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New photo book by Metallica’s Kirk Hammett highlights his ‘holy grail’ of rare six-strings

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Among all electric guitars in Metallica’s M72 world tour arsenal, Kirk Hammett considers one to be his ultimate choice, referring to it as his ‘Excalibur’.

This is a 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar that was previously owned by the late Peter Green, an original member of Fleetwood Mac and a past Bluesbreakers guitarist. Subsequently, it belonged to Gary Moore, who used it in his favorite Thin Lizzy album, “Black Rose.

The coveted golden guitar has become a prized addition to Hammett’s extensive archive of antique and custom-crafted guitars, with “Greeny” standing out uniquely within this distinguished group. Notably, Kirk Hammett, the lead guitarist for Metallica, frequently scours YouTube in search of vintage footage showcasing Green, Moore, and others performing live on this iconic instrument throughout the decades.

Speaking as a devoted film enthusiast, I can’t help but feel the history this guitar carries – it’s endured so much pain and produced such beautiful melodies. All I can do is try to preserve its legacy in my unique manner.

A new book titled “The Collection: Kirk Hammett,” published by Gibson, now showcases the guitar in a prominent position. This 400-page coffee-table book features Kirk Hammett’s Metallica guitar collection and includes interviews with the heavy metal musician. The book also covers the histories of the guitars, complemented by Ross Halfin’s vivid photography.

The book doesn’t serve as a comprehensive inventory of his entire collection, instead, it delves into specific instruments in great detail. For instance, the section dedicated to “Greeny” spans an impressive 40 pages on its own. Hammett admits he isn’t sure about the exact number of guitars he possesses and prefers not to find out.

Currently touring alongside Metallica for their “72 Seasons” album, Kirk Hammett frequently switches between multiple guitars during performances. However, his focus often lingers on a specific instrument – “Greeny”. This is the guitar he always takes with him, from the shows to the hotel, and even up onto the band’s plane.

As its constant companion, I’m accountable for any incidents that befall it. Typically, my beloved ‘Greeny’ rests just a stone’s throw away when I lay my head down to sleep.

Apart from playing it himself, he’s shared the guitar with other musicians to experience. The book contains numerous images of Greeny with guitar legends, including Pete Townshend (from The Who), David Gilmour (of Pink Floyd), and Billy Gibbons (of ZZ Top). Mick Fleetwood, his previous bandmate on drums, is also shown holding the guitar. Similarly, Aerosmith’s lead singer, Steven Tyler, appears in one of those portraits.

During a 2020 tribute at the London Palladium for the late co-founder of Fleetwood Mac, everyone participated. That evening, Hammett performed the solo on Green’s “The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)” with a smooth stream of blues melody, a stark contrast to Metallica’s characteristic sharp sound. Afterward, Fleetwood rose and exclaimed, “Well done!” or “You nailed it!

Back in an event I attended, Sam Spade (Hammett) graciously passed his guitar to Jack White, who captivated the crowd with several tunes. Notably, Buzz Osborne from The Melvins has also cradled it, and during a podcast last year, he shared his feelings, “There are countless other frivolous ways one could invest their resources, but possessing that… is almost like discovering the Holy Grail or the Ark of the Covenant.

The new book by the author can be purchased on the official Metallica website, Gibson.com, as well as during stops on Kirk Hammett’s book tour. The upcoming tour will feature events in Columbus, Ohio; Philadelphia; Tampa, Fla.; and Denver. This is a busy time for Metallica, as they are releasing a remastered box set of their 1996 “Load” album in June. Additionally, the band is scheduled to perform with Black Sabbath at its final concert on July 5 in Birmingham, England.

In the book, it becomes apparent early on that these aren’t pristine artifacts preserved in museum-like settings. Instead, they bear the signs of wear from frequent use in the studio and on stage. Often, these items have been handled by various musicians over the years, leaving scuffs, scratches, chips, and stains. This worn appearance is exactly what Hammett finds appealing.

Hammett chuckles as he shares, “I can’t help but use them. It seems people need to remove their belts and leather jackets when dealing with a [collectible] guitar: ‘No zippers either.’ I’m left thinking, ‘What?!’

He simply states that he removes his guitar from its case, connects it, then strums it without any hesitation. He’s not particularly careful with his guitars, he explains, as a small mishap on a flawless vintage instrument could lead to a significant loss of value – up to thousands of dollars. This idea of treating guitars delicately rubs him the wrong way. For him, music is about playing the guitars, and if they get scratched or bumped, well, who cares? He doesn’t seek perfect instruments because perfect ones lack soul. They’re devoid of it, my friend.

Metaphorically speaking, Hammett was invited by Gibson Guitar Company to write a book, as they embarked on their publishing venture, starting with a compilation focusing on Slash’s guitars. Chris Vinnicombe, the chief editor at Gibson, is responsible for penning both books. According to Hammett, he views himself as the protector or caretaker of these extraordinary instruments like “Greeny” and others.

As a cinephile, I’d say it this way: “For me, it’s not about merely owning vintage classics to tick off a list. It’s about the thrill of the hunt, the charm of the stories they tell, and the romance that surrounds their rarity.

Previously, Hammett had released a book based on his collection of horror movie posters titled “It’s Alive” in 2017. His passion for collecting memorabilia from both horror and sci-fi films, as well as guitars, ranks highly. These interests often intersect, with Hammett owning several custom ESP guitars featuring horror themes, such as the iconic movies “Bride of Frankenstein,” “The Mummy,” and “White Zombie.” With his recent acquisition of a Bela Lugosi cape used in the 1948 film “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein,” he is now considering creating another guitar with this theme.

Up next is a book showcasing his old surfboard collection, he anticipates. One of those boards harks back to 1970 and features sketches of ocean waves and UFOs. Hammett was informed that it was crafted for Jimi Hendrix during the guitar legend’s stay in Maui, though he can’t verify this claim. “It’s still an intriguing tale,” he says with a chuckle.

In ‘The Collection,’ the musician specializing in metal delves into the historical background and unique sounds of specific guitars. Occasionally, the appearance of a guitar holds just as much significance as its sound.

As a starry-eyed teenager, the moment I laid eyes on an electric guitar in the corridors of De Anza High School, Richmond, California, was nothing short of love at first sight. From afar, I admired the older kids wielding a Fender Stratocaster, its glowing orange sunburst design reminiscent of a hot rod or a rocket ship. It seemed to me like a vehicle that could whisk me away to some far-off destination.

The aesthetic of guitars has always filled me with a sense of uplift and wonder. To my eyes, they are the epitome of coolness. From the polished wood to the gleaming metal, the strings, and the sound, I find myself captivated. In my opinion, it’s the most remarkable invention that America has ever produced.

Raised in a Bay Area household that frequently played a blend of jazz and opera, salsa, and musical theater, as well as records from the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix by his older sibling, he started mimicking the guitar using a tennis racket.

After a long wait, Hammett acquired his initial electric guitar – a low-cost Montgomery Ward model. In return for ten dollars and a Kiss album, he made this trade. The rock music of his teenage years, specifically Kiss, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and UFO, inspired him greatly. “It was the driving force,” he stated, “a mix of my turbulent childhood, not having any secure places to go, particularly growing up in San Francisco, and the emotional and mental refuge music provided from the chaos I experienced as a child.

During his high school years, he initiated a rock group known as Mesh. However, Hammett and his companions had limited musical skills at the time. He shares that one of the most amusing tales you can come across involve musicians when they first began, and how awful their initial abilities were, as well as the band names they chose. This statement is delivered with a chuckle.

Over time, as his abilities improved, he established a fresh band known as Exodus, becoming a key figure in San Francisco’s initial thrash metal scene. Later on, he switched to a replica of the Fender Stratocaster guitar. As his career advanced and things became more professional, he set aside funds from his job at Burger King to procure a Gibson Flying V in 1979. This decision was influenced by the guitarist Michael Schenker of UFO, who served as an inspiration. Both The Scorpions and Accept used Flying V’s, and Paul Stanley of Kiss also played one.

He expresses now that receiving his initial substantial guitar was a pivotal moment for him,” he states. “To this day, that particular guitar model continues to hold significance for him.” Notably, in both the front and back cover images of his latest book, he can be seen grasping a Flying V guitar.

In 1983, Hammett became part of Metallica, a move that seemed intelligent and inevitable looking back, but at the moment, Exodus was also an emerging band with a fanbase in the Bay Area. However, Exodus was facing some challenges when Hammett received an unexpected call from Metallica. He quickly prepared and headed east to join the recording sessions in Rochester, N.Y., just in time for them.

As a movie reviewer reflecting on my past, I struggle to recall the reasons behind our temporary break, but during that period, a division seemingly occurred within our ranks – a divide that’s challenging to explain any other way. We found ourselves experimenting with various substances, and in an instant, I felt estranged from my bandmates.

He emphasizes that last month marked the 42nd anniversary since he began practicing with Metallica as a member. “The first time I saw Metallica,” Hammett recalls, “I thought to myself, ‘Wow, these guys are amazing! But they’d be even better if I were in the band.’ This was a deliberate thought I had while watching them from the back of the room.

In collaboration, Metallica spearheaded the thrash metal revolution, which started as an underdog phenomenon beneath the Sunset Strip but has proven to endure longer than many commercial metal acts of the time. Fast forward to the present day, where they are now one of the most triumphant rock bands in history, and they commemorated this groundbreaking legacy by organizing a series of “Big 4” festivals in 2010 and 2011. These events showcased Metallica as one of the pioneering forces in that initial movement, alongside Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax – other key players from those early days.

A group photo in ‘The Collection’ features Derek Hattem (Hammett) and James Hetfield of Metallica along with other guitarists from the same tour: Kerry King from Slayer, Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, and Scott Ian of Anthrax.

In simpler terms, Hammett explains that they all found themselves drawn to the same new wave of British heavy metal bands, characterized by an intense and energetic sound. This is because the nature of these bands resonated strongly with their own personalities. He describes this shared movement as a collision of two influences – U.K. heavy metal and punk rock. To create and perform this music, one needed to be somewhat rebellious, slightly aggressive, a bit dysfunctional, and perhaps even predatory. Essentially, it was a mix of the right personalities and character traits that were essential for this genre.

2023 saw Metallica unveiling “72 Seasons,” the third installment in a trilogy, revisiting their classic sound with a contemporary twist. With this album, they’re performing these fresh tunes alongside iconic hits like “Enter Sandman” and “Master of Puppets” at stadiums globally. During these shows, Kirk Hammett has a variety of guitars to choose from, and “Greeny” is always his constant companion.

He remarks that the thrash movement’s sound wasn’t anticipated to last for so many decades. Initially, they believed themselves as outliers, enjoying our small circle of friends and playing music that we loved, purely for enjoyment. They were unaware of its potential impact on the future.

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2025-06-02 13:33

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