For fans of heavy metal and iconic horror cinema, the ESP LTD Kirk Hammett Signature White Zombie Guitar is a striking instrument. This signature model, based on Metallica’s Kirk Hammett’s personal guitar, recreates the look and feel of his White Zombie themed axe, and is built for high-performance playing. Designed for high-speed shredding and aggressive tones, the KH-WZ combines distinctive aesthetics with professional features.
EMG Bone Breaker Pickups: Tone for Metal Mayhem
The heart of the White Zombie guitar’s aggressive sound lies in its EMG Bone Breaker active pickups. Developed in collaboration with Kirk Hammett, these pickups are engineered to deliver his signature high-output tone. With ceramic magnets and a powerful output, the Bone Breakers excel at producing tight, articulate distortion perfect for aggressive metal styles, from thrash to modern metalcore. Whether you’re chugging out heavy riffs or shredding blistering solos, these pickups provide the sonic foundation for serious metal mayhem. A versatile three-way toggle switch allows players to select between the neck pickup, bridge pickup, or a combination of both, offering a range of tonal options for different musical passages and styles.
Floyd Rose 1000: Divebombing and Tuning Stability
For players who love expressive whammy bar techniques, the Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo on the KH-WZ is an essential feature. This double-locking bridge system allows for extreme divebombs, soaring squeals, and subtle vibrato while maintaining rock-solid tuning stability. The Floyd Rose’s precision design locks the strings at both the nut and bridge points, ensuring that pitch returns accurately even after the most aggressive tremolo use. This reliability is crucial for live performances and studio recordings where consistent tuning is paramount. Furthermore, the bridge includes fine tuners, enabling players to make minute adjustments to each string’s pitch without unlocking the nut, ensuring perfect intonation.
Fast Neck and Playable Design for Shredding
The ESP LTD White Zombie is built for speed and playability, catering to the demands of high-velocity guitarists. The maple neck features an extra-thin U profile, meticulously shaped for fast and effortless shredding. This neck profile is designed to feel comfortable in the hand, facilitating rapid movements and reducing hand fatigue during extended playing sessions. The rosewood fretboard, adorned with 24 extra-jumbo frets, provides a smooth and responsive surface ideal for complex techniques such as legato runs, tapping, and sweep picking. The larger fret size also enhances note bending and vibrato control. Visually striking bat and spider inlays on the fretboard serve as a distinctive aesthetic element, paying homage to the White Zombie theme and adding to the guitar’s unique visual appeal. Complementing the fast neck are LTD die-cast tuners, known for their reliability and precision, and black neck binding which adds a touch of visual refinement.
White Zombie Aesthetics and Custom Case
Beyond its high-performance features, the White Zombie guitar immediately captures attention with its striking graphics inspired by the iconic horror film. This custom artwork ensures that this instrument is not just a tool for musical expression but also a visual statement. To protect this unique instrument, ESP includes a custom form-fitted case from Tombstone Case Company. The case is decorated with graphics matching the guitar’s White Zombie theme, providing stylish and secure protection during transport and storage. This attention to detail extends from the guitar’s playability and tone to its visual presentation and safeguarding, making the ESP LTD KH-WZ a complete package for discerning guitarists.
In conclusion, the ESP LTD Kirk Hammett White Zombie guitar is a potent instrument tailored for metal players who demand aggressive tone, high-performance features, and distinctive aesthetics. With its EMG pickups, Floyd Rose bridge, and fast neck, it is perfectly equipped for unleashing sonic mayhem. If you are a dedicated Metallica fan, a lover of horror-themed guitars, or simply a guitarist seeking a high-quality instrument built for speed and heavy tones, the White Zombie guitar is undoubtedly worth exploring.
