Epiphone Kirk Hammett “Greeny” 1959 Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar Greeny Burst

Few guitars embody the essence of rock ‘n’ roll to such an extent as the Les Paul. Synonymous with many of the finest players throughout history, the timeless silhouette has helped shape the sound of rocks greatest stars. While there are thousands upon thousands of exemplary models in circulation, not many have attained the notoriety of a particular 1959 Les Paul Standard dubbed “Greeny.” This illustrious instrument was originally owned by Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green, whose Les Paul tone throughout his tenure with the band became one of the most influential sounds of all time. Green later sold his iconic 1959 LP Standard to Thin Lizzys Gary Moore, who kept the guitar for three decades before it landed in the hands of Kirk Hammett from Metallica. Such a storied instrument is bound to have its charming quirks, which is why Epiphone and the Gibson Custom Shop teamed up to put a replica in the hands of players everywhere. The Epiphone Kirk Hammett “Greeny” 1959 Les Paul Standard allows every guitarist to experience the mojo of a certified classic.

Gibson USA Greenybucker Pickups

Peter Greens distinctive sound owes itself to his masterful ability, as well as to some happy accidents from the Gibson factory that produced his guitar. Original Patent Applied For (PAF) humbuckers were handwound using a machine that didnt count the windings. No two pickups were alike, and to Greens further advantage, the neck pickup was wound in reverse polarity. At one time, doing some of his own tech work, Green removed the neck pickup in his 1959 LP Standard and accidentally reinstalled it backwards with the pole pieces facing the bridge. These factors contributed to the sound created by the middle position on Greenys pickup selector, which became part of his signature tone that others have sought to replicate for decades. The Epiphone Kirk Hammett Greeny LP distinguishes these hallmark features with a pair of Gibson USA Greenybuckers, complete with a reverse-mounted, reverse-polarity neck position to sound the part of an iconic guitar.

Signature Greeny Burst

Collectors will tell you that what separates a decent vintage Les Paul Standard from an outstanding one is the quality of the flame maple top and how well it’s faded over the years. Greeny, being its fabled self, has a gorgeous flame and a dignified faded burst finisha testament to its stateliness. The Epiphone Kirk Hammett LP Standard comes with a maple top on a mahogany body, capped by a AAA flame maple veneer finished in a custom Greeny Burst. The guitar looks especially stylish without a pickguard, keeping in line with the authentic Greeny, and completing the characteristic image is a Gibson USA open book headstock. An homage to its inspiration, the Kirk Hammett Epiphone looks wise beyond its years.

Premium Hardware and Components

Trademark sonics and vintage looks separate Greeny from a “regular” Les Paul Standard, but its the consideration Epiphone has put into the hardware and components that further make this a noteworthy guitar. Everything is top-notch, including a Switchcraft pickup selector and 1/4″ output jack, CTS potentiometers, Mallory capacitors and Grover Rotomatic tuners. The Kirk Hammett Greeny also features mismatched pairs of volume and tone knobs, just like the original. This is a player’s guitar built to serve musicians, just as Greeny has done for three legendary guitarists over more than five decades.

Custom Neck Carve

The Epiphone Greeny rocks a one-piece mahogany neck with an Indian laurel fingerboard. Its carved to its own custom profile based on a rounded ’50s Les Paul neck, with 22 frets and a 12″ radius. Elite playability is a key ingredient of any Les Paul, and the Epiphone Greeny has plenty of it. The standard 24.75″ scale length provides just enough speed, even on thicker, rounder neck profiles like those from the ’50s and ’60s. Trapezoid mother-of-pearl inlays complete the classic look of the Epiphone Kirk Hammett Greeny.

Rarely does the opportunity to own a revered, mythical instrument come along. While Gibson has modeled the historic Greeny in the past, Epiphone presents it to a much broader audience. The attention to detail thats gone into reproducing a time-honored guitar is profound, but the ability to do so while also creating an instrument that stands on its own is perhaps most impressive. The Epiphone Kirk Hammett “Greeny” 1959 Les Paul Standard carries on the legacy shared by some of guitar history’s greatest treasures.