James Hetfield’s Unique Touch: The Story of ‘Roman,’ His Altered 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard

In the world of guitar ownership, some players meticulously care for their instruments, while others boldly make them their own. Metallica’s frontman, James Hetfield, exemplifies the latter with his 1959 Gibson Les Paul ‘Burst,’ showcased in his new guitar book, Messengers.

This particular Les Paul ‘Burst’ is one of five owned by Hetfield, and it stands out not just for its rarity but for the personal touch the musician has added. Named ‘Roman,’ this 1959 Les Paul Standard (serial number 9-2339) bears a distinctive mark – a massive ‘XII’ numeral carved into the back.

In Messengers, Hetfield shares insights into his guitar collection, featuring four Golden Era Gibson guitars, including the iconic ‘Roman.’ The Les Paul is named after Rick King, a vintage Gibson dealer who aided Hetfield in locating and assessing this prized possession.

The unique backstory of ‘Roman’ unfolds as Hetfield recounts the journey of selecting the perfect Les Paul Burst. He describes the experience of playing various guitars at a friend’s collection, ultimately narrowing down his choices to four. The chosen one, ‘Roman,’ earned its name from the Roman numerals ‘XII’ etched into its back – signifying that it was the twelfth guitar Hetfield played during the selection process.

James Hetfield, known for his history of personalizing guitars, continues this tradition with ‘Roman.’ From the OGV to ‘Uncle Milty,’ Hetfield has a rich history of graffiti and decoration on his instruments. While such modifications align with his distinctive approach to ownership, the significant alteration of a ‘Burst,’ particularly in the era of half-million-dollar price tags, sparks a debate about the nature of ownership of historic instruments.

This move by Hetfield, while bold, is a testament to his unique style and willingness to make his mark on the instruments he plays. It adds a layer of individuality to ‘Roman,’ making it not just a valuable guitar but a personalized work of art in the hands of one of rock’s iconic figures.

The story of ‘Roman’ also provides context to Hetfield’s extensive collection of ‘Bursts’ and raises questions about the nature of ownership in the realm of historic instruments. The guitar enthusiasts and fans alike are invited to delve deeper into the fascinating world of Hetfield’s guitar collection through the full Messengers tome.