Gibson Custom Shop Kirk Hammett “Greeny” 1959 Les Paul Standard Murphy Lab Ultra Heavy Aged Sunburst

Gibson Custom Shop Kirk Hammett "Greeny" 1959 Les Paul Standard Murphy Lab Ultra Heavy Aged Sunburst

Three Legendary Guitarists, One Legendary Guitar

Gibson Custom Shop is the pinnacle of craftsmanship, quality, and sound excellence. Each instrument celebrates Gibson’s legacy through accuracy, authenticity, and attention to detail.

The story of “Greeny” is shrouded in mystery, but few guitars are as illustrious. Greeny is one of the most iconic original Les Paul Standards ever made, with a unique sound as recognizable as the guitar itself. Previously owned by Peter Green, it was used throughout his time with Fleetwood Mac and later sold to Gary Moore, who used it for three decades with Thin Lizzy and as a solo artist. Now owned by Kirk Hammett, Greeny has passed through the hands of three legendary guitarists. Its distinctive sound is partly from the out-of-phase middle switch position due to the neck pickup’s reversed magnetic polarity. The Kirk Hammett “Greeny” 1959 Les Paul Standard from the Gibson Custom Shop is artfully aged to match the original by the Murphy Lab and was inspired by this legendary guitar. With its Indian rosewood fretboard, it gives players around the world the opportunity to experience some of the magic of “Greeny” for themselves. A brown/pink Lifton™ reissue 5-latch case is also included.

The Legend of “Greeny”

The 1959 Les Paul Standard known as “Greeny” is one of the most storied instruments ever made, with a unique sound as recognizable as the guitar itself. Untold millions have heard its tone on stage or in the studio, played by a trio of famous owners: Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green, Thin Lizzy guitarist Gary Moore, and Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett.

Peter Green, its eponymous original owner, played Greeny throughout his time with the Bluesbreakers and Fleetwood Mac. While tinkering with the guitar, he accidentally reinstalled the neck pickup backward, but it’s the reverse magnetic polarity of the neck pickup magnet that is, in part, responsible for creating the distinctive, out-of-phase whine in the middle switch position that haunted Green’s solos on songs like “The Super-Natural” and “Black Magic Woman.”

Around 1970, Green met Gary Moore, whose band was opening for Fleetwood Mac. After loaning Moore the guitar for a few days, Green offered to sell it to him, and the torch was passed. Over the next 35 years, Moore played Greeny with the band Thin Lizzy and on solo albums, including Blues for Greeny, a tribute album to Peter Green.

Moore sold Greeny in 2006 for reportedly around a million dollars. It passed through the hands of various collectors until 2014, when a private dealer brought it to the hotel room of Kirk Hammett. The Metallica guitarist sought advice from none other than Jimmy Page, who urged him to buy the legendary Les Paul Standard. Hammett has played Greeny ever since.

CUSTOM SHOP KIRK HAMMETT “GREENY”

1959 Les Paul Standard

• Murphy Lab Aged
• Lightweight Mahogany Body with Figured Top
• Custom Greeny Profile Mahogany Neck
• Indian Rosewood Fingerboard
• Neck Pickup: Custom Greeny Bucker with Flipped Alnico 2 Magnet; Reverse Mounted
• Bridge Pickup: Custom Greeny Bucker Alnico 2 Magnet
• Brown/Pink Lifton Reissue 5-Latch Case