Kirk Hammett
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Kirk Lee Hammett (born November 18, 1962) is the lead guitarist and a songwriter in the band Metallica and has been a member of the band since 1983. Before joining Metallica he formed and named the band Exodus. In 2003 Hammett was ranked 11th in Rolling Stone's list - The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
Equipment
Guitars
Hammett, along with rhythm guitarist James Hetfield, have been major endorsers of ESP Guitars since the 1980s. Hammett was only the second person to have a signature guitar with the company. He is best known for playing his signature model guitars, with EMG pickups and Ernie Ball strings.
In 2007, ESP Guitar Company announced the release of a 20th Anniversary Limited KH-20 Guitar to celebrate 20 years of relationship with Kirk Hammett (based upon the KH-2 guitar with some modification). Only 41 guitars were in production, with the price at $9,999.USD a piece.
In January 2009, ESP also announced the rare release of Hammett's famous "ouija" guitar, which was very limited and for 2009 only.
Hammett's love of horror movies is reflected in several of his guitars.
Kirk Hammett's current tour guitars:
- ESP M-II "Zorlac" - This was the starting line for the whole KH series.
- ESP M-II Standard - EMG and Seymour Duncan.
- ESP KH-2 "Skully" - Hammett's main touring guitar.
- ESP KH-2 M-II "Boris Karloff Mummy"
- ESP KH-2 M-II "Ouija" - This guitar contains 2 spelling errors.
- ESP KH-3 Eclipse - Pushead Spider graphic.
- ESP Flying V copy - Cherry Red with white pickguard and gold hardware.
- ESP Michael Schenker Flying V
- Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom
- Gibson Les Paul Standard - Used on songs from St. Anger.
- Jackson Randy Rhoads Model RR1T - Custom-Made specifically for Hammett.
- Teuffel Birdfish - Designed and produced by German guitar designer/builder
On the 25th anniversary of Metallica's Kill 'Em All, Kirk Hammett appears on the cover of Feb. 2008's Guitar World sporting his new custom ESP. This model is the KH20, the 20th anniversary model from ESP.
In the video for "One", Kirk Hammett is seen using what is most likely an ESP Vintage Plus. It appears however to be modified; it has a Floyd Rose tremolo, which could have been Hammett's own work or a custom model.
Amplifiers & Cabinets
Throughout Metallica's career, Hammett has used a range of different amplifiers. For the first two albums, he used Marshall amplifiers and cabinets, with occasional effects. For the recording of 1986's Master of Puppets, he and James Hetfield bought a Mesa/Boogie MarkIIC+ amplifier, and used Mesa/Boogies until he made his move to Randall Amplifiers in 2007.
In September 2007, Randall Amplifiers announced a partnership with Hammett to design a line of signature amps, heads, combos and preamp modules.
Hammett has also been seen using a wide range of different amplifiers in the studio and during live performances.
- Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (x2)
- Randall RM100KH Signature Model
- Randall 4x12 Cabinets (x4)
Effects
To avoid problems with pedals being damaged during live performances, Hammett keeps his effect pedals in a rack along with his amplifiers and his tech controls them through a pedalboard sidestage. The pedal controller allows him to change between different effect pedals and amplifiers.
In 2008, Jim Dunlop started working in partnership with Hammett to create a signature Wah-wah pedal, the KH95. It is now available to buy in stores.
- TC Electronics G-Major 2 effects processor
- Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor
- Dunlop KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Crybaby
- Ibanez Tube Screamer (Modded by Keeley)
- DigiTech Whammy WH-1
- Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler
- Line 6 MM4 Modulation Modeler
- Shure UR-4D Wireless Receiver
- GCX Audio Switcher
- Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro floorboard
- DBX 1074 Quad Gate
- MXR Eddie Van Halen Flanger
- MXR Bass Octave Deluxe
- DigiTech Space Station
Accessories
- Ernie Ball "Power Slinky" strings (.11-.48)
- Jim Dunlop Dunlop Jazz III picks(green)
- Levy Custom Straps
- Peterson Strobe 420 Tuner
- Bridge position: EMG 81
- Neck position: Some Guitars EMG 81 Others EMG 60
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