ESP Signature Series KH-2 Vintage

General

The Vintage edition of the ESP KH-2 Kirk Hammett Signature comes fully beaten, scarred and broken in, giving the world a road-worn model that's seen decades of touring life straight out of the box. Crafted in Japan and directly based on Kirk's own gig-worn guitar, this six-string mimics every dent and ding as well as the full specifications of the original. As such, the KH-2 Vintage bears the same mid-eighties ESP Mirage MII body shape, the same pointed headstock, the same active EMG pickup load-out and even the same skull-and-bones fretboard inlay work.

Construction

The solid alder body comes coated in a weathered black paint job and features a neck-through construction, where the stable three-piece maple neck has been shot through the body to lay down extra sustain and resonance. Add on the rosewood fretboard and twenty-four extra-jumbo frets and you have an ultra-playable sidekick. In terms of sound, the Metallica guitarist has opted for a lightly milder and more dynamic EMG 60 pup at the neck, replacing the more fierce output of the original EMG 81 and making this model a touch more versatile. Meanwhile, the EMG 81 bridge pickup remains, so you're getting the same metal-focussed, high-gain response that Kirk has wielded for over twenty years.

The ESP KH-2 Vintage

While Kirk has more than a few ESP and ESP LTD signature models to his name, the KH-2 has to be the most enduring, making the KH-2 Vintage the holy grail of all KH-2 editions. The high-end neck-through construction, the Gotoh hardware, included Schaller strap locks, the EMG pickups and the mounted Floyd Rose Original Double Locking Tremolo bridge all combine to complete a fully primed and upgraded take on a legend. And, just so you know exactly what you've got on your hands, a suitably worn 'KIRK'S GUITAR' sticker has been slapped across the left horn and a 'CAUTION HOT' sticker has been placed just next to the controls. This one-off guitar comes complete with a hardshell case, plenty of case candy and a certificate of authenticity.