Kirk Hammett Reveals Why He Tried to Return Neal Schon's Rare 1957 Gibson Les Paul After Buying It for Far Below Its True Value

"I really felt like I should have paid more," admitted Kirk Hammett, recalling the remarkable story behind one of the most unusual guitars in his collection. The Metallica guitarist even contacted Neal Schon after purchasing the instrument, offering to return it because he believed he had acquired it for significantly less than its actual market value.

The guitar at the center of the story is an exceptionally rare 1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard equipped with P-90 pickups and finished in an uncommon factory black color. The instrument was originally part of Neal Schon's personal collection before being offered for sale through Heritage Auctions in 2021 as part of the Neal Schon Collection.

According to published reports, the guitar sold for $87,500 during the auction. Even so, Kirk Hammett later explained that he believed the winning bid represented only about half of what the instrument was truly worth.

Today, the vintage Gibson Les Paul remains an important piece of Hammett's celebrated guitar collection, but there was a moment when he seriously considered returning it to its previous owner.

Speaking during a live appearance in Dublin as part of Gibson's promotional tour for The Collection: Kirk Hammett, the legendary guitarist reflected on the experience and his admiration for Neal Schon.

According to Hammett, the guitar had belonged to one of his greatest musical heroes and lifelong inspirations.

He explained that he was surprised by the final auction result, saying that he simply couldn't believe how little he had paid compared to what he felt the instrument deserved to sell for.

That unexpected bargain left him feeling uncomfortable.

Rather than celebrating the purchase, Hammett admitted he felt guilty because he believed the final price did not accurately reflect the guitar's true value.

As a result, he decided to contact Neal Schon personally.

During their conversation, Hammett asked a simple question:

"Do you want your guitar back?"

The response immediately put his concerns to rest.

Neal Schon declined the offer without hesitation, telling Hammett to keep the instrument because it had been purchased fairly through the auction process.

According to Hammett, Schon simply told him:

"You bought it. It belongs to you."

Reflecting on the exchange, Kirk Hammett spoke warmly about the Journey guitarist, describing him as not only an exceptional musician but also one of the people who helped shape his own musical journey.

He praised Neal Schon for his extraordinary dedication to music, his lifelong commitment to the guitar, and the passion that continues to define his career.

For Hammett, Schon represents the kind of artist who truly lives and breathes music every single day.

Watching how Neal Schon approaches both his playing and his life has served as a lasting source of inspiration throughout Hammett's own career.

He explained that seeing such unwavering commitment motivated him to pursue the very same path, dedicating his own life completely to music.

Those interested in exploring the guitarist's remarkable instrument collection can also order The Collection: Kirk Hammett directly through Gibson. Meanwhile,