Green Guitar Project Prototype #1 – Black Sparkle – Handmade USA – Mike Shinoda / Linkin Park Rehearsal-Used
Some guitars have a great story. This one marks the beginning of an entire project.
Handmade in Nashville, Tennessee, by Sean Paden, this is Prototype #1—the first realized prototype under his Green Guitar Project brand. Built around the goal of creating extremely stable, lightweight instruments from repurposed tonewoods that would otherwise be discarded, it combines thoughtful construction, a minimalist design, and a striking appearance.
The neck and body incorporate maple, poplar, and birch, paired with a walnut fingerboard. Its Black Sparkle finish looks incredible beneath a shiny, glossy, water-based clearcoat. At just 6.3 pounds, it is comfortably lightweight, remarkably loud acoustically, and responsive when plugged in. This is a serious player’s instrument with a history to match.
MIKE SHINODA / LINKIN PARK HISTORY
According to its builder, Sean Paden, this guitar was used extensively by Mike Shinoda during rehearsals for Linkin Park’s A Thousand Suns tour. Sean explains that its use led to the band commissioning several additional guitars for Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington.
A written statement from Sean Paden detailing this instrument’s history will be provided with the guitar. We also have photographs supplied by Green Guitar Project supporting its connection to the band. Its documented history is rehearsal use.
BCR owner Jarred has previously owned more than one instrument formerly belonging to Linkin Park, making this another special connection to a band whose gear has passed through his collection.
ABOUT SEAN PADEN
Sean is a good friend of BCR and an experienced builder and touring guitar technician who spent more than a decade working with Linkin Park. As Brad Delson’s guitar technician and the band’s backline crew chief, he maintained the guitars and complex amplification, effects, and control systems behind their live performances. His broader career includes work with artists such as KISS, Guns N’ Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, and Rage Against the Machine.
Green Guitar Project brings that practical experience to instruments built with reclaimed materials, purposeful construction, and an individual aesthetic. This first prototype represents the foundation of that approach.
PLAYABILITY & FEATURES
This guitar plays beautifully. The 22 medium jumbo frets are in spectacular condition, and the instrument feels lively and responsive in the hands. A DiMarzio Chopper bridge pickup, Gotoh bridge, and Planet Waves Trim-Lok tuners complete its straightforward, performance-focused design.
Specifications:
Builder: Sean Paden
Brand: Green Guitar Project
Instrument: Prototype #1
Construction: Handmade in Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Neck/body woods: Combination of maple, poplar, and birch
Fingerboard: Walnut
Frets: 22 medium jumbo
Pickup: DiMarzio Chopper bridge pickup
Bridge: Gotoh
Tuners: Planet Waves Trim-Lok
Finish: Black Sparkle with glossy water-based clearcoat
Weight: 6.3 pounds
Artist history: Used by Mike Shinoda during rehearsals for Linkin Park’s A Thousand Suns tour, per Sean Paden
Documentation: Written statement from Sean Paden to be provided; supporting photographs from Green Guitar Project
A distinctive handmade American instrument, the first prototype of its brand, and a documented connection to Linkin Park—all in a guitar that deserves to be played.