Gibson Les Paul Standard 1959 Kirk Hammett “Greeny” Greeny Burst

In stock

It is one of the most famous Les Pauls in rock history and has passed through the hands of many famous musicians. Today Greeny, the name of this very special Gibson, belongs to Kirk Hammett. Until it found a new owner in the 2000s, the instrument underwent a remarkable journey (and an enormous increase in value!) – reason enough to take a closer look at its history.

Greeny got her nickname because of her original owner. His name was Peter Green and he became famous as a guitarist with Fleetwood Mac, among others.

Les Pauls built in 1959 have something magical about them – but the model that Green bought in the 1960s for a price equivalent to 300 dollars today was something very special indeed. This primarily has to do with the pickups – or rather an out-of-phase circuit that provides a nasal sound similar to a Stratocaster. Green explained that he had modified the pickup himself. Others, however, assume that it could be a lucky production error. Whatever the actual reason for the special circuitry, it gave Greeny an unmistakable sound – which can also be heard on several Fleetwood Mac recordings, such as the song “Albatross”.

In the 1970s, Green, who was struggling with severe mental problems at the time, lent the guitar to a young, up-and-coming guitarist called Gary Moore. He later sold the guitar to Moore – for the same price he had paid for it at the time. And again Greeny made rock history – because Moore used them on several Thin Lizzy songs as well as on solo pieces.

Financial problems forced Moore to sell Greeny in 2006. He is said to have received between 750,000 and 1.2 million dollars for this. Over the next few years, Greeny found a home with private guitar collectors and disappeared from the scene. Until 2014, when it became known that the instrument had once again ended up with a famous guitarist.

None other than Metallica’s guitarist, Kirk Hammett, bought the guitar from a collector. He did not treat it as a museum piece, but used it on various occasions. Apparently he broke Greenys neck again on one of these occasions….

This is certainly a guitar that should enter its well-deserved retirement. I hope Mr. Hammett sees it the same way.

We are delighted to be able to offer you the highly limited reissue of this legendary guitar: The Les Paul Standard 1959 Kirk Hammett “Greeny”.