“Joe Bonamassa texted me and said, ‘I know you love that black Les Paul. It’s at Carter Vintage right now. Call them ASAP!’”: Kirk Hammett says he only got his ultra-rare Factory Black ’59 Les Paul thanks to the help of his collector friend

Joe Bonamassa and Kirk Hammett.

Kirk Hammett is well known for his love of vintage Gibsons – with his collection including, of course, the iconic Greeny, not to mention his stunning 1960 ’Burst Sunny – but back in March, he acquired one of the rarest LPs in existence: a Factory Black 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard.

Now, in a new interview with Total Guitar, Hammett reveals that it took him more than a decade to acquire the instrument – and that he owes his eventual success to his friend (and renowned vintage guitar expert) Joe Bonamassa.