Credit: Ross Halfin.
NASHVILLE (March 28, 2023) For 130 years, Gibson has shaped sound across
generations and genres of music, becoming one of the most relevant, played, and
loved guitar brands around the world. Gibson is proud to unveil its first official
global release and partnership with Kirk Hammett, legendary guitarist of the
multi-platinum selling and GRAMMY® Award-winning band, Metallica. No other
guitar has earned legendary status like “Greeny,” the magical 1959 Les Paul
Standard, now owned by Kirk Hammett. For the first time ever, Gibson has
collaborated with Kirk to create “Greeny” for a worldwide audience to enjoy in
both a Gibson Custom Shop version, out now, and next month a Les Paul Standard
version from Gibson. The Kirk Hammett “Greeny” assortment is available through
Premium Gibson dealers, and via Gibson.com.
“I am very honored and grateful for this opportunity with Gibson,” says
Kirk Hammett. “To be able to share some of that mojo which ‘Greeny’ has means a
lot to me. It’s exciting to know that anyone can experience some of that
‘Greeny’ magic. I truly think these models are just as inspiring as the
original and hope you do too!”
“We are excited to continue the evolution of Greeny with the Gibson
Custom Shop Murphy Lab Aged Kirk Hammett ‘Greeny’ 1959 Les Paul Standard, and
on April 11 we’ll also be releasing the Gibson Kirk Hammett ‘Greeny’ Les Paul
Standard,” adds Cesar Gueikian, Gibson Brand President. “Kirk has been
inspiring musicians for decades, starting with his 1979 Gibson Flying V, and
over the years expanding his collection across many Gibson guitars. Over the
last 10 years since he became the custodian of Greeny, he has incorporated the
Greeny sound into everything he does, making it a staple of his Metallica sound
on records and on stages around the world. And as I said before, we’re just
getting started!”
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. Originally
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.
