Gibson Custom Kirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom

Boasting a blacked-out color scheme, blacked-out hardware, and a starring role on Metallica’s legendary 1991 self-titled LP, the Gibson Custom Kirk Hammett 1989 Les Paul Custom replicates one of its namesake’s most iconic axes in expertly aged detail.

Limited to a mere 125 models worldwide (a fact that is sad but true), this guitar began life as a standard 1989 Les Paul with all the accouterments that entails, including a lightweight mahogany body, maple top, SlimTaper mahogany neck, and ebony fingerboard studded with block inlays. However, 30 years in Kirk’s hands has resulted in its fair share of mods and battle scars — the former taking shape in this guitar’s blacked-out hardware configuration, while the latter comes courtesy of Gibson Custom’s stunning Murphy Lab finish aging program. You also get a set of searing T-Type humbuckers requested by Kirk himself, in addition to a Fishman Powerbridge piezo system for plugged-in acoustic-like tones.

Wrap it all up in a VOS nitro lacquer coat, gorgeous top/back binding, and a jet-black ebony finish, and it’s clear that these highly limited axes won’t last long.