Kirk Hammett

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Kirk Hammett models the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Shop “Greeny” 1959 Les Paul Standard

“An amazing opportunity for more players to experience the spirit of Greeny”: the Epiphone Kirk Hammett ‘Greeny’ Les Paul is finally here – complete with a Gibson headstock and a price tag to match

By Matt Parker published

The most anticipated Epiphone model in its history hails the arrival of a new era of Inspired by Gibson Custom Shop models

Cesar Gueikian shows off the Epiphone Greeny Les Paul's Gibson-like headstock

“Please tell me that’s the new Epiphone headstock in general”: The Epiphone Greeny Les Paul is nearly here – and guitarists are losing their minds over the headstock

By Matt Parker published

Kirk Hammett and Cesar Gueikian have both teased the new model, offering glimpses of a build that looks much more faithful to Gibson’s own design

Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V

“A meticulous recreation of Kirk’s prized original”: Epiphone has launched a Kirk Hammett signature 1979 Flying V – and it’s a lot more affordable than the Gibson Custom Shop version

By Matt Owen published

Made in partnership with the Gibson Custom Shop, the Metallica man’s accessible Epi pays homage to “one of the most important heavy metal guitars of all time”

Kirk Hammett 1967 Fender Telecaster

“My go-to guitar in the studio”: This Fender Telecaster lived in Metallica’s HQ and became Kirk Hammett’s writing workhorse – now it’s going under the hammer

By Matt Owen published

The single-cut became an integral part of Metallica’s writing process, and helped craft St. Anger and Death Magnetic

Kirk Hammett playing Greeny

Kirk Hammett rarely plays guest solos, but he teamed up with folk-rockers Goodnight, Texas to deliver “an absolute vintage wah solo” on Greeny – hear it now

By Matt Owen published

Hear how the Metallica maestro helped the band usher in a heavy new sonic direction with the help of one of music's most famed Les Pauls in this Guitar World exclusive premiere

Kirk Hammett with his 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard 'Sunny'

“If Greeny was broccoli then Sunny is mango”: Kirk Hammett is selling a 1960 Gibson Les Paul that ranks among the finest ever made – he reveals how it compares to his most famous ’Burst

By Matt Parker published

Fame, flame and punchy tone – meet the ’Burst that has it all. And it’s yours for $500,000...

James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett

“We can do things with a Fractal that we can’t do with a real amp”: Kirk Hammett’s guitar tech reveals why Metallica converted to Axe-Fx

By Jonathan Horsley published

The Bay Area metal behemoths’ 2013 Freeze ‘Em All gig in Antarctica opened their eyes – and ears – to the potential of digital amp modeling

Kirk Hammett names his favorite wah

“It’s the greatest wah, for me, that’s ever been made”: Kirk Hammett owns 200 wah pedals, but this is his studio go-to – and it’s not his signature Cry Baby

By Matt Parker published

The Metallica guitarist says he uses someone else’s signature wah every time he’s in the studio

Gibson Greenybuckers and Kirk Hammett's USA signature Greeny Les Paul

Holy grail Greeny tone from any Les Paul? Gibson just made its Greenybucker pickups available as a standalone set for the first time

By Matt Owen published

Previously available only in Kirk Hammett's USA Greeny signature model, these $299 humbuckers were made in collaboration with the Metallica man, and in consultation with actual PAF specs

Kirk Hammett performs onstage

“I hate admitting this but I started bawling like a baby”: Kirk Hammett says his iconic ‘Greeny’ Les Paul recently had another gut-wrenching injury

By Matt Owen published

Another footnote has just been added to the iconic Les Paul's long medical history – but, as the Metallica maestro explains to Rick Beato, it could have been a whole lot worse

Metallica demo the Juanes signature Strat

“For 40 years, guitar manufacturers have been trying to get me to flaunt their product”: Lars Ulrich turns his hand to guitar demos for the first time – while Kirk Hammett shreds on a Strat

By Jonathan Horsley published

It’s only taken four decades, but Juanes’ signature Fender Strat is so cool that Lars finally feels comfortable sharing his guitar-playing capabilities as Metallica turn their hand to gear demos

Kirk Hammett

“I'm gonna do this intro all over for you”: Kirk Hammett fluffs the intro to Nothing Else Matters at first show of Metallica's US tour

By Matt Owen published

It's not the first time the Gibson and ESP signature artist has stumbled over the track's open-string heavy intro riff

Kirk Hammett performs onstage with Metallica in Gothenburg, Sweden on June 16, 2023

Kirk Hammett injures his knee onstage playing Master Of Puppets – but strides back in time for the solo

By Matt Parker published

Fan footage shows the Metallica guitarist clutching his leg between playing sections in the song’s opening minutes

Kirk Hammett (left) and Dimebag Darrell

Kirk Hammett remembers his last encounter with Dimebag Darrell: "I still regret not taking the time to have a full conversation with him"

By Jackson Maxwell published

The two last spoke backstage at the 2004 Download Festival, as Hammett frantically searched for a temporary replacement for an ill Lars Ulrich

Metallica

10 Metallica guitar techniques you need to know

By Charlie Griffiths published

How the rhythm and lead styles of James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett will power up your metal playing fast

Bass guitarist Cliff Burton (1962-1986) and guitarist Kirk Hammett pose for a studio portrait during the Damage, Inc. Tour on April 4, 1986. Geddy Lee of Rush attends the 32nd Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Barclays Center on April 7, 2017.

When Cliff Burton met Geddy Lee: “He started pacing, he started smoking pot, and he was like, ‘Oh my God!’”

By Nick Wells published

Kirk Hammett remembers when Rush frontman Geddy Lee showed up at a Metallica show

Gibson Kirk Hammett 'Greeny' Les Paul Standard

Gibson Kirk Hammett ‘Greeny’ Les Paul Standard review

By Dave Burrluck published

Following a pair of five-figure Custom versions, here’s the everyman Greeny. But is it a valid introduction or simply a slightly pimped version of an existing Les Paul?

Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield onstage in 2022: Hammett says he feels active pickups time is past

Kirk Hammett: “Maybe the age of active pickups is over”

By Matt Parker published

The Metallica guitarist says PAFs age better and he has been swayed away from active humbuckers for lead work – and James Hetfield agrees

Kirk Hammett favors the Epiphone Greeny Les Paul over its Custom Shop equivalent

Kirk Hammett says he prefers the Epiphone Greeny to the $20k Gibson Custom Shop version – here’s why

By Matt Parker published

The Metallica man says they’re all great “but my favorite version of Greeny is probably the Epiphone”

Eric Clapton, Johnny Depp, Derek Trucks and Gary Clark Jr. on stage at the Royal Albert Hall

Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Kirk Hammett and more close out first Jeff Beck tribute concert with star-studded rendition of Going Down

By Matt Owen published

Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, John McLaughlin, Johnny Depp, Gary Clark Jr. and many more all squeezed onstage to pay tribute to the late guitar great