The Greeny Les Paul, famously played by Kirk Hammett of Metallica, is one of the most celebrated electric guitars in rock history. Known for its unique tone, rich heritage, and connection to Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac, this guitar has inspired generations of guitarists seeking both classic blues warmth and aggressive metal bite. Kirk Hammett acquired Greeny in the early 1980s, and it quickly became one of his primary instruments, helping shape Metallica’s iconic sound on countless recordings and live performances. The guitar’s combination of vintage construction, distinctive pickups, and tonal versatility makes it a remarkable instrument for both collectors and professional players alike.
History of the Greeny Les Paul
The Greeny Les Paul was originally built by Gibson in the late 1950s and is a 1959 Les Paul Standard. Its nickname comes from Peter Green, the legendary Fleetwood Mac guitarist who owned and played it during the late 1960s. Greeny is particularly famous for its unique tonal characteristics, created by a reversed neck pickup that produces a warm, singing sustain and a slightly quacky, nasally midrange tone. This tonal signature helped Peter Green define his soulful, expressive style and later captivated guitarists across multiple genres.
Kirk Hammett acquired Greeny after discovering its unique sound and historic significance. As Metallica’s lead guitarist, Hammett used Greeny extensively in both studio recordings and live performances. The guitar’s ability to deliver both smooth, melodic lines and aggressive high-gain tones made it perfect for Metallica’s diverse repertoire. Over time, Greeny has become a symbol of guitar heritage, linking blues history to modern metal music through its use by two legendary guitarists.
Design and Features
Greeny is a classic Les Paul Standard, featuring a solid mahogany body with a carved maple top, set-in neck, and rosewood fretboard. Its signature feature is the reversed neck pickup, which contributes to its distinctive quack and harmonic richness. The guitar is equipped with two PAF-style humbuckers, individual volume and tone controls, and a three-way pickup selector. This straightforward setup allows for versatility while maintaining a vintage character that is instantly recognizable.
Body and Neck
The mahogany body of Greeny provides warmth and resonance, while the maple top adds brightness and sustain. The set neck design ensures excellent sustain and stability, and the rosewood fretboard provides smooth playability with comfortable string action. With a scale length of 24.75 inches, the guitar maintains the classic Les Paul feel, allowing players to perform everything from blues bends to fast, intricate metal solos. The body’s carved top and contours make it comfortable to play while standing or seated.
Pickups and Electronics
Greeny’s pickups are a key part of its legendary sound. The bridge pickup delivers a strong, punchy tone, ideal for lead lines and heavy riffs. The reversed neck pickup produces a unique midrange character, giving solos a singing quality that cuts through the mix without being harsh. The electronics are simple, with separate volume and tone controls for each pickup, but their interaction with the reversed neck pickup creates the distinctive Greeny quack when combined. This tonal versatility allows players to move effortlessly from warm, bluesy passages to aggressive metal tones.
Kirk Hammett and Greeny
Kirk Hammett’s association with Greeny has cemented the guitar’s place in modern rock and metal history. Hammett first used Greeny during the early years of Metallica, and it quickly became one of his favorite instruments. The guitar appears on numerous albums, contributing to the band’s signature riffing, melodic solos, and dynamic live performances. Hammett’s playing style, which blends fast alternate picking, melodic phrasing, and expressive vibrato, is perfectly complemented by Greeny’s tonal qualities.
Beyond recordings, Greeny has been a central part of Metallica’s live shows, where its responsive pickups and sustain allow Hammett to execute complex solos and expressive bends with precision. Its visual appeal and vintage aesthetic also make it a stage favorite, drawing attention from fans and fellow musicians alike.
Signature Features and Tone
Several features make the Greeny Les Paul unique and highly sought after by guitarists
- Reversed neck pickup, creating a quacky midrange and singing sustain
- Classic 1959 Les Paul body with mahogany and maple construction
- Set-in neck for enhanced sustain and stability
- Two PAF-style humbuckers for tonal versatility
- Simple controls that emphasize pickup interaction
These features combine to provide a tone that is warm, expressive, and highly dynamic. Greeny is capable of producing everything from creamy blues passages to cutting metal riffs, which explains why it has remained a favorite across different musical genres and eras.
Collectibility and Value
Greeny Les Pauls, especially the original 1959 model played by Peter Green and later Kirk Hammett, are extremely valuable and collectible. Their rarity, historical significance, and unique tonal characteristics make them prized instruments in the guitar community. Collectors often seek similar vintage Les Pauls with reversed neck pickups or guitars from the same era to capture a piece of this iconic sound. Limited edition reissues of Greeny also attract players who want to experience its tonal magic without acquiring the original vintage model.
Factors influencing value include the year of production, condition of the wood and hardware, originality of pickups, and historical provenance. Guitars associated with legendary players like Hammett or Green are especially coveted, and they often command high prices at auctions and private sales.
Modern Reissues and Replicas
Gibson and other manufacturers have produced modern reissues and replicas of the Greeny Les Paul to meet the demand from players and collectors. These models attempt to recreate the original tonal characteristics, including the reversed neck pickup and vintage-style humbuckers. While not every reissue perfectly matches the original’s unique quack, they provide an accessible way for guitarists to experience Greeny-inspired tones in both studio and live settings.
Many reissues include modern improvements such as upgraded tuning machines, improved electronics, and refined fretwork, while keeping the aesthetic and tonal essence of the original. This ensures that even contemporary guitarists can enjoy a versatile instrument capable of blues, rock, and metal performance.
Playing the Greeny Les Paul
Playing Greeny is an experience defined by its expressive tonal range and responsive pickups. The reversed neck pickup allows for harmonic richness and smooth solos, while the bridge pickup delivers aggressive bite for riffs and leads. Guitarists can use its vintage humbuckers to achieve warm, creamy tones for blues, or crank the amp for high-gain metal sounds. The guitar’s set neck, comfortable fretboard, and balanced body make it suitable for both standing and seated playing, and its versatile electronics respond well to a variety of effects pedals and amplifiers.
For Kirk Hammett, Greeny provides the ideal platform to combine speed, melody, and expressiveness. Its ability to handle fast alternate picking, intricate bends, and harmonics with clarity makes it a perfect fit for modern metal, while its vintage character allows for classic blues-inspired phrasing. This versatility is part of what makes the Greeny Les Paul such a timeless instrument for players of all levels.
The Greeny Les Paul played by Kirk Hammett is a legendary guitar that bridges blues history with modern metal. Its reversed neck pickup, vintage construction, and tonal versatility make it a unique and highly sought-after instrument. From Peter Green’s soulful blues to Kirk Hammett’s heavy riffs and soaring solos, Greeny continues to inspire generations of guitarists. Whether for collecting, performing, or recording, the Greeny Les Paul offers a rare combination of historical significance, exceptional tone, and expressive playability, solidifying its status as one of the most iconic guitars in rock history.