During last weekend’s highly anticipated “Back to the Beginning” special, Metallica’s Kirk Hammett dropped jaws not just with his shredding, but with a mysterious and utterly gorgeous Moon Burst Gibson SG. This isn’t just any Custom Shop guitar; its surprising origin has now been revealed: it was personally crafted by Gibson CEO Cesar Gueikian. Now, this unique instrument, dubbed the CEO4, is heading to auction for a worthy cause.
Moon Burst Gibson SG
The CEO4 stands out with its striking silver, lunar-inspired flame top colorway and powerful twin humbucker pickups. Its debut was perfectly orchestrated, as Hammett wielded it exclusively for Metallica’s cover of Black Sabbath’s “Hole in the Sky,” adding an extra layer of significance to its first public appearance.
This is Gueikian’s fourth one-off guitar in his exclusive “CEO Series” of guitars.
From Stage to Significant Impact: Supporting Gibson Gives
While the Moon Burst Gibson SG briefly graced Hammett’s hands, its journey is far from over. This extraordinary electric guitar is already making its way to an auction house, with every penny from its sale dedicated to Gibson Gives.
Since 2002, this incredible charity has been amplifying the power of music through various initiatives, raising over $4.5 million to date.
CEO Series
Each guitar in Cesar Gueikian’s “CEO Series” is custom-built and then auctioned off for charity. While all his builds are special, the CEO4’s connection to Kirk Hammett and its appearance during such a landmark heavy metal event makes it perhaps the most notable to date.
Gueikian meticulously documented the build process over six weeks on Instagram, revealing intricate details like the “12/13/24” inscription in the neck pickup cavity and the personal message on the back plate: “CEO-4. You are now a member of the DES family – Riff. Cesar.”
Gibson SG
This isn’t the only charitable music gear from “Back to the Beginning.” Gibson also auctioned off signed Ebony and Cherry Red SG Standards, autographed by rock legends like Tony Iommi, collectively raising approximately £35,000 (around $47,200).
These SGs paid homage to Iommi’s iconic choice of instrument, a decision famously born out of necessity when his preferred Fender Stratocaster encountered pickup issues before Black Sabbath’s debut album.
A Continuing Legacy of Innovation and Philanthropy
The CEO4 reinforces the enduring and fruitful partnership between Gibson and Kirk Hammett, a collaboration that has already given us a Murphy Lab aged reissue of Hammett’s 1989 Les Paul Custom and, of course, the legendary Greeny Les Paul.
As for what’s next, work is already well underway on the CEO5, a Flying V featuring a traditional Gibson headstock, promising more innovative and charitable creations from Gibson’s visionary CEO.
What do you think of Gibson CEO Cesar Gueikian personally building guitars for charity, and what kind of impact do you think the CEO4 will have at auction?
ESP/LTD Kirk Hammett Hot Deal
Be sure to check out the great ESP LTD Kirk Hammett Signature KH-WZ White Zombie deal this week.
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