Expected retail to be under 2000.00 with two models planned initially.


lder Alder body
Figured Maple top
Ocean blue aniline dye/nitro-cellulose lacquer finish
Natural Figured Maple pickguard with Matt “Guitar” Murphy’s signature
Natural edge binding
Figured Maple/Rosewood neck
Soft “C” neck profile
Compound radius fretboard
25.5 scale length
CreamT “Custom 61” pickups
Hipshot bridge
Grover tuners
Master volume and tone
Three-way switch
$2100.00 + tax and Shipping.

Murphy said, "My fans have always been very special to me. At this time in my life seeing musicians playing my licks having studied my work for decades makes me feel a special kind of appreciation. Lately I have had the opportunity to perform with some of the young guitar slingers in the music that have learned from me. While I am happy and grateful to be out performing again I realize my time has passed. My legacy will have many phases to it and now I want to write a chapter called Passing The Torch."
"I have signed on with Delaney Guitars to design a signature model. This project has been a lot of fun working on design ideas I have been percolating for years. With Mike Delaney's help we put together a well balanced smooth neck action with a warm tone. Click here for the spec sheet"

Matt Murphy was born in Sunflower, Mississippi. He was educated in Memphis, where his father worked at the Peabody Hotel. He played with Howlin' Wolf as early as 1948, Little Junior Parker was also in the band at the time. By 1952, Murphy was in Chicago, where he began his long association with Memphis Slim by playing on his dates for United Records and Vee Jay Records, including the album, At The Gate of Horn (1959).
You can see the look on his face and hear the excitment in his voice.  Like a kid with a new toy!  Bigger toys for bigger boys.





Details will appear on delaneyguitars.com and mattguitarmurphy.net when the LRBC docks January 29th.