Gibson Custom Dove 1963 Murphy Lab Light Aged Dark Natural

A Square-Shouldered Icon Revisited by the Murphy Lab

Introduced in the early 1960s, the Dove established itself as one of the most recognizable square-shouldered acoustic guitars. The 1963 Dove Light Aged captures the spirit of the early models and enhances it with light aging by Murphy Lab, offering the character of an instrument seasoned by decades without sacrificing the reliability of contemporary craftsmanship.

Who Is It For and What Styles?

Ideal for intermediate to professional musicians, this maple-bodied dreadnought excels in powerful strumming, precise flatpicking, and vocal/guitar accompaniment. Its natural range comfortably covers rock, folk, country, and pop, with enough dynamics for both stage and studio.

Sound

The combination of thermally aged Sitka spruce top and carved X-bracing delivers quick response, firm lows, and singing sustain. The maple body and long scale length 25.5" / 647.7 mm provide a bright attack, sparkling highs, and superior projection, brighter and more expansive than a Hummingbird which is more mid-focused. The result is an articulate, clear, and full guitar, perfect for carrying a mix without getting lost in it.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

A set of steel acoustic strings in 12-53 gauge (phosphor bronze) will enhance the Dove's projection and balance; a case or soundhole humidifier will preserve wood stability; an acoustic strap with lace will ensure comfortable playing; a standard 6-string capo will complete the live performance arsenal. The instrument comes with a vintage-style hard case, eliminating the need for an additional case purchase.

Technical specifications

Category	Hollow body	Strings	Steel
Left handed	No	Nbr of strings	6

Shape	Square-shouldered Dreadnought "Dove"	Nut material	Bone
Top	Thermally aged Sitka spruce	Inlays	Mother-of-pearl parallelograms
Back/Sides	Flamed maple, Cherry finish	Bridge	"Dove", rosewood with two mother-of-pearl doves
Bracing	Traditional carved X; hot hide glue	Saddle	Bone
Binding	Multi-ply on top, multi-ply on back; single-ply on fingerboard	Bridge pins	Bone
Color	"Dark Natural" (top), Cherry back/sides	Pickguard	"Dove" with stamped vines and flowers and mother-of-pearl dove
Material	Mahogany	Tuners	Kluson Waffleback
Profile	Round	Hardware finish	Nickel
Fingerboard	Indian rosewood	Finish	Murphy Lab Light Aged; lightly aged hardware
Scale length	25.5" / 647.7 mm	Headstock	Gibson logo and mother-of-pearl crown inlay; white truss rod cover bordered in black "DOVE"
Nut width	1.687" / 42.85 mm	Case	Vintage-style hard case, black exterior and gold interior
Number of frets	20