Epiphone Collaborates with Metallica’s Kirk Hammett to Release “Greeny” 1959 Les Paul Standard Globally

Nashville, TN – Epiphone, the Nashville-based guitar manufacturing company, has recently announced its latest global offering, the “Greeny” 1959 Les Paul Standard, in partnership with Kirk Hammett, renowned guitarist of Metallica. This landmark collaboration also involves the Gibson Custom Shop.

The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Kirk Hammett “Greeny” 1959 Les Paul Standard is now available at all authorized Epiphone dealers. This model embodies a new era of high-end features for the company. From incorporating the Gibson open-book headstock, a feature not seen on production Epiphones since the ‘80s, to Gibson pickups and electronics, this guitar is truly unique. Complementing these features, the guitar also includes a single piece neck and mother of pearl inlays.

“I think Greeny is a guitar of the people and this is an amazing opportunity for more players to experience the spirit of Greeny.”, says Kirk Hammett, expressing his excitement with the availability of “Greeny” to the global audience.

Throughout the process of creating this model, Kirk was deeply involved to ensure the resulting guitar maintained the same sound and feel as his original “Greeny”. According to Mat Koehler, Vice President of Product at Gibson Brands, this collaboration was a labor of love and a pursuit of perfection, stating, “It was extremely important for him that we get it right.”

“Greeny” has a rich history, having passed through the hands of three legendary guitarists. It was first owned by Peter Green, during his tenure with Fleetwood Mac, then it was sold to Gary Moore, who used it for his three-decade career with Thin Lizzy and as a solo artist. Now owned by Kirk Hammett, “Greeny” continues to inspire and captivate audiences with its distinctive sound, partly attributed to the out-of-phase middle switch position due to the neck pickup’s reversed magnetic-polarity.

This collaborative effort between Epiphone and the Gibson Custom Shop represents not only a noteworthy product release, but also sets a new standard for Epiphone’s future offerings.

Tags: Fleetwood Mac, Gary Moore, Gibson Guitar, Metallica, Peter Green, Thin Lizzy