Some guitars transcend their physical form to become legends, imbued with the stories and the spirits of the musicians who played them. These instruments become more than just wood and strings; they become icons. Among these fabled guitars, Peter Green’s 1959 Les Paul, known affectionately as “Greeny Guitar”, holds a special place. Its story is intertwined with blues rock history, passing through the hands of not one, but two guitar titans: Peter Green and Gary Moore.
From Bluesbreakers to Fleetwood Mac: The Peter Green Era
In 1966, Eric Clapton’s departure from John Mayall’s Blues Breakers paved the way for a young and prodigious talent: Peter Green. It was during his tenure with the Blues Breakers that Green acquired a used 1959 Les Paul burst. This guitar would soon become synonymous with his name and his signature tone.
Green’s ambition led him to form Fleetwood Mac in 1967, seeking a purer blues sound. “Greeny guitar” became his constant companion, gracing countless gigs and recordings. It was during this period that the guitar’s unique sonic character began to emerge. Sometime during Green’s ownership, it’s believed a guitar technician accidentally reversed the magnet in the neck pickup. This seemingly minor mistake resulted in a distinctive out-of-phase sound when both pickups were engaged, a sound that became a hallmark of “Greeny guitar” and Peter Green’s playing. Green himself noted the Les Paul’s substantial neck profile, describing it as feeling like a “tree trunk” compared to other Les Pauls. His innovative playing and the unique voice of “Greeny guitar” deeply influenced many guitarists, including Jimi Hendrix and Gary Moore.
Gary Moore’s Beloved “Greeny”
In 1972, Peter Green, seeking a change in his life, offered “Greeny guitar” to Snowy White. However, White couldn’t afford both “Greeny” and his own prized 1957 Goldtop Les Paul. The guitar then found its way to another rising star, Gary Moore. Moore, who had long admired Green’s playing and tone, christened the guitar “Greeny”.
During Moore’s ownership, “Greeny guitar” endured a significant mishap. While in a flight case in the trunk of a car, a truck collided with the vehicle, resulting in a broken headstock and a cracked neck. Renowned luthier Charlie Chandler expertly repaired the damage, ensuring the guitar’s playability and sonic integrity were preserved. Moore often recounted that legendary guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, and Rory Gallagher had also played “Greeny” at some point, further adding to its mystique.
A detailed inspection in June 1984 by Jol Dantzig of Hamer Guitars confirmed the unique pickup configuration. Dantzig noted, “everything was stock… but the magnet was reversed on one pickup… it must have been a mistake at the factory.” This factory anomaly was, in fact, a key ingredient in the “Greeny guitar” sound.
Moore wielded “Greeny guitar” as his primary instrument for many years, both with Thin Lizzy and throughout his successful solo career. Even after acquiring another 1959 Les Paul, which he named “Stripe,” “Greeny guitar” remained exceptionally special to Moore. He continued to tour with it extensively throughout the 1990s.
From Auction Block to Metallica: The Modern Chapter
As vintage 1959 Les Pauls soared in value, “Greeny guitar” became increasingly precious. By the late 1990s, Moore kept his prized guitars under tight security. In 2006, facing unexpected financial obligations due to a hand injury that forced him to cancel a tour, Moore made the difficult decision to sell “Greeny guitar”. He sold it to Phil Winfield at Maverick Music. While the exact sale price remains undisclosed, internet rumors place it between $500,000 and $1.2 million. For a time, Maverick Music listed “Greeny guitar” for sale at a staggering $2 million.
In April 2013, Joe Bonamassa had the rare privilege of playing “Greeny guitar” during a performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Bonamassa, a well-known guitar aficionado, remarked on the experience: “As for Greeny, It plays great… Nothing wrong with the ole girl. Plays really slinky and intonates great… the out of phase thing was surreal… The history made on that guitar is stunning.”
The next chapter in “Greeny guitar”‘s story began in July 2014 when Kirk Hammett of Metallica became its owner. While some blues rock purists expressed surprise at a metal guitarist acquiring such a blues icon, Hammett’s deep appreciation for Gary Moore’s playing and tone is well-documented. Ultimately, the acquisition by Hammett ensures that “Greeny guitar” remains in the hands of a passionate musician who will continue to make music with this legendary instrument, rather than it being confined to a museum.
“Greeny guitar”‘s journey is a testament to the enduring allure of certain instruments. From its accidental out-of-phase wiring to its storied past with Peter Green and Gary Moore, and now its place in Kirk Hammett’s collection, “Greeny guitar” continues to captivate guitarists and music lovers worldwide. Its legend lives on, amplified by each note played on its hallowed fretboard.
(Gear up your tone! For a deep dive into Gary Moore’s signature sound, check out the Gary Moore Gear Guide.)
