💰 A truly historic piece of rock memorabilia is hitting the auction block, giving fans a chance to own an instrument that helped close one of heavy metal’s biggest chapters. A unique Gibson SG guitar played by Metallica’s Kirk Hammett during the memorable “Back to the Beginning” concert—the event celebrating Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s final show—is being auctioned off for a worthy cause.
🎸 The Axe That Paid Tribute
The guitar in question is no ordinary instrument. It is a one-of-a-kind Gibson SG, custom-built by Gibson CEO Cesar Gueikian himself, dubbed the CEO#4. Hammett wielded this instrument on stage at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK, during Metallica’s set, specifically for their cover of the Black Sabbath classic, “Hole in the Sky.”
Following the performance—which took place weeks before The Prince of Darkness officially retired from touring—Kirk Hammett personally hand-signed the guitar. According to reports, the instrument remains untouched since that legendary night, still retaining the strings from the show. The guitar comes with a hardshell case and even a backstage pass from the historic event, adding to its immense provenance.
🤝 Rock for a Cause: The Charity Mission
The sale of this significant piece of metal history is part of the larger “Played, Worn & Torn” auction hosted by Gibson Gives, the instrument maker’s philanthropic division, and Julien’s Auctions.
The auction aims to raise funds for Gibson Gives, which supports non-profit organizations focused on music education, health, and wellness programs for musicians globally. The wider collection of instruments being auctioned, which includes gear from stars like Lzzy Hale and Pat Benatar, is part of a collective effort that has reportedly raised a massive sum—in the realm of $200 million—for various non-profit organizations over time. Owning this guitar means possessing a genuine relic from a landmark night in rock history while simultaneously contributing to music philanthropy.