Kirk Hammett, the lead guitarist for the legendary band Metallica since 1983, has cemented his place as one of the most influential figures in heavy metal guitar. Before his tenure with Metallica, Hammett honed his skills and co-founded the thrash metal band Exodus. Recognized for his distinctive and expressive playing style, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Kirk Hammett as the 11th greatest guitarist of all time in 2003. This article dives deep into the world of Kirk Hammett’s guitar gear, exploring the instruments, amplifiers, and effects that have shaped his iconic sound.
Kirk Hammett’s Electric Guitars: A Collection of Metal History
Throughout his career, Kirk Hammett has been synonymous with ESP guitars, particularly his signature KH series. Known for their custom finishes often inspired by the horror genre and specifically the work of Boris Karloff, these guitars are instantly recognizable. While ESP guitars are his mainstay, Hammett has also been known to wield Gibsons, most notably a black Les Paul Custom equipped with EMG pickups. Let’s explore some of the key guitars in Kirk Hammett’s arsenal.
1970s Gibson Flying V: The Exodus and Early Metallica Years
This vintage Gibson Flying V served as Kirk Hammett’s primary guitar during his Exodus days and continued to be a workhorse in the early Metallica era, featuring prominently on their first albums. Initially stock, the guitar underwent modifications in 1987, receiving EMG pickups and a Leo Quan BadAss bridge. This Flying V is a piece of metal history, having contributed to iconic tracks like “Fade to Black,” where Hammett utilized only the neck pickup for its melodic solo.
Fernandes Stratocaster: A Rare Sighting in the Ride the Lightning Era
Acquired around 1984, this black Fernandes Stratocaster made occasional appearances during Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning” tour. Modified with a Floyd Rose tremolo, a locking nut, and three Fender Lace Sensor pickups with black covers, this guitar showcases Hammett’s experimentation beyond typical metal instruments. While not as frequently used as his Vs, this Stratocaster demonstrates his versatility and willingness to explore different guitar styles.
Jackson Flying V “Randy Rhoads”: Master of Puppets and Beyond
This Jackson Flying V, often referred to as the “Randy Rhoads” model due to its resemblance to Randy Rhoads’ signature guitars, became a crucial instrument for Hammett. Featuring an alder body, neck-thru maple neck, EMG humbuckers, a Tune-O-Matic bridge, and Gotoh tuners, this guitar was put into service shortly after the recording of “Kill ‘Em All” in 1983. It played a significant role in the recording sessions for “Master of Puppets,” with Hammett reportedly recording almost the entire album with this guitar. Its enduring presence continues to this day, as he still uses it live for songs such as “Sad but True” and “The Memory Remains,” proving its lasting importance in his guitar collection.
ESP MM-270 “Zorlac”: The First ESP and a Live Staple
The ESP MM-270 “Zorlac” marked the beginning of Kirk Hammett’s long-standing relationship with ESP guitars. First used in 1987 during the “Garage Days Re-Revisited” era, this guitar became a familiar sight in the “Live Shit: Binge & Purge” DVD recorded in Seattle in 1989. It also accompanied him on the “And Justice for All” tour. Sharing the same core specifications as his other ESP guitars, the “Zorlac” is distinguished by a skull and crossbones graphic behind the bridge, lending it its nickname. This guitar is a testament to the early days of his signature ESP sound.
Gibson Les Paul Custom: A Classic Tone in a Modern Rig
Kirk Hammett’s black Gibson Les Paul Custom is a vital component of his guitar arsenal, offering a classic tone within his high-gain setup. Mirroring the specifications of his ESP guitars, this Les Paul is equipped with EMG humbuckers, Sperzel Locking Tuners, and a Tonepros Locking Tune-O-Matic Bridge. Purchased in 1989, it has been a constant companion ever since and can be seen in the “Live Shit” DVD performance of “Welcome Home (Sanitarium).” This guitar showcases Hammett’s appreciation for traditional guitar designs while maintaining his signature high-output sound.
ESP MM-290 “Caution”: The Black Album Era and Beyond
The ESP MM-290 “Caution” emerged during the iconic “Black Album” era and remains in use today. Featuring a black alder body, maple neck, EMG humbuckers, and a Floyd Rose bridge, it embodies the classic Superstrat configuration favored by many metal guitarists. Its distinctive visual elements include an orange “CAUTION HOT” sticker below the bridge and a smaller “Kirk’s Guitar” sticker above the neck pickup. Sometimes referred to as “Skull & Crossbones II,” this guitar is another example of Hammett’s preference for high-performance instruments with unique aesthetics.
ESP KH-3 Eclipse “Spider”: A Black Album Tour Companion
The ESP KH-3 Eclipse “Spider” is based on the ESP Eclipse series, offering a Les Paul-inspired single-cutaway body shape. Constructed with an alder body, maple neck, and fingerboard, it’s equipped with EMG 81 pickups and a Floyd Rose bridge. The “Spider” guitar debuted during the “Black Album” tour and continues to be played by Hammett, demonstrating its lasting appeal and versatility for both rhythm and lead playing.
ESP KH2 M-II “The Mummy”: Hammett’s Favorite Signature Guitar
Often cited as Kirk Hammett’s personal favorite, the ESP KH2 M-II “The Mummy” is a signature model based on the ESP M-II platform. Acquired in 1996 prior to recording the “Load” album, this guitar features a neck-thru-body design and is loaded with EMG-81 (bridge) and EMG-60 (neck) humbuckers, controlled by two volume and one tone knob. Its most striking feature is the body paint, inspired by the poster for the 1932 film “The Mummy” starring Boris Karloff, a graphic image Hammett owns the rights to. This guitar perfectly encapsulates Hammett’s personal taste and signature specifications.
ESP KH2 M-II “Ouija”: Supernatural Design and Metal Tone
The ESP KH2 M-II “Ouija” is another M-II based signature model, equipped with EMG-81/60 humbuckers and an original Floyd Rose bridge. Its defining characteristic is the custom graphic design featuring an Ouija board, inspired by the spirit boards used in attempts to communicate with the supernatural. The “Ouija” guitar stands out visually while delivering the high-performance metal tone expected from Kirk Hammett’s guitars.
ESP WaveCaster: A Unique Telecaster with a Twist
The ESP WaveCaster deviates from Hammett’s typical guitar choices, presenting a single-pickup (EMG-81) Telecaster-style guitar with a hollow Plexiglas body filled with blue-colored motor oil. This visually striking and sonically unique instrument made its live debut on the “Cunning Stunts” DVD in 1998 for the performance of “Am I Evil?”. The WaveCaster showcases Hammett’s willingness to experiment with unconventional guitar designs for specific sonic textures.
ESP KH-1 Flying V Signature Model: Modern V Design
Kirk Hammett began utilizing ESP Flying Vs around 1997, and the ESP KH-1 Flying V Signature Model represents his take on this classic guitar shape. Heavily influenced by the Gibson Flying V, these guitars incorporate Hammett’s personal modifications. All models feature EMG 81/60 pickups, but they vary in bridge and tuner configurations. His favorite is a black ESP Flying V with a Tune-O-Matic bridge and Gotoh tuners. He also owns a second black V with an original Floyd Rose tremolo and a third with the same specs but featuring only a bridge EMG 81 pickup. These guitars solidify his preference for the Flying V shape within the ESP framework.
ESP KH-2 M-II “Frankenstein”: Monster Graphics for the Stage
The ESP KH-2 M-II “Frankenstein” is a newer addition to Hammett’s collection, used notably during the Summer Sanitarium Tour 2000. This model is adorned with “Frankenstein” graphics on the body and the phrase “Warning! The monster is loose!” painted across the fretboard in glow-in-the-dark paint. At least three versions exist: green, red, and pink. The “Frankenstein” guitars exemplify Hammett’s penchant for incorporating horror themes into his guitar designs for a visually impactful stage presence.
ESP KH2 M-II “Dracula”: Horror Movie Inspiration Continues
The ESP KH2 M-II “Dracula” follows the same M-II base model and EMG 81/60 pickup configuration. Its distinguishing feature is the “Dracula” graphic, derived from a poster for the 1931 movie “Dracula.” This guitar further reinforces Hammett’s fascination with classic horror cinema and its integration into his guitar aesthetics.
ESP KH-2 M-II “Bride of Frankenstein”: Another Classic Monster
Used extensively in the 2010s, the ESP KH-2 M-II “Bride of Frankenstein” maintains the familiar KH-2 setup. The body paint is inspired by the 1935 movie poster for “Bride of Frankenstein.” This guitar is yet another example of Hammett’s consistent dedication to horror-themed artwork on his signature instruments.
ESP KH-2 M-II “Greenburst”: A Departure in Color
The ESP KH-2 M-II “Greenburst” stands out with its custom green sunburst finish, green inlays, and green logo, while retaining the standard KH-2 specifications, including EMG 81/60 pickups. Also used in the 2010s, the “Greenburst” offers a visually distinct alternative to his more common horror-themed guitars, demonstrating a wider aesthetic palette.
ESP LTD Kirk Hammett Signature “White Zombie”: A Modern Horror Tribute
Released in January 2014, the ESP LTD Kirk Hammett Signature “White Zombie” is a more recent addition to his collection. Equipped with his signature EMG 81/60 pickup set, it features a custom body paint inspired by the 1932 horror film “White Zombie.” This model showcases the continuation of Hammett’s horror-themed guitar designs in his signature line.
Kirk Hammett’s Guitar Amps: From Marshall to Randall
Kirk Hammett’s amplifier choices have evolved over the years, reflecting the changing sounds of Metallica and his personal preferences. From early Marshalls to Mesa Boogies and more recently Randall amplifiers, his amp selection is crucial to his signature tone.
– Marshall 1959 SLP 100W head: Used on Metallica’s debut album “Kill ‘Em All,” this Marshall head, originally belonging to James Hetfield, was shared by both guitarists due to budget constraints. Modified by Jose Arrendondo, Marshall amps, likely JCM 800 models, remained his choice for “Ride the Lightning,” “Garage Days Re-Revisited,” and the “…And Justice For All Era” albums.
– Mesa Boogie Mark IIc+: While Marshalls were still used onstage during the “Master of Puppets” era, Hammett transitioned to Mesa Boogie heads in the studio, starting with the Mark IIc+.
– Mesa Boogie Strategy 400: For “…And Justice For All,” the Mesa Boogie Strategy 400 power amp became part of Hammett’s main rack setup.
– VHT 2150-MJF Power Amp: A new addition to his rack for the “Black Album,” the VHT 2150-MJF power amp contributed to the album’s refined high-gain sound.
– Bradshaw CAE and Bogner Fish Preamp: Used for clean and low-gain tones on the “Black Album,” the Bradshaw CAE and Bogner Fish preamp expanded his sonic palette.
– Mesa Boogie Mark IV: Around the release of the “Black Album,” Mesa Boogie Mark IV amplifiers became a staple of Kirk Hammett’s live rig.
– Mesa Boogie Studio, Mesa Boogie Triaxis, Vox AC30: These amps were first utilized during the “Load” album sessions, adding further tonal variety to his recordings. The Vox AC30, in particular, hints at a broader range of sonic textures explored in this period.
– Matchless Spitfire and Cheiftain: Used during the “Re-Load” recording sessions, Matchless amps brought a boutique flavor to his amplifier collection.
– 1959 Fender Twin Reverb: A favorite of Hammett’s, the 1959 Fender Twin Reverb was used on “St. Anger” alongside his Marshalls and Mesa Boogies, suggesting a desire for a more classic, clean tone in certain contexts.
– Randall RM100KH: In 2007, Kirk Hammett partnered with Randall, incorporating their amps, cabinets, and preamps into his setup while still using Mesa Boogie amps. The Randall RM100KH is a signature model designed to capture his desired high-gain sound.
– Randall Meathead: Kirk Hammett’s latest amplifier, the Randall Meathead, designed by Mike Fortin, was introduced in 2013. This amp represents the culmination of his pursuit of the ultimate heavy metal guitar tone.
Kirk Hammett’s Guitar Effects: Shaping the Metallica Soundscape
Kirk Hammett is known for his extensive use of guitar effects, which are integral to his expressive playing style and the Metallica sound. While he has experimented with numerous effects over the years, some pedals have remained consistent staples in his rig.
– Ibanez Tube Screamer (TS-9/TS-10): The Ibanez Tube Screamer, in both TS-9 and TS-10 variations, is Kirk Hammett’s quintessential overdrive pedal. Used since Metallica’s debut album, it remains a crucial element in his live and studio setups, particularly for boosting his solos.
– DigiTech Whammy WH-1: The DigiTech Whammy WH-1 pedal has been a long-standing fixture in Hammett’s rig, used frequently for its pitch-shifting and dive bomb effects, adding a signature flair to his solos.
– Dunlop Wah Pedal & Vox Wah Pedal: Wah pedals have been essential to Kirk Hammett’s sound from the early Metallica albums. He initially used Dunlop Wah pedals and later incorporated Vox Wah pedals around the “…And Justice for All” era, showcasing a preference for the vocal-like sweep and expressive capabilities of wah.
– EMB Audio Remote Wah, Dunlop 1SR Rack Wah, Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Wah, Dunlop Dimebag Wah, Dunlop KH-95 Kirk Hammett Signature Wah: This diverse collection of wah pedals demonstrates Hammett’s continued exploration and refinement of wah sounds. From rack-mounted systems to signature models, his wah usage has evolved and expanded. The Dunlop KH-95 Kirk Hammett Signature Wah, released in 2008, became his go-to wah pedal.
– TC Electronic G-Major 2: The TC Electronic G-Major 2, controlled by his guitar technician, provides easy access to a range of effects, particularly those used in older Metallica songs. Prior to the G-Major 2, he utilized the original TC Electronic G-Major. This unit highlights his need for reliable and versatile rack-mounted effects processing.
– Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler, Line 6 MM4 Modulation Modeler, MXR EVH-117 Eddie Van Halen Flanger, MXR Bass Octave Deluxe, Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor, Digitech Space Station Pedal: These pedals represent a selection of modulation, delay, and utility effects that contribute to the depth and texture of Hammett’s guitar sound, encompassing flanger, octave, noise suppression, and more experimental sounds.
Kirk Hammett’s Guitar Strings and Picks: The Final Touches
– Guitar Strings: Kirk Hammett currently uses a custom set of Ernie Ball RPS Slinky strings. He combines the lighter gauge strings (.010, .013, .017) from the Ernie Ball RPS-10 Slinky set for the lower strings with the heavier gauge strings (.028, .038, .048) from the Ernie Ball RPS-11 Slinky set for the higher strings. In his early years, he favored standard 11-gauge sets. This hybrid string gauge choice reflects his need for both bendability on the higher strings and a fuller, heavier tone on the lower strings.
– Guitar Picks: Kirk Hammett uses his signature Dunlop KH01T088 picks. These picks are designed to his specifications, contributing to his playing style and tone.
Conclusion: The Legacy of Kirk Hammett’s Guitar Sound
Kirk Hammett’s guitar gear is a testament to his evolving sound and enduring impact on heavy metal. From his early Gibson Flying V to his signature ESP guitars, his instrument choices reflect a pursuit of powerful tone and expressive capabilities. His amplifier and effects selections further refine his sound, creating the iconic Metallica guitar landscape that has inspired generations of guitarists. Exploring Kirk Hammett’s gear provides valuable insight into the tools and techniques behind one of metal’s most influential guitar voices.
