The accidental mistake that created a legendary guitar tone
In short: In 1964, Peter Green bought a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard for sixty guineas. By accidentally reversing a magnet in the neck pickup, he created a unique, out-of-phase sound that became one of the most sought-after tones in rock history.
The guitar, famously known as 'Greeny,' owes its signature 'nasal' sound to a technical anomaly. While attempting to emulate Eric Clapton, Green accidentally reinstalled the neck pickup backwards. This resulted in a magnetically out-of-phase configuration where one magnet is oriented north-to-south and the other south-to-north. Such a transition makes the tone react to pitch shifts, creating a distinct, hollow cry for high notes. This phenomenon occurs because the pickups are magnetically out of phase. This specific configuration allows the sound to respond to pitch changes.
The instrument's history is a journey through rock royalty. Following his recordings of hits such as Fleetwood Mac's 'Black Magic Woman', Green sold the guitar to Gary Moore during the early 1970s. Moore played the instrument for his entire career, notably on his famous track 'Parisienne Walkways.' Yet, economic struggles compelled him to sell it in 2006 for roughly $750,000 to $1.2 million. The instrument was originally purchased from the Selmer shop in London. It was used for the group's 1967 album, A Hard Road.
Today, the guitar is played by Metallica's Kirk Hammett, who acquired it in 2014 for less than $2 million. Hammett has used the instrument in both studio recordings and live performances, including a 2020 tribute concert for Peter Green. The guitar's influence is so profound that Gibson has released multiple replicas, including a limited 50-unit Collector's Edition in 2022, and musicians often perform the 'Peter Green mod'—flipping the neck pickup magnet—to emulate its magic. The guitar's unique sound has inspired various aftermarket components. These include the Bethnal Green humbuckers and the Green Magic set.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Greeny (guitar)
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