2023 Gibson Kirk Hammett "Greeny" Les Paul Standard Greeny Burst

This 2023 Gibson Les Paul Greeny is Gibson’s tribute to one of the most famous Les Pauls ever made THE legendary 1959 “Greeny” associated with Peter Green, Gary Moore, and Kirk Hammett. More than just another great-looking Les Paul, the Greeny has a sound and personality all its own, centered around its famous out-of-phase middle-position tone.

This example has a beautiful figured two-piece maple cap over a solid mahogany body, finished in that unmistakable faded amber/honey-burst look. The figuring really comes alive from different angles without being overly dramatic, giving the guitar the worn-in appearance of a vintage Burst rather than something overly polished or modern. The mahogany back and neck complete the classic Les Paul recipe, while the bound rosewood fingerboard and trapezoid inlays keep everything unmistakably Gibson.

The mahogany neck has a comfortable “D” profile measuring approximately .89" at the 1st fret and .99" at the 12th fret, with a 12" fingerboard radius, 1-11/16" nut width, and traditional 24 3/4" scale. At 9 lbs. 5 oz., it feels substantial and resonant without being one of those brutally heavy Les Pauls.

The original Gibson pickups measure approximately 8.1k in the neck and 8.4k in the bridge. Individually, the pickups give you everything you'd expect from a good Les Paul....that thick rhythm tones, powerful bridge pickup bite, singing sustain, and smooth neck-position leads. Put the selector in the middle, however, and the guitar takes on that hollow, vocal, almost nasal tone that made the original Greeny so recognizable. It is a sound that a conventional Les Paul simply does not give you.

The guitar plays great with low action and proper neck relief, and the frets show minimal wear. The neck is straight and the truss rod functions properly in both directions. The original satin finish has been naturally rubbed into more of a glossy sheen from playing, and there are some minor surface scratches along with a small ding on the rear of the body and another around the neck heel. Nothing takes away from the overall presentation; if anything, it gives the guitar some of the naturally broken-in character that suits a Greeny perfectly. 

The reason to buy a Greeny instead of an ordinary Les Paul is simple: it still gives you all of the huge, thick, sustaining Les Paul tones you expect, but it has an additional voice that is completely its own. Whether you're chasing Peter Green blues tones, Gary Moore-style soaring leads, Kirk Hammett rock tones, or simply want a Les Paul that doesn't sound like every other Les Paul in the room, this guitar delivers.

And this one looks the part. Between the beautifully figured top, naturally aged-in sheen, comfortable neck, minimal fret wear, and distinctive Greeny electronics, it's a guitar you'll want to keep picking up once you have it in your hands. Whoever ends up buying this one is going to have an incredibly fun Les Paul in their arsenal and you'll want to grab it before somebody else does.